Back to basics

I have more time for the allotment now the winter is here, so have been gradually reining it in.  Both the plots really went a bit wild over the summer, and I was panic stricken when I thought of the work it would involve to bring them back in line. 

I know, shameful isn't it?

I decided I needed a different approach.  When I took my plots on I had a lot of time on my hands.  I skipped about like a Babycham Bambi and made pretty borders and beds, which quickly became magnets for weeds.  I naively increased the amount of grass I had to mow,  even though I knew how difficult it was to get a mower onto the land.  The lithium battery on the strimmer was soon down to half power, and I frequently found myself wading through a sea of green.  Then the lawn was taken over by an invasion of tall daisies which spread like wildfire, and the only thing I could do was smother that part of it with black plastic.

It is time to focus on what is central, both spatially and in terms of goals.  I need to work on the fruit and vegetable beds, to increase the fertility of the soil, and make them weed free and manageable. 

I also need to cut down on the amount of grass.  In fact, it's my aim to gradually replace it with green plants traditionally used in medieval times for creating lawns.  I have pennyroyal, creeping thyme and lawn chamomile ready in my seed box for sowing in the spring.  Together with golden and common oregano, I am hoping they will gradually drive out the grass, and then the green areas will hardly need mowing.  There is a patch of oregano in the lawn which already seems to be doing this quite successfully, so I think it might just work.