Linda and Brian

Friday February 26th
It's been such a long, cold, wet and snowy winter that we're beginning to wonder if it will ever end! There's been no prospect of doing any work on the allotment since before Christmas. Everywhere is waterlogged, although no floods yet, thank goodness. They're talking about it having been the coldest winter for 30 years! We did take a look last weekend, when our friends Linda and Brian came for the weekend. They were surprised at the size of our plot and said they have other friends with allotments and they usually do a bit of weeding when they go to stay. Perhaps next time!
We have used the plot as a store for our winter wood and so have been down to collect wood from time to time. The wood-burning stove has been on most days recently, so the wood-pile has gone down significantly. Everyone in the neighbourhood says it's lovely to come home and smell the wood smoke in the air.
I have been able to dig up some parsnips over the winter, although just before Christmas when the snow was on the ground, it was quite a challenge to find them! Some of the larger ones were quite woody inside. The leeks have been poor - very small and spindly - more like pencils.
We're still using our own potatoes but they're disappointing. I planted too many early and second earlies, as I didn't realise that they don't store well. Needless to say they have all sprouted and gone soft. The maincrops are better but are quite small. Hopefully we'll have more success this year.
However, there are signs that Spring is on the way as the snowdrops are out and the daffodils are showing signs of growth.
We have a number of jobs to do when the weather improves - continuing to place chicken wire through the hedging on the river side will be my first task. Peter is talking about going on a hedge-laying course. Sounds like a good idea.