The Plot Thickens

Hut Site

This is the South East corner of the site where the new site hut is going to go. Plan is that we build it collaboratively out of contributed materials so it won’t need to cost us anything.

I’d like to design it as a geodesic dome because the design only needs short lengths of wood, like you’d get from pallets. A dome is assembled from many identical panels so there’s the possibility of setting up something of an assembly line and getting everyone involved.

This is the last bit of vacant land on site and there’s just room to squeeze a 16′ diameter dome in.

Flag Day

I bought the shed a present. It’s a union flag wind sock.

The flies really got me last night, my arms and legs are a right mess. It wasn’t as humid tonight and I wasn’t bothered by anything.

Shame my camera’s not up to it but I found two froglets around the pond last night when I was weeding. Nice to know the fish didn’t eat all the taddies. I’d rather I didn’t have the grass and other weeds around the pond but I’ve left it alone so the froglest have somewhere damp and cool to fatten up for the winter.

I had a nice chat with the chaps down at the council today. There isn’t much of a relationship between tenants and council and that’s a shame as it makes for misunderstanding and resentment. I’m getting a good positive vibe from the Town Hall and with the Growing in the Community workshop starting early September I think we’re building some bridges. The thing that I’m keen to see happen is for everyone on site to have a say in the rules and generally be involved in the site. I had a read of some of the consultation guidance bumf this evening and, well, it’s complicated. I’ll probably talk some more about this some time.

Moles and Onions

I’m pleased to say that the moles are doing well on my allotment. Where do these chaps go to when they’re not on my plot? For all their digging they do very little damage and I certainly don’t begrudge them any slugs they find.

I’ve pulled up the summer onions to let them dry off a bit. They got mildew badly this year and it killed off the leaves so they haven’t made any great size but they look sound enough so I’m not much bothered.

This warm wet spell has encouraged the weeds as you can see. Fortunately it’s also softened up the ground very nicely so they’re pulling out a treat at the moment. I don’t hoe, I just pull them out by hand. I’m sure it would be more efficient if I learnt to hoe but I rather enjoy weeding by hand.

The compost bins are doing excellent work on all the weeds - actually I don’t think they end up making much compost at all because having filled up the bin it all just collapses down to where it started. I only built the bins this year and everything’s gone into one bin which I’ve turned once. I’m leaving that to rot down now and I’m starting on another bin. I cut the comfrey that I planted by the bins and added it to the compost, and of course the bin gets a regular application of Human Compost Activator.

Warm damp evenings are a pain - literally - I got eaten alive tonight by goodness knows what.

Patrick over at Bifurcated Carrots has been organising a food growing blog meet for the end of September. I’m pretty sure it’s fully booked now but I thought I’d bang the gong anyway. I’m going and I’m looking forward to meeting my fellow FoGroBloMees. Hope to see you there - FoGroBloMe, 20 September, 9:30am - 5:30pm, Oxford Botanic Garden, High Street, Oxford.