So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

My compost has arrived! Driver didn’t call until he was there, so I ran all the way, pretty much (it’s a seven minute walk, so a four minute run for me?). Fortunately despite all my worrying, he was lovely, able to reverse right to my plot and dropped it off in the perfect place…. Nothing to worry about!

 Have just returned home to sort last Olio collection, have some lunch and grab my spade and water (didn’t factor in the weather when running in a long-sleeved t-shirt and hoodie! 😂). 

QueenJess

themadvix said:

So Kings won in the end as they had more of what I wanted in stock. Have also just ordered 6 asparagus crowns from the RHS - they have 40% off bare root veg plants (and fruit?) at the moment so it was a good deal (much cheaper than T&M and more choice than Kings. 

Still not heard about the compost. Work is complete and I've nearly got rid of all the Olio stuff I might pack some lunch and wander down to the allotment....

ETA: the post brought my Populous cheque

The RHS stock seems to be the same stuff at Crocus and Waitrose garden with the same offers.  You might want to support RHS anyway, but Crocus is on topcashback so always a little cheaper.  I mention Waitrose in case anyone has their credit card and gets cashback that way.

Ooh a cheque.. I dimly recall those I honestly think I'd struggle these days if someone asked me to write a cheque.  I'd have to think about what I was doing it's been so long!

Nicki_Sue

I'm planting later and agree, Real Seeds are lovely. My Tree Cabbages will be going in soon. The cat will be on standby for white cabbage butterflies this year.
I just need to go through my seeds (many - anyone needs some peas/beans?) and make a plan.

Great news re the composts. I'm not jealous AT ALL 

Karmacat

Brilliant news about all that compost!  I envy you having the right soil to grow asparagus - a neighbour of my mum gifted me lots of asparagus seeds - it grew like weeds on the Merseyside coast - but my soil is so heavy here, it never had a chance.

themadvix

QueenJess said:

The RHS stock seems to be the same stuff at Crocus and Waitrose garden with the same offers.  You might want to support RHS anyway, but Crocus is on topcashback so always a little cheaper.  I mention Waitrose in case anyone has their credit card and gets cashback that way.

Ooh a cheque.. I dimly recall those I honestly think I'd struggle these days if someone asked me to write a cheque.  I'd have to think about what I was doing it's been so long!

Thanks for that Jess, I hadn't realised. Tbh, I'd looked up what the RHS thought were good varieties to plant and then clicked through to their shop to find the offers on - much, much cheaper than T&M which seemed to have the most choice. I'll remember Crocus for next time.

At least I can pay the cheque in on my phone! 

Have made decent progress with shovelling compost around, but then as I was leaving a rather keen (and also new) allotmenteer managed to catch me and wanted to show me his plot... I didn't escape for about 20 minutes! It was lovely to chat, but I was hoping to go and find some more cardboard, get back down there and do some more before heading to mum's for dinner.... and now I don't think I have time, especially as European client has sent me more work. But I left my hoodie down there, so will have to retrieve that at least!

Photos of compost (sorry @Nicki_Sue ! )

Nicki_Sue

@themadvix - How rude!

I take your compost and raise you......
Stuffs I am currently eating. All planted last year before people in other towns stole the northern compost 

themadvix

Nicki_Sue said:

@themadvix - How rude!

I take your compost and raise you......
Stuffs I am currently eating. All planted last year before people in other towns stole the northern compost 

😮😮😮 I didn't realise northerners ate ladybirds! 🤣🤣 Other than that, it looks fantastic - you must be really pleased with it all!

Nicki_Sue

@themadvix I'm vegan so I don't eat them personally but I'm told they are great in a stirfry...... 

Absolutely delighted. That's what's left of my overwinter veg and I'm now planting again for this year. Roll on the courgette gluts   

Suffolk_lass

If you are looking at soft fruit bushes (and any more asparagus crowns) I recommend Ken Muir - again within 25 miles of where I live their strawberries are excellent (I believe I bought good raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries there too - certainly my asparagus crowns) - and I just thought I would mention the thread over on green-fingered board for growing your own in 2022 (as it you have time...)

themadvix

Suffolk_lass said:

If you are looking at soft fruit bushes (and any more asparagus crowns) I recommend Ken Muir - again within 25 miles of where I live their strawberries are excellent (I believe I bought good raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries there too - certainly my asparagus crowns) - and I just thought I would mention the thread over on green-fingered board for growing your own in 2022 (as it you have time...)

Thanks SL, that's good to know. I like the look of their cherry and apple trees too - the minarette ones. I think you've summed it up about my time at the moment! Trying to get work out of the way asap (so glad I get paid per project not per hour!) so I can collect some wood chippings from someone on FB and some large bits of cardboard from someone on Freegle and then I have a long list of things to do at the allotment - not least moving more compost! Hopefully though, with the carboard collected today, I should be able to make excellent progress.