Back To Eden Allotment - First Summer....

It is summer in my 'Back To Eden' Allotment.  I hadn't realised when I set out on this journey that it would be such a walk of faith.  I find that I am so inclined to want to see an instant return for my effort, to be seen to be successful.  Objectively, the back to eden method has not shown instant results.  The above image is a stock image of someone else's successful tomato harvest purely used to keep my hopes up.

In the first few months of the season I put in quite a bit of effort with seed sowing and had little return.  Either the seeds sprouted and died.  Or they got eaten by slugs.  Onion sets sprouted nicely to begin with, and then shriveled up and died.

I watch my more experienced allotmenteers with no-dig Charles Dowding plots reaping an abundant harvest - and it has been difficult to keep a smile with my unorthadox method.  I constantly find myself reassuring others, and myself mostly, that this will get better.  Hoping and praying for better returns as the woodchip begins to break down to form more fertile compost.  Feeling pretty inadequate and self conscious knowing that my failures are on public display for all to see.  While all the time the allotment police look on with a wary eye at my meager efforts.

But there have been some signs of hope to keep me going.....  When it was evident that my seed sowing was failing - my next door neighbours rather kindly donated 4 plants some of which are now doing ok.  This is still pretty sparse over the space but better than nothing.  One courgette couldn't cope and gave up the ghost.  A cucumber is becoming more happy, and just gave me my first cucumber.  And a crown prince squash has found the earth and is beginning to romp away.  All started off anemic yellow and stayed that way, between life and death for maybe 2 months.  They are now greening up nicely.  Also had some donated tomato plants.  So these small wins are bouying me up.

My first cucumber, I felt like a child discovering a new toy.  However small and humble the beginnings.  Jesus asked for child like faith to believe and I have certainly needed it.  I think learning anything new requires us to get in touch with our inner child, to support him or her in the up and down journey of discovery.

Another good success has been the blueberries.  They have really enjoyed themselves giving me quite a few berries, considering this is the first year of planting.  And the birds haven't touched them.

The apple trees are happy.  The grape vine wants to take over the world and with no support it is having a lovely time.

Three of the four decapitated trees (not me) are springing back to life.  So the pear is going bonkers with suckers - more like a pear hedge.  One of the plums is doing well and the other is looking a bit sick and browning.  I have a design to turn it into a bird table if it decides it can't go on.  The apple tree that was taken off at the ground, is sending out suckers.  So all that is an interesting experiment.  It seems fruit trees can be brutally trimmed and they will happily come back.

Over time there has been a certain amount of weeding.  The site has a problem with bind weed.  so I will keep pulling this out and hope it goes away eventually.  A few brambles popping up here and there.  Otherwise it has been extremely manageable.  I have kept a tidy edge to the plot keeping the grass from coming in and that will be a necessary regular ongoing job. 

The shed rather happily blew away in the spring storms.  So that is one less thing to worry about.

And in other news there is rather a lot of badger activity to contend with and they predictably love digging holes in the mulch to find worms.

Anyway, that is the update.  Hard going, trying hard, failing a lot, but a few crumbs of hope to keep me going and a good dose of faith is needed.  I still believe back to eden will work and I will have an abundant harvest the likes of which is the stuff of allotment folklore.  Plus I have convinced one or two others that this may work in theory!  I will be patient and trust the process.......

Thanks for following along with me on my back to eden journey.

Sage X

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At kingdom plants, I am learning all the time, eight years trading and I am now learning the fine art of veg growing.  There is a whole world to learn about with gardening.  I try to keep an open mind about new and old methods, selecting those I think will work for you.

If you would like me to come and work on your garden - call me in.  I will be happy to meet you and help you.