Monday 1st December
It was a sparkling day today, with a clear blue sky. The river is high again after a weekend of heavy rain. I began digging over some of the ground near the newly planted trees, and unearthed some unexpected asparagus plants. I decided that it was as good a day as any to dig some plants out ready to give to John. I found a large old container to put them in and and planned to wheel them round to his plot in the wheeelbarrow. However, I dug up some renegade plants from the main plot as well and then found the wheelbarrow too heavy to push. I'll just have to wait for a man. I tucked the plants in with a plastic bag for protection, so hope they will survive till they go in the ground.
I decided to redefine the edge of the main asparagus plot - yet again. Peter assures me that we need to keep all the plants as it's the only green vegetable he really enjoys! I turned over a section using a string as a guide, and then sprinkled rock salt on all the remaining weeds. Turning over the soil at this time of year is very heavy work, and I had to keep clearing the soil from the fork or spade. It takes me longer and longer to clean up the tools and boots before I leave for home.
Before I left I used some empty milk containers to provide some protection for the emerging broad beans. Apparently the birds like to dig them out! While I was working today a friendly little robin turned up and pecked around in the hedge. Hope he comes back again. On the way home I took a large bag of bicycle tyres to the tip, which I'd collected from the back of the plot.