2026 - What I did today.

I've started digging out the comfrey at the allotment. I've decided that it's probably a dwarf variety as it is short and hasn't spread to much in the seven years I've had the plot. I'm hoping that means it's less vigorous with regard to growing back. I'm thinking I should try covering the area and growing in pots until I see how much it tries to push back.

Really irritated some bees and ladybirds with my digging of their favourite plant. I promise there's loads left.

^^^^^^^ I think comfey enjoys moist soil and in my experience never seemed to fare well when it was potted?

That would explain why it's very happy on my plot. I'm actually hoping to reduce the amount I have and grow either flowers or vegetables in pots on top of where it was formerly growing. But I know it can be hard to get rid of.

Sown seeds. Washed polytunnel inside & out, potted on a few more tomato seedlings. Did a bit of tidying in the tunnel. Weeded and amalgamated a couple of terracotta pots they both had a couple of antirrhinums that has survived the winter. Did a little bit more weeding in the cottage garden

Tidied up the chard plants, picked some chard and weeded the area. Transplanted grass clumps to bare patches. Gave the puppy 3 cuddles, she is rather demanding.
I'm trying to train the puppy to not expect a fuss every 15 minutes. I feel so horrid not responding to little yips for attention. All this interspersed with spells of being mechanic's mate. The ride on mower is finally back together and starts, thank goodness. I haven't got a good word to say about the designer of this Lawnflite mower. There were several bad words said.

Weeded a patch (previously known as Bed 1A). Planted a rosemary, sage and pineapple sage (grown from cuttings) and scattered some old Monarda/beebalm seed there. Its going to become a herb tea shop . There are already 2 different mints and a Cedronella there.
Cut back 2 apple trees that have spread over the lawn and are too low to mow under.. Hope they survive their drastic haircut

Sowed seeds with the kids. Went to the park where we chanced into a playdate with friends, so my husband and I went to the allotment for an hour. Dug up comfrey and put wood chip on the paths.

Finished sieving the compost and spread the last bucketful around some rhubarb. Pulled some rhubarb from another rhubarb cluster.
Started to chop up the apple tree branches from yesterday.
Pruned some lavender and took some "accidental" cuttings. Put them in a pot of compost.
Took cuttings of Taunton Deane perennial kale and stuck those in some compost too.
Put some old Seakale seeds to soak overnight. Not holding my breath for these as the instructions are to sow immediately and these are between 3-5 years old! It really is time I stopped hoarding and started sowing!!

Brought home 2 past their best roses from the cut flowers in the 2 holiday cottages. Took cuttings from them. Finished tidying the tunnel. Potted up 3 nasturtiums that had germinated in the last raised bed to be filled with well rotted manure. Which has now been done & Covered with fleece. Did a little more weeding in cottage garden. Removed most of the mulch I’d put on one of the beds last autumn. Unfortunately it was mostly sticks, so it wasn’t very successful at suppressing weeds. I have big plans for that bed tomorrow.

Finished spot weeding the veg patches that are now ready for P to dig over when he gets his @rse in gear. Transplanted some potted strawberry runners into gaps. Dug up and potted on some volunteer parsley seedlings before they get dug in. P mowed the back lawn resulting in clippings for the compost bin.
Noticed several jobs needing doing. Buddleia branches broken in the wind needing cut back. Remains of last years compost needs sieving and bagging to make room for this year's stuff. Fruit cage needs weeding, raspberries sorted and gaps filling. Thug blackberry needs telling who's boss.