The allotment crew are back!

A bit dreich and chilly for the first day back at the plot. Too damp for a bonfire, but a few Winter tasks kept us busy and relatively warm up to lunchtime.

Now is a good time for getting out the alkanet as the leaves appear before comfrey so are much easier to identify. We made sure to stick to the bed borders and along the windbreak to avoid compacting the soil within the beds, breaking off leaves for the compost bin but disposing the roots in the “bad weeds” bag. These spread like wildfire.

It’s a good time of year for repairing structures and today we shored up woodwork supporting the windbreak. A few hardy crops have hung on through the Winter months, so we harvested leeks, spinach and some weather-worn purple sprouts.

Way back in August, we’d experimented with storing tatties by “clamping” them underground. Today we dug these up and were pleased to find they’d remained pristine and fresh. Clearing up for the day, we came across a box of stored apples, Autumnal jewels on such a dull day, and still quite firm from being stored in our cold shed.

Jobs for next week: sharpen tools; cut back the hazel; weed; check seed dates and labels prior to our Winter fruit pruning workshop; light a bonfire if conditions allow

NOTE:  The Winter Pruning Workshop is now fully booked – and has a waiting list!  But there is a video when George pruned the apples at Saughton during the pandemic restrictions and a handy advice sheet.