Jbardet's Profile

May 2013

After that very cold spring, we have eventually got to work on the allotment. Most of what we want to grow this year is now growing, including 3 potato crops.
The garden is now more as is should be in spring with signs of bird nesting success in the form of stumpy-looking fledgeling sparrows & dunnocks visiting the feeder.
My latest pride & joy is a young Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata). It is still in a clay pot on the windowsill & has grown to about 5in. tall. Fingers crossed for some flower spikes this summer.
Interestingly enough, I also recently discovered a self-sown, Spotted Orchid growing in the back garden (so far leaves only), so it's 'Orchid-Watch' all round.

August.
The self-sown, Spotted Orchid came into flower on June 27th and continued until the end of July. Here's hoping for future seedlings!

The allotment has been yielding potatoes since late July (that's just earlies) plus broad & runner beans, black-currants, strawberries, raspberries & enough rhubarb to sink a small frigate.