Still cropping on the Allotment
The sun was shining and there was no wind, so it was a good day to do some repairs on the willow/hazel windbreak we have on the north side of the plot. It has been up for several years now and has not been blown down by the winter gales (unlike our previous windbreaks). It is not quite as upright as it once was, but it still does the job. We use the hazel and willow prunings from the trees on the plot, so the best of renewables and the bonfire got rid of the remainder and the rotten wood and also warmed our hands!
Repairing the windbreak
The blueberries prefer a reasonably acid soil, so we have a layer of leaves on them and also are adding used coffee grounds and tea leaves to the soil all with the aim of keeping the soil acid enough and not giving them a peat mulch each year. This is the only use of peat we have on the plot.
There are still leeks to be cropped, pak choi, the last of the Jerusalem artichokes, flat parsley and some potatoes, and next week there should be the start of the purple sprouting broccoli. We had to raise the netting again on that to stop the pesky pigeons sitting on the tops of the plants and shredding them through the holes.
Jobs for next week
- Manure round the fruit
- Prepare the new strawberry bed
