Venturing out

[wheezyof]

My first outing since lockdown began. I walked slowly, with my wheely frame, to my allotment.

I felt like crying. The whole plot is thick with weeds and the plants in containers were nearly dead.

I watered the containers. 2 header tanks and a toilet cistern rescued from a rubbish dump. 1 header tank has a tayberry and a kiwi, the other has a grape vine and the cistern a small fig tree. I hope the plants survive.

My onion sets are not much bigger than marbles and choked with weeds.

I'm not sure how I'm going to cope but I'm determined that I will.

I came home and ordered a cordless strimmer. It arrives tomorrow. I don't know if I'm strong enough to use it. If not I'll bribe a passing friend or relative.

Once each area is strimmed I'll put weed blanket down. Then hopefully catch up gradually.

At least I stayed safe through lockdown.

[CDPO16]

Almost soul destroying to see such a scene on a much loved allotment. It was good to read that you are down but not out and I hope that you do manage to rescue the plot and that you get help if you need it. Good luck x

[Hidden]

Things will work out just fine wheezyof, its good you can get out to work some at the allotment, it will be good for mind body and spirit

I would be interested in the cordless strimmer you ordered? Which did you go for?

[wheezyof in reply to Hidden]

A Spear and Jackson 3 in 1 30 cm and 36v. I didn't think the smaller ones would be up to the job. The big bush cutters are too expensive for my budget and much heavier. Getting it from Argos. Other companies out of stock

[Hidden in reply to wheezyof]

great thanks for that wheezy

[sassy59]

That’s a real shame wheezyof but you will gradually get on top of things, maybe with a little help, and things will soon be flourishing again.

Wishing you well and sending lots of hugs. Xxx😘

[wheezyof in reply to sassy59]

Thank you.. I needed a hug xx

[sassy59 in reply to wheezyof]

You’re so very welcome. Xxxx

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Good for you I love you positivity, good luck and I hope your plants survive. Have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette xx xx 🌈

[wheezyof in reply to Damon1864]

Thank you. I'll keep you all up to date xx

[RoadRunner44]

You have an excellent, positive attitude Wheezy. I would feel the same seeing all my plants innthzt state. But..... you are already planning what to do next. This demonstrates that....'I wont let it beat me' attitude. So,, good luck and I hope you save your plants. Why not post us later on and let us know how you are doing.

Cheers. 😀📥📅📆🌿🌵🌴🌳🌲🌱🌹🌸🌷🌼🌻

[wheezyof in reply to RoadRunner44]

I will post updates x

[knitter]

I can sympathise, sadly I had to give up my plot after my spine fracture.

Can you or a helper strim then cover the very overgrown parts held done with stones or bricks, and just tackle the rest bit by bit .

My neighbour used a black porous membrane over the soil then cut holes in it to plant through....strawberries, cabbages, sprouts etc.

[wheezyof in reply to knitter]

Strimmer ordered. I have some weed blanket already but If I need it I'll get more.

[Hidden in reply to knitter]

I'm sorry you have a spine fracture. Which vertebra is it at?

[Angelagone]

Soul destroying for you but could be worse. My daughter tells me local vandals have wrecked our village allotments. Do keep us posted about progress.

[wheezyof in reply to Angelagone]

That's terrible. Allotments are hard work but worth the reward to have really fresh fruit and veg. All that work to be ruined by some idiotic thug.

[ledge]

I can imagine how overwhelmed you must have felt when you saw your beloved allotment.... but old mother nature loves a challenge and a trier... bit by bit you will see the reformation take place... 20 out 10 for the positive mental attitude xx

[wheezyof in reply to ledge]

I'm determined but with my health it will be a battle. However with the kindness and encouragement here I'll win through.. xx

[Jaybird19]

oh that is heartbreaking ? I am so sorry. hopefully it will recover. Plants are like family to some . I lost some of mine to toxic compost last year . No cuttings and seed took except one tough left ornamental house plant and that is so thin and weak. /. I lost pot plants that I loved and had kept and renewed over the year.s some are not replaceable. my rosemary lives on balcony no longer. It died slowly bit by bit before I knew about some compost containing horsedung from horses pastured on grassland treated with weedkiller . Read that in Which Magazine.

I am sure you will be able to rescue most of it .The container plants will need some TLC but will recover eventually . I love the idea of a toilet cistern having a second life . Figs are tough and survive without water in many dry places in Greece.

good luck

do let us know how it goes

[wheezyof in reply to Jaybird19]

How awful! Makes you wonder why horses are grazed on chemically treated grassland.. I know ragweed is a problem but I still wouldn't use weedkiller near livestock.

Any plants ant of us can help with?

Much gardeners love xx

[wheezyof in reply to Jaybird19]

The cistern and header tanks - some regeneration was going on where my daughter lives. So many bits of plumbing and so on where being dumped so I did a bit of rescuing. The header tanks are a really good size for large plants. The fig is still small and of course needs its roots restricting.

[Jaybird19 in reply to wheezyof]

too young to fruit. ?? my dad had one in greenhouse and it had little figs which were next years fruit and mature figs but I was never there at the right time to get one to eat. i think my sister still has it

[wheezyof in reply to Jaybird19]

Yes mine was an offer, free with plant food and a selection of seeds. It cost a few pounds postage for the bundle (less than the cost of the seeds). It was just a tiny twig. It's growing though. The cistern is its third container. First was a family size yoghurt pot, then an old waste paper bin now the cistern. I shall pass it on to my grandchildren if it survives as they love growing things too.

[Jaybird19 in reply to wheezyof]

that is great , It will be known as Grannys Fig

[Izb1]

So upsetting to see your beloved plot taken over by the weeds wheezyof, but regardless of your physical condition your determination will win out, just take it bit by bit and you will get through it. I would also take a before and after picture so when you look back you will see just how much you have done. Love the fact that you have converted the cistern. My daughter had a fig tree when they lived in Tenerife and that survived with no watering for years before they built the house. Big hugs to you for your super effort x