January on the allotment

Hi all,
January isn't known for being the busiest time on the plot but we've got a few updates for you!
First of all, here on the left are some leeks harvested from the lottie this afternoon. (The little one is one of our electras, the big ones are from Bill's plot!) They are now in a lovely leek and potato soup ready for tomorrow's lunch!
We've also gone a little bit early (on Bill's advice) and sown a few Costoluto Genovese tall vine early indeterminate tomatoes from the Real Seed Co. and are hoping they'll germinate nicely on the windowsill soon :)
Thanks to all of our followers on Twitter who helped us choose which seed potatoes to chit this year. We've gone for;

1st earlies - Swift, Arran Pilot, Duke of York.
2nd earlies - Vivaldi, Kestrel.
Maincrop - Maris Piper, Cara, Picasso, Kind Edward, Rooster.
They're out chitting now and we'll let you know how they're getting on throughout the year. Everything else in the lottie is going strong and growing slowly but surely.
Today is also a very special day as the first snowdrop from the bulbs we planted back in Autumn has been spotted just poking through the grass - Spring is on its way! K&C

Green Shoots (and wonky leeks)

Hi Allotmenteers!

Its been a while since we've had an update here at Allotment (not so...) Virgins and we're celebrating our 1st Birthday with some green shoots!

This is one of our shallot sets that, along with the onions and garlic, is now popping its head up after having survived the snow and hungry foxes :)

This is the first of our bulbs that's poking through. This is an allium christophii but its the snowdrops which are the most greatly anticipated bulbs, heralding the end of a long winter!

Now our thoughts turn to what to plant this coming season. Potatoes are the crop of choice, we're deciding which varieties to go in and prepping their bed with leaf mould and compost. We need an early, 2nd early, maincrop and late winner from you guys (thanks for the tips on Twitter) which will hopefully provide potatoes until next Christmas.


And for the wonky leeks, well there's not a pic of the ones just harvested but next time we'll show you the crazily shaped (but yummy) electras!

Love AllotmentVs xx

Autumn on the plot

Hi everyone!  We've been very busy on the plot recently, saying goodbye to all of our sunshine crops and starting afresh with a new rotation for autumn and winter.


Here's a pic of one of our new beds that have some new blackcurrant canes in (thanks Bill!) and lots of the lovely allium family at the back. We have Senshyu yellow Japanese onions, Jermor shallots, Electric red onions and French thermidrome garlic as our allium autumn varieties in for overwintering, bring on June!

Here's our plucky globe artichoke plant which has grown considerably since it arrived from Katy this summer. Here it is all tucked in to keep it safe from the frost (eek! not yet please!)

Yum, blackcurrant jelly this summer please!

Our new layout, we have planted some spring bulbs in the front for some early colour.

Little Electra leeks - getting stronger so fingers crossed for a few later in the season! K&C