Plot progresses as Chelsea Flower Show approaches!

So...thanks to the skill and generosity of fellow allotmenteers, the roof is mended by a surveyor (obviously), W put the guttering up, the current water butt is a neighbour's discarded dustbin. Round at the front, bulbs and plants all transported from previous plot, shallot and onion sets planted and netted, broad bean seedlings still on window ledge at home. Lavender hedge will hide the compost heap and incinerator.

Pot Luck: A few potatoes in bottomless black container also behind lavender.

I've decided my deadline for getting the plot decently shipshape is the Chelsea Flower Show - talking of which, for tickets or details, check it out on

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2010

or call 0844 209 0357

I'm hoping to get lots of ideas for creative planting and design!

The Plot Deepens

Hot news from the plot. I'm abandoning my perfectly formed half-plot for a whole one which already has its own hut (castle to me) with view of a Palace. How many of you can boast that? It may not look much...spot of bother with the roof, the grounds have an air of abandonment, but watch this blog and see what a spot of TLC can achieve in a few months.

The Good Life at The Garden Museum

Don't miss this delightful exhibition about the last 100 years of allotments and growing-your-own. I mentioned it when it opened last October and it's now the last week - closing March 7. Full of inspirational memorabilia with original booklets such as "Cloches versus Hitler - a simple guide to intensive vegetable culture" by Charles Wyse Gardner. The Museum shop and cafe pretty irresistible...

www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/

Ordered your potatoes?

If not, don't panic. Out of season, I unexpectedly needed to photograph chitting potatoes. My spud expert mates said there was no way I'd get hold of any. Then I remembered my fav magazine, Kitchen Garden, which is essential reading for all plotholders, had recommended Jamieson Brothers some months earlier. Sure enough, at a weekend, they flew to my rescue and, a few days later, diminutive and perfectly formed spuds ready for chitting arrived in the post. My next experiment is growing them much too early in pots on the balcony. So if you haven't already ordered your Earlies and Maincrops don't panic, just click on the link: http://www.jbaseedpotatoes.co.uk/ Judging by my experience, they'll help if they can.

And don't forget to look at their "potatoes for Christmas" offer. Plant in September, on the plate on Christmas day...

A twitter over a robin

So...my best weekend sightings for the RSPB Birdwatch hour were, not in the allotment, but in a friend's central London garden. With delight we identified blue tits, coal tits, thrush, goldfinch and wren darting about. The trouble came with the robin. "It's male," said PF authoritatively and the great debate began. Is a female robin's breast as red as a male's? I'd had this discussion with another friend over Christmas. Could someone, please, clarify?

RSPB Birdwatch Weekend

It's countdown time to count up the birds

The weekend: January 30/31

Length of counting time: one hour

Just put that fork down for one hour and put your feet up. If (lucky you) you have both garden and allotment, the RSPB would prefer you to count the birds in your garden or better still count first in your garden, then count in your allotment. If you have neither, go to your local public garden.

What's all this about? To quote the RSPB: "The Big Garden Birdwatch has never been more important than it is today...birds are disappearing in scary numbers. We've lost more than half our house sparrows, three-quarters of our starlings...These surveys help us spot problems and are the first step to help aid a species recovery".

Imagine gardening without the company of a robin or a blackbird, without the song of a thrush, the courage of tits mobbing a thieving jay - as I saw last year. Imagine just sitting down quietly for one hour next weekend. No guilt, you will be contributing to a vital piece of research.

Click on the link for details: www.rspb.co.uk/birdwatch/

Don't-have-a-pop-at-a-parakeet...

And in response to the comment "Is it true that you can now shoot parakeets?" the RSPB, who kindly sent me an illustration of one, respond:

Parakeets are not an indigenous species to Britain. However, there is currently no evidence in the UK of them causing a problem for native species. If an animal's population is causing damage or a nuisance to people or property, then landowners can apply for a licence from Natural England to control them. Parakeets have been moved on to the General Licence which does mean no application has to be made. But anyone who wants to control parakeets must be able to prove that they have a good reason for doing so.

see the relevant RSPB blog: www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/news/archive/2009/10/02/don-t-have-a-pop-at-a-parakeet.aspx