My plot is a mess 😞 I haven't been over since Easter when it was so wet and muddy I was advised by a seasoned plot holder it was too wet to plant my potatoes. Obviously moving house then took priority and in those 2 months, it's turned into this! 😳
I had more or less resigned myself to getting a warning from the committee although I have kept them up to date with the changes going on in my life. Then unexpectedly a kind wonderful committee member offered to help me get it cleared enough to get planting.
She messaged me on Saturday to say she'd 'made a start.' Omg I went over this morning and it's more than half cleared!! I was so overwhelmed 😭
I had Luna with me on a long lead and despite having been a long walk, she went crazy! I think it's all the smells, Emma was the same. But using just one hand I was able to plant out my surviving shallots and threw netting over my fruit bed. Last year the birds ate all my berries (see HERE) so I'm taking no chances this year!!
Long term I don't know what to do about the allotment. I can't work it when I have Luna with me and she can't go back to doggy day care until August (3 months after her season has finished and she's been spayed.) She's not used to being left on her own in the house although I'm working on this. I'm going to try taking her there as often as I can in the hope that she'll eventually calm down a bit. But I'll not be able to work it properly while she's there. Fingers crossed I can keep it ticking over until August at the very least.
How kind of the person who offered to help. We've had a few allotments over the years and they are lovely but very time consuming.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
She really is a superstar! Totally agree they are time consuming and I just don't have any Luna free time atm. She's also discovered digging which is not what I want her to do at the plot!!! :-) xxx
DeleteWhat a wonderful committee member (and friend) who made such a good start for you.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of getting a stake to attach a line-lead to for Luna while you are at the allotment. I used to do this with Mavis, when I moved sides of the veggie patch I moved her stake to be closer to me and she learned to settle down on a blanket while I worked.
She's gone above and beyond! She just has a passion to keep people gardening. I'll look into getting a stake or similar but the problem is Luna is so big she can just barge at stuff and pull hard to free herself! :-) xxx
DeleteWhat a kind thing to do! Hope you can find a solution for Luna so that you can keep your allotment providing you with food. I notice lots of people on caravan sites have screw in long stakes that their dogs are tethered to when they are outside. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI'm def going to investigate one of those! The issue is that she's solid muscle and so strong. I could practise at home with it first :-) xxx
DeleteThat really is a very kind and thoughtful (not to say back-breaking!) thing to do. Does Luna like chewing things? If so, you could get her a new chewy toy to keep her occupied for a short period while you do some work. When she gets used to you being near while she is busy with that you could try gradually extending the time. It might be frustrating, but you would be showing willingness to the committee and preparing the way for when you can get back on track in August.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, she loves chewing things especially my plants!! But good plan to get a new 'special' toy just for the plot :-) xxx
DeletePerhaps you could get her one of those little feeding 'mats' that you smear dog food onto and they have to spend ages licking it all out, but only use it at the allotment so that she has something to look forward to when you take her there.
DeleteYep she loves a licky mat. I use these all the time so need to find something different that's just for the allotment. Maybe those stinky fish skin twisty things?? :-) xxx
DeleteHas Luna been cage trained? If she's ok with a cage (and assuming it fits in your car), could you take it to the allotment and put her in it? If she can see you nearby, she might be ok. How lovely of that lady to do all that work for you, what a star.
ReplyDeleteShe really is a star! Luna has not been in a crate since she was much smaller so not really an option. I'll just have to manage my time better in the next 6 weeks and call in my DIL to dog sit when I really really need it. My son and DIL are busy trying to get their own flat sorted out so I don't want to abuse their goodwill :-) xxx
DeleteIt was really kind of the committee member to help you. Fingers crossed you will be able to manage it now, as it would be such a shame to give it up, after all your hard work. Xx
ReplyDeleteI'd like to keep it until I can sort out my garden into a growing space. Right now Luna needs all the grassy space but as she gets older I want to add raised beds etc :-) xxx
DeleteHow very kind of that committee member. She really did an excellent job of clearing things out. I hope Luna settles down the more she visits the allotment with you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
This member is an absolute power house of energy! Fences needed fixed, she's on it. New gate needed, she'll build one. I am so lucky she's my friend :-) xxx
DeleteMy brother’s two golden retrievers are boisterous but as he takes both to training he has trained them to stay tied to a stake, maybe do it in the garden lots of treats and increase the time slowly.
ReplyDeleteYes I'm going to practise in the garden every day with lots of treats!! :-) xxx
DeleteA lovely kind gesture!
ReplyDeleteNothing will stop my lab pulling. He's never been in a crate, so that's not an option for us, plus he's very big. I have to do everything with him in tow. On occasions when we meet family at the seaside, we put him in kennels for the night as he'd be a nightmare on a busy beach! I am at the end of my tether TBH.
I know this is just a phase and she will calm down eventually. It's just so frustrating right now when I want to do a lot of things while the weather is decent. Plus once she can go back to day care it will help. She loves running around and playing with the other dogs. It really tires her out!!! :-) xxx
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