A rainy Sunday morning meant trimming and mowing the grass around the plot was a particularly muddy event – wellies required for the first time in ages!

The arrival of Sarah bought a change in the weather by 2pm though and so some investigation into the crops began.

I had noticed the potato leaves were turning yellow and was concerned they were not ok. However a quick google revealed that in fact leaves turning yellow can mean the crop is ready and so we set forth with the spade to dig up some plants – and would you believe it?

A wonderful potato miracle has occurred down on 94b. And some of them are monster spuds!

Add to this the courgettes (yellow and green varieties) broad beans and beetroot, and a yummy vegetable feast is planned for Sunday supper 😃

Now I know why I love this place so much …

Aubergine, squashes, cauliflower, Savoy cabbage and broccoli have all been sown today too – progress to follow …

And so home to complete another Project that’s underway : harem pants for yoga – quite pleased with the way these are turning out and most definitely the most comfy attire for exercise!

In the words of an old tv ad: ”…. aye, has bin a good day’

It will come as no surprise to those that know me to hear that my modus operandi regarding planting on my new project was pretty much ‘sow the seeds and scatter’ – learn by experience I thought and see what grows and what doesn’t …

However, a minor miracle appears to have occurred down on Project A – everything has grown! Honestly, not one failure (except for one of three raspberry bushes purchased that didn’t take but other two are fine)

Now I realise that for the experienced well-read gardeners amongst you this result may be somewhat annoying – however, there it is.

The Universe has smiled on my little space and it has brought forth some bounty ….

So – and here is where I need the help of you more experienced plants men and women – today I wanted to discuss courgettes. Now I must admit that these were purchased as two tiny plants from my local nursery and planted straight outside back in April. They had a slow start but are doing beautifully now – and are already fruiting.

But here’s the thing – I expected the green small cucumber like courgettes – but I did NOT expect to get this tennis ball size yellow squash like fruit as well!

I   Is it normal to have two kinds of fruit? Is it a male/female thing perhaps?

As you will realise, I am a total beginner here!

I am delighted with these rather magnificent and unusual plants but need to understand more – all input welcomed!

Being a single parent is a privilege. I became one in 1993 when my children were 1 and 4 years old. Their father left and we never saw him again. We now know he moved to Spain and died in 2010. Bringing the two up has been an incredible, amazing and life affirming adventure. We were, and are, a unique team of three and believe all things are possible.

Fast forward to January 2015.

Both the children are independent, amazing adults with great futures ahead of them – #oneproudmum.

But ….  All that focus and attention has to go somewhere …. my relationship with a long term love had crashed and burned at Christmas – I needed a purpose, and so out of the ashes Project Allotment was born.

My local authority informed me there was a half plot (5 rods) available, and despite the fact the  plot was a tangle of brambles weeds and grass the clearing commenced using only a spade and the help of trusty friends – (Alex  Sarah and Megan – couldn’t have done it without you). No chemicals or machinery were to be used in the revitalisation of my precious space.

Each weekend throughout January and February (and thanks to a wet but mild winter) we worked on clearing the plot. By March we had it cleared. A path in place, courtesy of someone’s old cement kitchen flooring tiles; an arch courtesy of eBay, and a shed from Wilko.

Customised lavender paint was wizzed up in Homebase; a sunny Spring day spent painting with Sarah; and Allotment 94B was born! A true Phoenix and a symbol of my new beginning ….

This blog will talk about my learning and growing produce at 94B, as well as the adventures and experiences of a working, novice allotment-holding ’empty nester’.

……your expertise, experiences and thoughts will be greatly appreciated ….