It's all going so bloody well...

The track up to our bit

The pessimist in me is waiting for something to go badly wrong with the plot; an outbreak of blight, bindweed or some other grim pestilence to befall us. But nothing has yet. In fact, since we've taken on this former pigeon loft, everything we've put into the ground has done perfectly well. Considering this was basically a rubbish dump only a few short months ago, I'm impressed. Impressed, surprised and delighted.

Putting down the final paths

Over the last few weeks we've completed some minor infrastructure work, putting down plastic and shingle to create the last of the paths between newly installed raised beds.

Some horrid stuff came out of here

Over the course of a couple of afternoons I dug over the last remaining patch in which I expect to find large amounts of glass, plastic and assorted weird and nasty rubbish. It's slow work, as you sieve through the topsoil using old shopping baskets, but, as with all the other patches, we've been left with the finest clay-free tilth you could imagine. It's so easy to work.

Sowing

We've committed some more seeds and plants to the earth, some of which directly as here.

Borlotti in

Elsewhere, as with these borlotti beans, plants germinated on our window sill at home are rehoused where they'll spend the rest of their days.

Planting beans gives the chance to get some cane pyramids on the go, which adds a bit of height and interest to the plot.

Greyhound cabbage

Hearteningly, things we planted a few weeks back have settled in and are now putting on some proper new growth. I love it when a plant establishes itself and you know it's probably going to be fine.

Overview

So here's a bit of a view down the plot. Look, no weeds! I've said it before, but the smaller, and more enclosed plot that we have here compared to the previous one makes maintaining it a (relative) breeze.

And it's just such a goddamm nice place to be. You might not easily be able to discern from this pick, but let me assure you: this is about as happy as I get. Gorgeous sunshine, down the allotment, test match on the wireless and something decent to read. Bloody magic!