Sorry...

Hello all and so sorry it has been so long but I really have been busy!

What with all the snow down here it has been quite frustrating really. But on to good news I was able to dig over most of the beds before Christmas and covered them with manure then carpets which has really helped to improve the condition of the soil. I tried to get some cow manure but lack of has resulted in me returning to some horse muck instead which I have to collect next week. It's free so that is even better if you ask me (as long as you don't mind being knee deep in ...).

To my shock I have been receiving some much appreciated comments from the 'lotment folk about how well I am doing :) i think its time! I seem to be ahead of most of them ! Yeah me (pats self on back).

I entered a competition this week in London for my cake. I didn't place but to be honest I didn't think I would just wanted the experience and don't think I will be in a rush again it was very stressful. So stressful infact that I have used e rest of this week and my energy up the allotment. It has been wonderful I must admit as I am beginning to see all my hard work pay off. All the digging over and removing the weeds and couch grass, feeding the soil and being patient has all been worth it I think this next season is going to be a good one!

On top of the digging I have actually been able to plant some things too!*very happy face*. I popped into Aldi a few weeks ago to the surprise of fruit trees on sale for £3.99! Well why not I thought to myself? I have always wanted to grow cherries and thought at that price I couldn't miss out. So Friday off I went two trees in arms and lovingly planted them one other side of my apple tree. I now have 7 trees on the plot, yes I know it sounds like a lot but there is method to my madness. It would seem I have my eye on the plot next door so am biding my time until half of it comes available.

I have also started on my flower garden section as I am hoping to attract some beneficial insects and bees. Van Meuwen have had a great offer on where you get £100 worth of bulbs for £9.99 and with only £3 delivery well I would be crazy to turn down that offer. On to more bargains I have also

managed to bag myself some scaffolding planks for a very good price thanks to some local lads and they are coming next week. It would seem that finally after 3 years the plot is starting to resemble something that I have been planning it to. With thanks to the 99p store :) the roses are in and coming along, I have also managed to get some beautiful climbers and red hot pokers, I have my eye on a few others too but I shall take my time!

It really is a great feeling of achievement when I look at the plot and how it has progressed can't wait to get a house with a garden so I can get my huge greenhouse or polytunnel ( not that I have told hubby of my plan) and some chookes although I am a little apprehensive about them still need to do some more research but I shall leave that for another blog....

Sorry!

Well it has been a while, hasn't it? So sorry for that but what with Christmas and the new year out the way I can try and concentrate a little more! I wish, with the kids and Hubby and working on a competition piece it's non stop for me.

Anyways enough of that and on to other things...

Yes gardening, well we have had snow in good ole' Northampton and before that the ground was too hard to work. Thank goodness I managed to get it dug over before hand I feel as though I have managed to accomplish something finally. I have all my seeds prepared and separated by months to sow, it makes it easier to know where I am and what to do next. I am very excited about the new season and am itching to get the heated propagator out am going to stagger sow in pots of what I need so am thinking 3 plants per pot this week then next week another and so on and so on.

This week is all about tomatoes and leeks, I managed to download the RHS app on the IPad which is great fun to use I have had lots of reminders of what to sow and when although it has really left me with no excuse, maybe I have shot myself in the foot?

Aside from the planned gardening in my kitchen I have also been busy planning lessons, writing some new recipes and updating my website and Facebook page. Such a busy busy time. I am a very happy bunny (on one hand anyway) as I have managed to bake some beautiful macaroons! Pistachio nonetheless. Ooooohhhhhh I hear you say? Yes indeed I think I may have The Bug now so have set myself the challenge of a new flavour every week as well as a new pastry. We shall see how long that lasts until I burn myself out I suppose.

Back to the gardening.. I have just invested in a petrol lawn mower! Very very excited about this but am waiting for it to be delivered, apparently it's in a back up order, which, in my opinion is not good enough as when I ordered it they said I would have to wait 5 weeks which I have and then some. To make myself feel better I ordered a new book, it's the RHS Grow your own journal to compliment the books in the series ( which , yes, I do also own). It's fabulous, informative direct and informal with great ideas for using your produce in season and how to store it out of season. Beautiful pictures included too, so that I can dream of what a great plot full of luscious goodness looks like looks like and then compare mine. Each year I convince myself there is always next season and that most of neighbours plots have been cultivated for years although I am not sure that they are as forgiving...

But this year is going to be different I am sure...