Sunny Days Are Here Again

Wow, two Sundays on the trot and sunshine!

Last week it was too hot to work in the polytunnel with coats on, so some of us chose to work outside!!

Plenty of clearing still to do, so we'll be busy for the next few weeks at least.

Parsley and rocket, peas and nasturtiums still coming on nicely in the polytunnel, so think we'll be leaving them in there for the moment.

Winter salads planted, last of the onions and garlic transferred and brassicas now safely netted to stop the pigeons feasting on them before we do.

Still quite a lot of digging and preparation for next year, so plenty of time to come along and join us.

BONFIRE NIGHT BECKONS

No, unfortunately there's not going to be any fireworks this year, but hopefully we'll have a little celebration in the not-too-distant future.

Polytunnel clearing and cleaning time at the Lost Plot. The last of the cucumbers have been harvested, but the parsley and rocket are still going strong.

Managed to put in some winter salads last week and will be doing more of the same this weekend.

We've got some spent hops to nourish the soil over winter, so the polytunnel smells like a brewery. I'm happy with that, but it's not to everyone's taste, as Jess will attest!

More clearing, planting and soil enrichment this weekend.

 So, why not come along and visit if you've not been for a while?  Looking forward to seeing people this Sunday 4th November from 1pm onwards.

Lost Plot Swelters

Wow, what a Sunday. The perfect day for being down the allotment, albeit rather warmer than we've been used to recently.

Got a note from the Allotment Society thanking The Lost Plot for clearing up the site - in particular the road. We will have to make sure it stays that way.

Some old familiars who've not been down for a while joined us and had fun weeding the bath, ready for the overwintering salads.

We finally took out the old broccoli and prepared the bed for the overwintering onions. However, sunshine  - and lack of sleep in one case! - took over and we decided to leave it til next week to give it a good going over. Onions are no fans of competition.

Just shows what a little bit of warmth and sunshine can do.  There's at least half a dozen cucumbers that have put on a show since last week and the nasturtiums are bursting out all over.

Runner beans have almost finished and the final tomatoes are ripening. Raspberries are still putting on a show, but not sure how much longer they've got to go. Courgettes both indoor and out are still flowering, so fingers crossed for a few more yet.

Plenty of stuff to go in the ground next week and if it's as nice as last weekend, we'll have to get the sunblock out.

Newcomers welcome - any Sunday 1 - 4pm.

SOUTHWAY HOUSING COMES UP TRUMPS

Southway Housing chose The Lost Plot as one of their projects for the Community Commitment Day on 20 September.

Despite the less-than-perfect weather conditions, Southway Housing staff turned up bright and early to help transform The Lost Plot.

Tasks included, clearing the road, building a fruit cage, cleaning the pond, strimming the grass and cleaning out the greenhouse.  Together with some Lost Plot volunteers, everyone set to and got cracking.

Sue kept everyone fed and watered and by lunchtime, real progress had been made.  Despite a hiccup with lunch and the odd downpour or two, most of the jobs were completed by close of play.  The fruit cage will be standing for years to come and the greenhouse has never been cleaner.

Many thanks to all those who got involved. You're all welcome back anytime and I know we've made some converts with the rocket, nasturtium flowers and leaves and vine tomatoes all growing in the polytunnel.

Anyone interested in coming down to see what the transformation is like, just come along on Sunday from 1 - 4pm.  Don't worry, there's still more clearing, cleaning and digging to do, that's if the rain stops...

FUN AND FOOD AT THE LOST PLOT

SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER

Today is the day of the Southern Allotments' BBQ.  We just bring along our veggie burgers/dogs etc and they provide the rest!!  Meat and veg bbqs are separate and there's always lots of lovely chutneys and sauces to try.

All this is just a ruse to get people along and The Lost Plot is happy to use the same ploy.

If you'd like a bit of exercise, some fresh air and feeling of job satisfaction then come along and join us. New volunteers are always welcome and this week there'll be salads, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, rocket, chillis and raspberries to share at the end of the session.

Last week we managed to get some more winter veg in and there's more to plant today. So if you like digging, planting, weeding or just cutting the grass, there's always a job to do.

Plus there's a bonfire to light if anyone is desperate to light a fire. Burning weeds and clearing debris is very therapeutic!

See you soon...

Indian Summer

Enjoying the Indian Summer.  It was absolutely roasting down at the site today.

The tomatoes and cucumbers are really benefitting in the polytunnel, although the runner beans are finding it rather too hot!

Plenty of work to be done on site including sorting out the compost area, clearing the pond  and keeping the grass under control.

Tomorrow we should be able to get some winter veg in and dig over some of the beds.

Southway Housing are sending volunteers down on Thursday 20 September to do some community work. Hoping this will give us a real boost and get the site back under control again.  Anyone who can come down and help will be most welcome.

Pre Bank Holiday Push

The mix of sun, rain, rain, sun, rain has give the grass and weeds just the kind of micro climate they love, result, one even more over-grown looking Lost Plot.

The upside is that the produce is flourishing and we're all taking home tasty treats.  There's nothing like home-grown veg to kick-start a healthy eating phase.

Thanks to the sterling efforts of new volunteer James and Sarah F, the willow arch has been trimmed and plaited

Finally the chillies seem to be sorting themselves out and the beans in the poly tunnel are taking over. I think it'll only be the dwarf varieties next year or the  tomatoes will be fighting for light.

The clay-oven pizza session was great.  More sessions to come over the next few weeks.

New volunteers are always welcome, so get in touch if you'd like to come along. No experience necessary, just come down and say hello.

Here Comes Summer

Had a great day down the allotment last Sunday, August 5 2012, with Laura, Sarah and Clare.

 Just about getting to grips with the grass that keeps taking over and clearing some more beds for winter veg.
 Looks like most of our seeds have been washed away since there's no sign of germination - a little cheating with seedlings from Chorlton Nursery might be in order, or else I won't be having sprouts for my Xmas dinner!
 Polytunnel is looking good with rocket and parsley continuing to deliver. Courgettes and beans coming on nicely too.
 Plenty of jobs to do and produce to be picked, so looking forward to seeing people down on site again this Sunday.
 Will be planning a BBQ/clay oven pizza day soon. Any dates??

All hands on deck

It's that time of year, when the grass is growing like crazy, there are too many weeds to hoe and we still haven't caught up with our planting. Fortunately, the bad weather has actually helped! With a little effort and an 'all hands on deck' approach we should be able to get things under control and get back on track.

This Sunday, there's a play on down at the allotment site - starting at 2pm followed by a BBQ - so if everyone could come down a bit earlier, say from 12 noon, that would be really good.

Any newcomers will be really welcome, fingers crossed for the weather and we should all have a great day.

Laura's planting plan is in the Black book and the allotment guide is really useful, don't forget to check both.

See you Sunday!

LOST PLOT AGM

Many thanks to those who turned up for the AGM on Tuesday. It feels good to have the whole year spread out in front of us and there's still some funds in the bank account.

We're hoping to work with Cracking Good Food on some of their summer initiatives, and we'll have an RHS inspired Learning Session sometime later in the summer.

If you'd like to grow your own food, are thinking of taking on an allotment or just waiting for your name to reach the top of the allotment list, then why not join us?

We meet every Sunday from 1pm, so come along and say hello.

Lost Plot AGM

Lost Plot AGM

Tuesday 6 March at Buckthorn House, Nell Lane, Chorlton 6.30 - 7.30pm

All welcome to come along and help us plan for the coming year.

Refreshments, including home-made cakes provided!


Don't forget we meet every Sunday from 1pm, so if you'd like to try your hand at growing your own fruit and veg, but don't think you're quite ready for your own allotment, then come and join us!

For more info contact Sarah on 07930898935 or Clare on 07595873221.

We've got a pond, a poly tunnel, a firepit and social area and our very own clay oven.