Wednesday 10 April 2013

Ladies of the shallot

This week we shared some allotmenteering with a good friend.  Here's the lesson plan.

Go to the 'pound shop' and buy one pack of shallots (Allium ascalonicum).  These are handily on sale at 99p.

Unlock shed and collect garden rake.

Walk friend through allotment and show other shallots in situ.  It's been a long winter.  Some shallots are sprouting.  They were put in much earlier than this. 

Show friend spot for shallots.  Last season there were broad beans on this raised bed.  Onions follow beans according to the books I read on rotation.

Tramp the soil and then rake.  Friend tramped and raked enthusiastically.  Saw once again that when teaching others I am less slapdash.

Space shallots and dig holes to correct depth with small hand trowel.  Trim shallots at the top and plant.

Ten shallots successfully sown.  Tools returned to shed.  Now comes the wait.  And the homework which I set myself. 

Go away and read Tennyson's poem.  The Lady of Shalott.  Where are you in this narrative?  Would you like to choose or indeed can you be both?

Shalott or shallots?

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