Buddha says

Somtimes, through inaction, shit happens.

Sunday Surprise

I just got a telephone call out of the blue, and meeting someone at two o'clock. Apparently, I was next on the list, and if all goes well, I will have an allotment tonight.

Oh yeah.

Gaining the plot

I have an allotment. All it needs now is to formalise it, sign the tenancy agreement and pay a year's rent (which amounts to a tenner), and I can start digging.

I will have to start digging. The large plot used to belong someone who planted a lot of fruit, but it has been at least two years since they laid a hand on it, and given the state of it, probably more. The plot has now been divided in two in order to accomodate two tenants who want a smaller plot, and one of them is me. Since I was able to get there at a moment's notice, I had my choice of plot halves. The choice was easy, frankly, because on the border of one is a poor, neglected vine which nevertheless produces an abundance of small, white and incredibly sweet grapes. If it can do that after long neglect, what will it be able to do if properly cared for? Also on the plot is a small apple tree, which the previous tenant planted. The tree is healthy, also in need of care, but the one apple that more or less fell on my head when I walked around it was very tasty, indeed.
The downside is that there is a feral blackberry snaking along one side, an old strawberry bed in the back, and the rest is overgrown with grass, some nettles, and something that looks like ribwort. I don't know if any other weeds are lurking there, but given that this is a plot in an old allotment site, I suspect that the residents have an eye on things like bindweed or dandelion.

The allotment site is about 15 minutes away from my flat, and that's on foot. It is also more or less on my way home from work, not that that is any use at the moment, because it would already be dark when I'd get there. The plot's size is roughly three rods, which is about 75 square metres. It is a bit bigger than I initially wanted, but hey, this way I'll have enough space for a shed and compost heap. But before I start with any of that, the plot needs digging over, so I'll be needing a spade and other such gardening tools. I also got half a dozen books from the library on my way home so I can read up on preparing a new(ish) plot, which is after all different from working in an established garden. And then there's the planning...

It will be a lot of work, but I am quite looking forward to it.

Addendum

Oh, neddy_s, what have you gotten me into...! I might be calling on your expertise at some point.

And next year, I'll bring some wine from my vinyard. ;)