Category: Gardening & Allotment
Allotment clearing – with a little help from my friends.
Report written by Jim C AOR for the Odinic Rite Guardians site
Members of the OR met up on Sunday 22nd August to help Hengest clear his new allotment and ready the plot for propagation. If you’ve never rented an allotment before, then you have no idea how much blood sweat and tears it takes to knock an overgrown and neglected plot into shape. My blistered hands and aching body are witness to how much work we did.
The team gathered at the South East London site at approximately 11am. Present were Jay, Lianne, their daughter Freyja and friend Aaron, Jim C, Hengest and his wife Fran, not forgetting Lee who made the long trip from Coventry.
Once we were all assembled we immediately set about our allotted tasks cutting, digging and piling up the weeds and grass while Fran headed home to pick up the grub and the boys Hakon, Taran and Odin. Once arrived Hakon and Odin were not idle and readily chipped in with some hard labour whilst Taran alternated between various jobs, most important job of all keeping little Freyja entertained and out of harm’s way.
The weather stayed fair and apart from the odd drop of rain we were able to work uninterrupted until late in the day. I had brought a petrol brush cutter which, when working properly, is an awesome tool to clear the weeds, but unfortunately it refused to start so we were faced with some back breaking work. However it wasn’t long before we started to make steady in roads and once you can see the difference you are making it gives you the heart to carry on.
We had much needed refreshment breaks at regular intervals as it was sweaty thirsty work. Non alcoholic beverages only mind you, water, tea and orange juice to keep our spirits up as we battled with the dratted couch grass.
Later we had something more substantial from the barbecue; chicken, sausage and burgers. I don’t think you can beat eating outdoors when you’ve been working hard. The food tastes better because you know you’ve worked for it. Thanks to Fran for the grub which I wolfed down gratefully.
Later in the afternoon I finally got the strimmer to work and delivered a coup de grace to the tall weeds and grass. Throughout the day there was some healthy competition and the usual good hearted banter. I think we can be proud of what we achieved and I certainly think these kinds of activities help to create close ties and bond us as a family.
We called it quits at about 7pm. We had managed to clear a substantial amount of the plot and covered a large part with tarpaulin to suppress any further weed growth for the time being.
Above all, Sunday was a prime example of Odinism in action. I know it seems that nothing is going on at times and that is because we do so much great work that some may feel that whatever project they are involved in is not worth reporting on. However I feel it is still worth writing up a few lines as it inspires others and shows that even small actions can make a difference when many people carry them out.
We all had a good laugh and it is was a fulfilling experience to share the work with comrades devoted to lifting our folk out of the current mire they are dwelling in.
First there is a plot, then there is no plot, then there is….
So, I reached the top of the queue for my local allotment and went to look at the plot on offer on Monday. Due to demand plot are not being split into two but that is not really a problem as plots are large and for the square foot gardening method I want to try a big plot is not too necessary.
Anyway, I accepted the plot and called the council to confirm, only to be told that the plot I had been shown was already allocated to someone last week. Nobody bothered to tell the guy who looks after the site.
So I arranged to see another plot, the last available plot on the site. The gentleman who runs the allotment told me it was an odd shape so I started to fear the worse, but when he showed me it I really liked it. It is a triangular plot, and a lot less overgrown that the original one. Also it already has 4 fruit trees (3 plum and 1 apple), blackcurrant and blackberry bushes.
With a bit of help I think we could have the plot cleared and ready for action in one day (or at least part of it). So I will be tempting friends to come along with the promise of a barbecue and a share of the fruits of their labour.
My new plot looking North to South.
My new plot looking South toNorth.
I have got an allotment plot!
Well I got a call yesterday to say that I have reached the top of the waiting list for a plot at my local allotment. I was told the plot is very overgrown so I can have it rent free until April to compensate.
I have to go and see the plot this weekend and let them know whether I want it.
I don’t really know how overgrown it will be or what work will be needed but I am thinking that a Fylfot Hearth/Guardians day with the help of comrades will sort whatever needs doing.
I will let you know once I have seen the plot.
Sorting the back garden
One of the downsides to owning an American Staffordshire Terrier is that you can kiss goodbye to grass and plants in your back garden (yard).
We put up a fence to keep him off the grass but it made him depressed so that idea did not last long, so we just left things and they got worse and worse.
Finally, Saxon grew up to the point where he became slightly less destructive so we thought we would get the garden sorted.
Below are the pictures of how the garden looked and what I did to it. First I tried seeding the grass and although the far end took ok we eventually had to turf the near end.
My Garden…Pics
I only have a small back garden (back yard to American friends) and it was destroyed shortly after the arrival of Saxon to the family. Staffordshire terriers were, contrary to what you might have heard, not bred ot fight bulls, but to eat gardens.
Well we finally decided that we wanted our garden back and made a plan that we would use stones around the outside and sow grass seed in the centre. The stone we used is called Celtic Quartz which is pretty cool.
We are really pleased with the results and although there is a little more to do, such as replacing the wood around the pond, it is pretty much done.
The pictures below give an idea of what we started with and where we are at now.
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- The task ahead. Fence was to keep dog off grass. It didn’t work!
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- Fence removed and started to remove grass.
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- Taran helping to pot some plants.
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- Me, marking out the border.
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- Saxon trying to get snake.
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- Starting to take shape
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- Progress after first couple of days.
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- Almost done. Grass seed has been sown and can be seen in corner.
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- Sitting area which will be secluded by honeysuckle.
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- Pruning the lower parts of these bushes gave them a whole new look.
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- View from first floor.
