High winds and hedgecutters

Spring is most definately in the air, I know we can't expect it to stay like this but I intend to enjoy the sun whilst I can. This in mind we decided on a visit to the plot yesterday. Full of digging enthusiasm we arrived to absolute carniage at the allottment. The fence and gate had been hammered by the high winds and was at a 45 degree angle out into the lane. We managed to push it upright and get the padlock off to open the gate, then wished we hadn't. The greenhouse was laying on its side in a mangled pile of aluminum and broken glass. Now initially I thought this was the wind too, but after clearing the wreckage to the top of the plot we realised the hedges had been cut on the lane. It looks like the machine that had been used didn't just cut the top and lane side of the hedge but also halfway down the inside of the hedge. I suspect the machinery operator hadn't noticed our greenhouse frame and ploughed his hedgecutter into it.
Although this was a bit annoying it actually was a blessing in disguise, I was undecided if we should keep the greenhouse anyway as my sister had said we could have hers (which is in much better condition). So with our minds made up for us I can now use the remaining glass and framework to make coldframes.
Needless to say we didn't do any digging, I spent a good hour putting the fence back up and making everything secure again. Then we carried the pallets up to the far end out of the way and made 2 open fronted compost bins.
Decided that the next job is to dig the rest of the way across to the other hedge and lay a path with the slabs. That way I may at least be able to think about planting some seeds ready for the summer. Ah well I can at least dream!

New Years Resolution

New Years Day and I had promised myself I would go to the allotment whatever my hangover was like. I eventually pulled myself together and we had a trip there after lunch. Unfortunately when we arrived we discovered the high winds had not helped our partially glazed greenhouse. A lesson to be learnt I think, if you can't fully glaze a greenhouse don't do it at all!

Some of the panes that had been ripped out by the wind were OK but 4 or 5 had smashed. After picking up the glass and replacing the carpet that had been blown about we started a to dig - again.

After taking stock of the already dug patch I discovered we had lots of seeds sprouting. As I had not yet planted anything I deduced by my powers of detection that they must be yet another type of weed. On closer inspection it turned out to be goose grass, rather than let it get established I took the hoe to it, although I am not sure it will have done much good as the soil was quite wet. Only time will tell I suppose.

I decided that instead of turning a row over and weeding as we went along we would try turning the soil and leave it until we go again to take the roots out. That was the plan until Pete found the longest Dock root I had ever seen. It must have been over 3 foot long.

As you may have noticed it is now 13th January. The new years resolution has not been broken completely, we fetched some more free paving slabs for paths last week, thanks to George and Charlotte from Sheffield Freecycle. We hope to go tomorrow (Sunday) and see if my digging plan has worked. Today as I sit and type the country has been savaged by high winds all week so I am pleased I removed the remaining panes of glass from the greenhouse.