I got some paving stones to create a small patio in the top corner. After frantically trying to clear the allotment we just put some old plastic chairs in the corner but with all the winter weather these are starting to sink into the ground.

It was my first attempt at paving and i wasn’t exactly best equipped, but i persevered and was quite pleased with the results. I went back the following day to check and a couple seemed a bit uneven so i applied a bit more sand and levelled it off again. Certainly tidied up the corner though.

I also finished off another bed (just one more to go) at the back of the plot behind the main bed system. This time they’re a little larger at 10 x 5 which is the maximum recommended size if you the ability to work your way around the crops without falling into your prize veg. I reckon i’ve got more than enough soil to grow flowers and veg now, allowing me more time to concentrate clearing the other side during the growing season.

Looking at the plot now i think it’s high time i got a shed. I’ve accumulated a lot of tools now like the wheelbarrow, fork, spade, hoe, rake and bags upon bags of manure, top soil and compost. So the shed will be an ideal place to store these and also get myself a little stove to make a cuppa. Before you know it i’ll have my slippers and pipe and a clockwork radio…not.

My mate Mark popped down on Saturday to borrow my sprayer to do a bit of weeding. He’s on a shared plot near the coast and has some work to do with heavy clay soil, standing water and the usual weeds. Unlike me where i chose the bed system for the sake of tidiness and low maintenance, he will have to do this out of necessity.

We’re really lucky with the soil here as the plots are on an old riverbed and the soil is slightly sandy and well drained without being too dry. There’s also a few wells which are only about 6 feet deep and these produce clean water all year round. We have one on our plot but i’m going to dig another one.

Has anybody dug a well before? Any tips/suggestions welcome.