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turned plots and beds.While some of my neighbours have only just started digging their plots, others already have theirs ready. Annoyingly, at the entrance to our allotments is the most pristine and well-managed plot of them all. Every time I drive past

It's this time of year when the allotments become a frenzy of activity. Everyone is digging, composting and manuring like mad. My neighbours Mr and Mrs Ron wait until Easter, then till and plant their three plots within a week. The rest of us just

The recent sunny weather has been a godsend on the plot, as I've been able to get on with some much-needed digging. It was great to have a couple of weeks working in the sunshine.We've all felt the benefits of the good weather - spirits have been

According to the papers it's been the coldest start to December for 30 years - an average of only 1.7° C.The cold weather has hopefully killed a lot of pests, but I've not been able to get on with many of my jobs on the plot. I've not been able

-blasted, rain-lashed hill, albeit without any Heathcliff. I’m desperate to keep toasty but I can’t dig anything as the soil is too wet.I’m very lucky – my plot has a lovely, rich soil, well dug and manured by many a plot holder before me. But, like much

by the hedge to harden them off before planting them out.We've had mixed results with broad beans. I usually sow them in autumn - trouble is that they need to get established as soon as they're planted otherwise the mice can dig them up and eat them. As well

! After the disastrous summer we've had I'm relishing the thought of next season; I'm organising the crop rotation and digging the ground. The garlic couldn't have arrived at a better time.My garlic bulbs arrive by post as I ordered them online from a

on the allotments over the years.The experts, one from the local Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society and another from the university, told us that the site was discovered in the 19th century by a historically-minded vicar who had made a note of it on a map

on coming back. I dug out as many of the deep white roots as I could in winter, but it's a bit like digging for Australia - you'll never get there. Bindweed is very like couch grass in that respect, which is another of my allotment problems.As an organic

I've been harvesting potatoes like a lunatic for the past few weeks. First earlies and second earlies always seem to be ready at the same time.I've been digging up some gloriously rotund first earlies, which have been brilliant for baking, roasting