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I've been up there a couple of times in the last week or so to really get stuck in, in preparation for what is surely going to be a bumper year. Positive thinking, positive thinking! I've got a good feeling about the weather too, dunno why, I can just feel it coming after two lousy summers. I know it's tempting fate and important not to be complacent, as Arsene Wenger always says, but surely my allotment is also going to be a little easier in 2009?
Last March I was running round like a headless chicken trying to put in the raised beds, dig the soil over, weed, put up my shed and build paths all at the same time - it was crazy looking back on it.
This year, however, I'm onto the proper gardening already. The soil has greatly improved due to the digging and weeding, and all the council compost I used to mulch with over the winter has made a huge difference. I already have my garlic and the autumn-planted Japanese onions are coming along nicely. Plus I've dug my bean pit ready for the big day in spring. I've pruned back the autumn-fruiting raspberries to the ground. Potatoes will go in soon.
I want to really cram it with plants this year and am looking to increase the produce we get back. Lately the weather's been rather cold at night so Connie and I have started some brassica, leeks, spring onions and loads of sunflower seedlings off at home to get them going. Wish I had a greenhouse, but who knows, forget the new wooden floor in the kitchen, maybe that's my next big thing?!