My allotment

We frequent a supermarket here that now has an allotment action. Basically for every 15 euro spend, you get a small double tub with seeds and some compost. Once you get it home, undo the cardboard and find out which of the 15 different combinations there are and start your own allotment.

You put the compost on a saucer, add some water and watch it grow. You then fill the tubs with the earth, put the seeds in and cover with the remaining earth. Put in the sun and wait for it to grow. According to the notes that come with, that first bit should take about 2 weeks. Then when the plants are about 4 cm (1.5 inch) high, you have to move them to a bigger pot where they can grow some more.

Now, the tubs are all double as the plants to be grown are 'buddies'. One plant will have a certain type of insect (like a louse) gunning for the nice bits, the other plant will attract another insect (like a ichneumon wasp) gunning for the first insect! Win win for both plants and for me hopefully.

So far I have planted Oxheart Cabbage and Dill, Radishes and Buckwheat, Swiss Chard and Chamomile and Lacinato Kale and Crimson Clover. As long as they will produce something edible (most, not all), I will be quite happy. I will keep you posted on how they are all doing.