Its always good to refresh the soul with Nature and Fresh air… today was such a day.. The Sun shone and it was time to go to the allotments and dig in some Manure.. We had a trailer load delivered last week but because of the weather, snow and freezing rain it was impossible to get started..
My husband dug while I cleared the shed out and we had a productive couple of hours..
For those of you who have just started to follow Dreamwalker’s Sanctuary you will find more on the page Grow Your Own of last years planting in our allotments.
Here are the photos of how it looks today..
Below is the view as we walk down through our allotment gardens.
Above is our plot, ready to winter Dig.. the pile of Manure you can see ready to be spread.
There are around 54 barrow loads been deposited on top of the ground you can see here, they will be left to soak in a while, before being dug in.
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~Making My Own~
On Monday I sat in my home feeling the wind chill blow through the bottom of my door.. While my exterior doors are well insulated a draft was whirling through from the hall around my feet.. So I set too to make a Draft excluder.. As I looked around to see what I could use. I found an old pair of brown trousers of mine which I had put to one side for the charity bag…It only took me around an hour and a half and Bill and Ben were Born…
Above is Bill who I made using the trouser legs I made ears and a tail and put button eyes and nose on him, then I set about making Ben, his brother who you can see Below.
We can all of us turn our hands at making those pennies go further, and I’m sure if your browse around the web you can find many Craft Blogs which can give you great ideas..
Have you made any new things recently and why not share them with others..
I hope you enjoyed my little Post today as I’ve had a few days off from work its been good to blog and catch up with many of you..
Enjoy your special Day and Loved Ones..
Blessings
Sue Dreamwalker
Dreamwalker's Sanctuary 
Feb 14, 2013 @ 17:50:13
Love Bill and Ben, no wonder your grand daughter enjoyed them so much. Your allotment plot has to be one of the largest plots I’ve ever seen! I have finally chosen what I will be planting this year, but haven’t gotten beyond that point.
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 17:54:29
I think I put the measurements down on my Grow your Own page.. and yes its large and its a well kept allotment site with around 150 allotments on there all together.. The land was left by the Duke of Portland for the purpose of letting it for allotment holders.. We pay £65 per year rent, with insurance.. .. We have the seeds, but need to prepare the ground well first 🙂
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 17:58:33
That’s a great price as well, even with the cost of your allotment you must save quite a bit on groceries
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 18:17:19
Yes we freeze the excess of our Veg which see us through the winter months, We had a bad season last year due to constant rain which rotted alot of things.. But we got a bumper crop of peas and Runner beans, So nature gives and nature takes 🙂
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 18:22:34
Grow your own is to be encouraged for everyone, which is a sustainable and healthy alternative to the food sold in food stores.
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 18:30:06
Yes especially meat products at the moment Alex! 😉 … But we much prefer our own Veggies, at least we know what we are eating! .. Thanks for dropping in 🙂
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 20:32:36
I’m not very green-fingered, I’m afraid to say Sue, so I’m not allotment orientated, but I remember your posts from last year and know how much you enjoy it. I love Bill and Ben – a very creative way for an old pair of trousers to end up!
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 20:37:39
Thanks Tom,, Yes the Garden brings us both lots of delights .. and especially when we get to eat our produce..
glad you liked Bill and Ben.
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 22:44:03
Growing your own if the the wisest and most affordable way to go, I think.
Thank you for sharing, Sue.
Have a wonderful evening! xxx
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 09:51:11
Thanks Deb, yes and the best thing is we get to eat fresh produce and know exactly what made it grow 🙂
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Feb 14, 2013 @ 23:27:46
I so admire those of you who plant and grow. I have the best of intentions, but I’m just awful at it. 😦
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 09:54:55
Practice makes perfect and talking to our plants and surrounding them with positive energy helps!.. and of course sunlight and watering! 😉 in correct amounts! 🙂 thanks again for contributing great to see you again 🙂
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 02:30:09
I am looking forward to planting this year. I am not certain I will see it all to harvest, as I am hoping to be moving house this summer. I cannot wait to see what takes off this year.
The boys are terrific. I have mostly been making clothes for the children, since I am working these days more than usual. I am looking forward to my rest in two weeks. I hope to have more visiting time as well.
Happy Hallmark Day to you and your darling. ❤ xxx
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Feb 18, 2013 @ 18:45:20
I hope Red that you get to plant and see the fruits of your labours.. 🙂 Love and Hugs
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 06:28:58
Hi Sue! 🙂
My grandmother had a quarter of an acre as her kitchen garden and I speared my foot at one point while doing the digging!!! 🙂
It was amazing what she grew – we used to say she could grow a stick of wood!!! 🙂
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
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Feb 18, 2013 @ 18:50:03
I remember you saying about your speared foot Prenin… your grandmother sounded to have been a lady who knew a thing or two about gardening.. 🙂
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 10:56:41
Your allotment looks splendid already to go, hope the ground wasn’t too hard. It will interesting to see what you are growing in there .
As for your handy work wow you sure are very clever, I don’t think I would have thought of that Sue ..It’s great to use old stuff I love doing that , whether it’s textile or anything else. Well done love it.
Hugs Sheila xx
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 13:46:19
Thanks Sheila, well we have drawn up a plan this year, and are planing to experiment with some more raised beds which worked very well with the carrots last year.. But I will be keep you informed .. Thanks for your wonderful encouragement Sheila..
Hugs Sue xox
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:28:10
I love Bill and Ben, what a wonderful idea!
We here in Texas are discouraged from growing our own in our backyards, have been for, I think it will be 6 years now. It could be 7, We have been under water restrictions due to drought. I guess I will just continue to haunt our Farmers Markets, but your allotment sounds wonderful.
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 13:49:09
Thanks Val, thats a real shame about not being allowed to grow your own veggies,, I hope that there are some Good Farmers Markets for you to go to.. Nothing beats home-grown and Fresh
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 14:56:43
Hallo liebe Sue das ist viel Arbeit,aber eine wunderbare Idee alles mit den eigenen Händen zu schaffen,wir hatten auch mal einen Garden haben ihn aber abgegeben weil Mann war Krank und alleine war es zu viel Arbeit,aber es ist ein schönes gefüll mit Mutter Erde verbunden zu sein.deine Bastelarbeiten sind auch sehr schön,ich bin ja immer noch fleisig am P.C. an lernen viel kann ich noch nicht.Ich wünsche dir noch einen schönen Tag und gutes Weekend,und vor allen Danke ich dir für deine Freundschaft.In großer Liebe Gislinde
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 15:03:27
Gilinde, ich danke Ihnen für Ihre Kommentare hier sind sie immer willkommen .. Sorry, dass kann man nicht gärtnern das gleiche jetzt. Aber es ist gut ja .. und wir genießen es .. Vielen Dank für Ihren wunderbaren Freundschaft .. liebe Sue
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 15:12:19
You really do grow you own! Impressive! I have just a backyard so I only grow herbs and a few tomatoes in pots but even that is rewarding. We have an early spring here and have had a mild winter. Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by to like a post and comment. I will enjoy seeing how you grow your own.
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 15:26:25
Thank you 🙂 even growing in a few pots can produce good results.. Do you like runner or Kidney Beans.. these can easily be grown on the patio/or backyard in a sunny position, I have grown before in a tub, with canes fastened like a wigwam at the top, the beans grow up the sticks, Like Sweet-peas! and you can pick to your hearts content when you want to eat them.
🙂 Thank you for stopping by also 🙂
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 15:43:13
I bought plants yesterday, tilling tomorrow (~_~)
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 16:03:48
Great!…. its so satisfying 🙂
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 19:17:55
Haven’t you been working hard! And look – snow! It’s all gone here and there’s even a hint of potential spring in the air 🙂 Bill and Ben are lovely, I could do with them for my door and the swirling draft afflicting my wolfie paws as I type!
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 19:20:51
Awww Poor Wolfie, you need to curl up in your nice warm blanket bed and tuck your nose between your paws! and forget about typing,.. I dont know how you manage it.. well maybe I do. One claw at a time! 😉 xxx
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:31:05
Any chance you could make me some paw warmers?!! I’m certain you’d do a wonderful creative job of it 🙂 xx
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:36:33
Loved your post illustrating the use of the old of pants…great idea!!! and garden prep never is early enough but that white stuff! what is that? hahaha…. haven’t seen snow for many years…well not that many. enjoyable reading and viewing.
wonderful ideas! much love, Eddie
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Feb 16, 2013 @ 01:36:32
I love the brothers — quite dapper while holding down their end of the fort!! 😀
I would love to plant a producible garden, but our land is mostly rock. I’ve tried to plant tomatoes in a pot — the first year, we had no clue what we were doing, and it did fairly well … but it has been no go ever since … it’s either been grasshoppers and/or bugs or blossom rot. The drought of the past couple of years has not helped. But I am willing to retry again in the Spring. Thank you for the encouragement. xoxo
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 20:52:02
Wishing you well in your Spring replant.. 🙂 Never give up, nature never does.. 🙂 Many thanks Becca for dropping in …
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Feb 16, 2013 @ 09:48:18
Soil preparation is the key Sue, as I am sure you are perfectly aware. But that “double digging” is not for me lol. Bio dynamic gardening is an interesting way to grow. But I have yet to try it. I hope the pestilence that is destroying the bee population does not effect your crop. Wishing for you a bumper harvest Sue.
I made a draft excluder years ago, it was a snake about 3ft long. We called it slimy slim, my daughter was frightened of it. lol. I don’t recall what happened to him. Perhaps he slithered under the door in a bid for freedom lol.
take care old friend. 🙂
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 21:03:51
Smiling at your draft excluder Kenny and yes we so need our Bee’s.. And Gardening is hard work, but rewarding…. Thank you for your visit my friend so nice to see you
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Feb 16, 2013 @ 21:41:03
I adore Bill and Ben! So cute and creative. Wow at the manure work. 🙂
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 21:05:16
Thanks Kourtney, yes but not so smelly when cold! 🙂 and Bill and Ben are doing a great job…. Snug by the doors… 🙂
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 07:06:25
That’s one awful lot of manure Sue, good luck with the garden… It’s summer here now and I’ve been growing tomato’s this yea, much more than I could ever need
…
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 21:08:10
Yes it is Lady Jude, and if I had stood at the side of that pile it would have reached over the top of my head thats how large it was,… a few more barrow loads have been spread since the photo…
Hope you enjoy your tomato’s we grow ours too, but last year because of the constant rain and low temperatures many didnt turn red.. I had to pick them and ripen them on the kitchen window sill…
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 09:14:00
the feeling that u did a hard job its always a good feeling afterwards..
So we did it..Yess YESSSSSSSSsss And now u will have a beautiful garden in spring ( it smells??? te manure i mean)
Waiting for more photos in some weeks.
Enjoy the weekend Sue
Huggy
Mj
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 21:12:12
I will keep you updated as to the progress of the allotment MJ, and yes agreed a very good feeling of a job well done… .. And the Manure isnt that smelly in the cold weather thank goodness 🙂
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 18:38:12
I am glad you had time off from work! Being crafty is fun, I like to scrapbook 🙂
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 21:27:22
I have a scrapbook in the wings, awaiting the scraps!.. Thanks Christy , and yes time off work was good.. seems Im working backwards these days.. days off in the week and working weekends 🙂
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 19:11:47
Great…We must never forget how to plant a garden of food and love the door sentries guarding you from the cold….A great week ahead for you….:)
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Feb 17, 2013 @ 21:29:25
Thank you Teira, and yes the door sentries are indeed doing a great job… Bright blessings for your own week ahead 🙂
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