The long view

Here's a nice overview of the plot with its various beds and structures.

rampant rhubarb

This stuff just goes from strength to strength. We can't get through it quickly enough. So far Laura's made rhubarb crumble, stewed rhubarb, rhubarb and cinnamon torte, rhubarb and polenta muffines and rhubarb fool. She's planning some rhubarb and rosewater pavlovas for some of the next crop.

Where there's muck there's brassicas

We finally got around to planting out the brassica seedlings we'd been nurturing in the shed and then hardened off on the outdoor shelves. They look pretty good. We've planted a row of purple-sprouting broccoli (for summer) and some brussels sprouts (for Christmas dinner and winter in general). We had loads in the end but gave the remainder to our neighbour, John, and the rest were snapped up at the allotment seed exchange.

The green net was hidden round the back of the shed when we took over. We untangled it and let it dry and it's spot on for detering birds and cats from nibbling our crops. We made the stakes it's tied to ourselves and I think the final effect is pretty good.

compost bin

I've managed to repair/replace our rather old compost bin with a new, improved version made from the ubiquitous bits of pallet. Once you start looking for the things you realise they're everywhere - just waiting for your allotment gardener to grab and take apart for various construction schemes. Anyway, here's the transformation in all its glory.