Most of the allotment action has been happening away from the plot it's self, sewing seeds in egg cartons which have been lining my widow ledges at home and planning the lay out of the plot.

One of my favourite parts of the allotment is the small finds that weren't expected. My supermarket shopping trips have been brightened up by those unexpected finds like my decent spade at a descent price, my favourite pair of gloves and potatoes seeds on offer.

Today for the first time though I was actually able to some planting, 50% of the ground is worked and dug over with seedling hiding away below the earth. It always makes me nervous sewing seeds out side as I can't micromanage them the same as the seeds at home, luckily I have my raspberry plants in so I have something to show. The other worry for my seedlings is tumbles love of wooden labels.

Today another first was meeting other allotmenteers, all sorts of gossip I clearly need to get up to speed with, there's an in and out crowd in all walks of life, Those who are frowned on for taking the laid back approach to managing their plots, the expectation to join the allotment society and obviously the opinions on the council as our landlord. So much more to allotment life than just looking after your own little earth retreat.

Welcome to Plot 41

On Monday 13 March I picked up the keys for allotment 41.

I first applied to have an allotment 2 years ago and have been on the waiting list since so was very happy and surprised to receive an email with an offer having forgot all about it! Having been unable to view the plot prior to signing the tenancy I wasn't actually sure what I had paid my £56 for so went to view the plot with anxiousness and excitement.

Viewing the plot I was surprised at how let go it was, it must not have been tended for a long time, I have inherited a dilapidated tin shed which I expect has it's fair share of spiders hiding in amongst the odd collection of items in there. As you can see the plot is also on quite a slope so has been stepped into 3 beds. The 3 levels have 3 smaller raised beds greatly reducing the amount of workable space so I plan on taking these out, digging the whole bed over on each step leaving a 2 spade width path for access.

I plan to eventually use all 3 tiers but will begin focusing on one tier at a time working from the top down, I plan to use companion planting and encourage beneficial insects so will carefully choose which veg, companion flowers and herbs will be gown. I want my allotment to reflect my values so aim to encourage wildlife to hunt predators, be sustainable, choose environmentally friendly ways of working and have an element of pretty.

Other aims for the plot

• dispose of the tin wreck
• look into homemade pallet shed/store
• create a plot pond
• frog & nature homes

My plot looking a bit sorry for it's self

Tumble and I begin work digging over the first bed