Work crew on the plot at the allotment

With so much on at the moment the allotment has been neglected. I sent out an request for help to the Jnr squad (all of my younger brothers friends). we started work around 15:00 and paired up in two man teams (total of 6 of us). We worked till 20:00

One teams remit was to clear the long grass. Team two went over the brook to collect leaf mould to add mulch to the beds. Team three was to lay cardboard into the beds after pulling up any weeds.

What's working well: 
-The lasagne mulching system of laying card board, manure, then newspaper then mulch is working extremely well. little to no weeds present.
-The group effort makes for a more enjoyable effort.

Not working:
-The paths in between the beds has an abundant amount of grass and weeds.
-No yields.
-Fire fighting. I'm reacting to what the plot is doing.

Problems: 
-Lack of gravel or wood chip in close proximity to cover the paths.
-Lack of man power. I can't keep asking of others without paying them back in some way.
-Going away from end of July to mid Sept.


Next achievable steps.
- Set up the plug production in my home green house.
- Make 18 compost at allotment to have a high quality medium to plant plugs into.

Long term goals for plot. 
- Set an example of permaculture principles in action for a low maintenance and high yield plot.

Ethical food

Dates are a big deal in Ramadan for Muslims. As they are the first food to eat when opening fast.
For those buying dates, please look on the packet for the country of origin. If you don't see it stated. Avoid them.
If you'd like to compound on your feel good factor. How about Zaytoun dates which are a non profit company supporting farmers of Palestine.
Go even further and purchase them from MADE in Europe. A organisation promoting green issues.
Link to buy some triple wammy dates http://www.madeineurope.org.uk/shop http://www.madeineurope.org.uk/shop

Nearly forgot to add. If you then spread the love by giving them out to people with the intention they open their fast with them you'll be rewarded for that persons fast also. It just keeps compounding.

No school, like the old school

Was at my mothers when I decided to chop me up a fruit salad. Now we grew up eating our fruit salads sprinkled with ground cumin and salat. So I put my brother to work using am old school pestle and mortar. Mum brought this back when she was visiting family in India.

No electric needed, and a decent workout.

Leaving gifts at the end of my secondment

My secondment as I.T Trainer has come to an end after 18 months. I really did enjoy my time being a trainer and they'd offer me to stay permanently I woukd have taken it. But in these times of cuts very few teams are expanding.

The lovely folks got me some books as a leaving present. Lovely Jubley p

Heating water with residual heat

Iuse a stainless kettle to heat water after switching off the oven or electric hob.Then pour the heated water into a thermos to use later on.

East London Chooks

Today I was given a very nice gift of 5 eggs by Haf. His brother keeps some chickens in his garden in Waltham Forest. I'll be cooking these much appreciated back yard self sufficiency yields up for breakfast tomorrow.

And I shall appreciate every egg.

Pineapple Mint

I've used a few varieties of mint as a suppression ground over in one of my garden beds. The idea being I'll decide which varieties I'll keep before I cover the whole bed in cardboard/ newspaper and lasagne mulch it.

The mint turf war is being won by spearmint, which tastes best in tea. Aue de cologne mint in second place. Very strong aroma, not good in tea, peppermint in third place but this is good for tea, but weaker then spearmint and pineapple mint a very weak fourth in the turf war. Chocolate mint did not survive the year. I never got chance to brew a cuppa with this. But seems the least invasive of the lot I planted.

That's what pineapple mint looks like (see pic).
Sipping some green tea with it in. If you're growing for tea, then I recommend spearmint. But be aware it is also the most invasive. So plant in a pot to stop it spreading.