What we are doing on the allotment

Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb

We've had the allotment since October and this is what we have been doing over the Winter: 

• Clearing a full five beds of weeds, laying covers over some until we are ready to plant.
• Digging in manure and leaf mould
• Planting garlic, onions and shallots
• Sowing peas and broad beans
• Planting out our fruit bushes from their pots in the garden
• Clearing, and re-laying most of the paths
• Making, and putting in, a new greenhouse door
• Meeting some lovely allotment folk
• Researching, observing, planning, learning 
• Discovering! 

We've had a few exciting discoveries, like the kilos of potatoes left in the ground from the previous tenant, the fact we have some unnamed bulbs coming up, a lovely tall rambling rose, an apple tree, a pear tree and two cherries.  And we've meant for ages to get hold of some rhubarb to put in, then today I discovered some on the plot, despite thinking I knew every bit of the ground. See the picture above.

I've also discovered that mice are rife in the greenhouse and love eating peas and broad beans, and bulbs in planters. And learnt that WD 40 helps keep them away. The netting may also be helping a bit.  Here are some of the little pea plants today:

Peas, Peas, Peas