Couch Grass 0 - Me 1

I have a problem with couch grass on my allotment. There is an area by the shed that has become riddled with the stuff. This is the area that I failed to dig last year and around my blackcurrant bushes - which I was intending to remove.

Today I decided to declare war against the couch grass and cleared an area about two metres square. I won a small battle - but the war will be messy - about another10 or 15 metres to go (see photo below).

I also planted parsnips and lettuce today - during an exhausting four and a half hour stint.

Sickly Seedlings

This is one of my Purple Sprouting seedlings. They are all looking very sick and I am willing them to get better - but they are a tad scorched around the edges.

I have a nasty feeling that it is a result of lack of water during our recent three night trip to Devon and failure (despite a polite reminder notice) on behalf of the cat feeders to give them some water. (They also failed to empty the cat litter tray resulting in us finding a "dirty protest" in the dining room when we got home but that is another story)

I might plant some more seed just to be safe.

Do you like my flowers?

Spent a whole four hours on the allotment on Saturday. Planted a row of runner beans, my onion sets and some peas (Little Marvel). Harvested some leeks (which are rapidly going to seed, but still usable with the core removed), some purple sprouting that the birds had missed and some rhubarb - which is also flowering along with the autumn planted broad beans.

I made use of the rhubarb flowers which are now proudly displayed in a vase in my lounge. Wonder if they will catch on.

Snow Joke

After some promising warm days mid week, I was hopeful of at least one good day this weekend. But no it has been rain, hail and snow.

Yesterday we went to Silverstone to watch a friend race his MG (see picture below) - he did quite well - 5th I think - plus the only bit of sun during the day was the 20 minutes or so while the race was taking place. It was very cold though and I was not sorry to get home and soak in a hot bath.

As for the allotment I haven't ventured up yet - the F1 on the TV has had a greater pull. I really need to get up and dig up some more leeks. We are away next weekend to Devon so I am starting to panic.