A very Scottish word to describe the work on the allotment this week!

Chankin again today!

Despite the bright skies, today’s heavy frost was not for moving. On average, we all had 5 layers on. We’re getting well acquainted with the resident robin who suddenly appears as if by magic each week, optimistically hoping for some digging and worm unearthing.
A bit more edging was done and another bed repaired with fresh timber. Heavy winds earlier in the week had dislodged protective netting from the winter veg, so we sorted this. We took the netting off the fruit cage and rolled it away for the winter. Next week, if the ground has thawed, we’ll stake and net the currant bushes to prevent fat pigeons from landing on and breaking delicate branches.

Removing the fruit cage netting for winter

As the ground remained hard, there was not much else to do, so we had a coffee to warm up, then left – hoping for milder conditions next week.

Jobs for next week: if conditions allow – plant garlic, so the frost over winter can help the bulbs divide into cloves; stake and net the currants and spread potash from recent bonfires around the fruit trees; begin coppicing the hazels, now their leaves have fallen; plan for completing the windbreak fencing, as the main posts are now in place; harvest carrots, leeks and brassicas