If you are having a clear out before Christmas - think of us. At the moment we are looking for a combo padlock for the shed, guttering, a water butt or two. We also want to set up a composting area using recycled pallets, so if you enjoy woodwork and would like to help in this way give us a call.  After all that activity we may need to relax so  would love some garden furniture. We are always happy to accept good condition garden tools too !

We had a productive afternoon down at the allotment and finally sorted out the raspberry bed - we've dug up and moved some canes to a nursery bed with view to moving them again in the spring. We also pruned the rest of the raspberry canes along with the blackcurrants and the gooseberry  bush.

Our plans for the next two weeks are to prune the fruit trees and set up a leaf mould composing  basket. Lets hope the weather holds out.

Thankfully the weather has held and we made it over to the allotment this afternoon. Our main job of the day was to shift the gardening equipment from the old shed to the new one. 

​Despite being crammed full, the old shed was soon cleared and to my  surprise on the floor was a little butterfly. It seemed really sleepy but was able to perch on my finger.  It appeared to be almost shivering in the cold. It started to open its wings and every so often would give them a little flutter. We took some photos  and decided to put it over on the pumpkin.

​As I started to place it down to my utter amazement it began to fly off and was soon 'looping the loop'  around the garden - strangely a little while later we saw it back in the old shed- old habits die hard !!!

I spoke too soon...
the weather was so appalling
​on Saturday which made it impossible for the shed to go up.

However, today was the 'big day' and by lunch time our new green shed was in situ. We can't wait to transfer our equipment over and have a good sort out at the same time. Let's hope the weather holds out for the rest of the week!!!

The new shed arrives tomorrow................

We had wondered what we would do with Trev's huge pumpkin once the launch was over. Then someone told us that pumpkins can be used as hedgehog homes; filled with autumn leaves they make a snuggly place for them overwinter. 'What a wonderful idea!' we thought. So now the pumpkin is down on the allotment, (under the apple  tree) waiting for an occupant to move in!!!. Lets hope it doesn't take long.

The last of the onions and the elephant garlic went in this afternoon and we have transferred some of the raspberries canes into a holding bed, along with the comfrey. We couldn't believe how lovely the allotments looked in the late afternoon sunshine and all agreed that it was so pleasant to enjoy the mild weather while we worked. 

On Friday we officially launched our new project,  
Digging & Delving : A Potted History of the Burnham-on-Crouch Allotments.

The launch was held at the Station House, where we have our office.  We were amazed at how many people joined us.

A big talking point was a huge pumpkin which had been donated by a fellow allotment holder and volunteer, Trev.
We only managed to get the pumpkin from the allotments to the Station House by finding three strong
helpers and a process of rocking, rolling and ramps.

We scooped out the flesh and made three types of pumpkin soup (chilli, coconut and curry). which we all enjoyed on the day along with some very tasty bread donated by Maldon Tescos.  The pumpkin, by now a shell, made a great talking point - decorated with ivy and flowers.

If you are interested in finding out more about the project and the workshops we will be running over the next year, then please come along to Burnham Library this Thursday, 10th November at 11am or contact us via our contact page.