The Lotty

The Lotty’s looking wild this year
we haven’t been there much
Lockdown saw to most of that
but we’ve still kept in touch

Emily’s been there more than us
and kept it in some shape
but living several miles away
it’s quite a trip to make

So long grass meadow is the norm
with wood chip in between
coupled with a lovely pond
the best we’ve ever seen

The sage and all the lavender
with fruit bushes have born
a harvest to be grateful for
whilst the weather has been warm

But as with all experiments
and a woeful lack of rain
some things have not fared quite so well
which really is a shame

Still, the Lotty’s looking lovely
and I’m pleased it’s there to share
as there’s always other stuff to grow
whenever we are there

So we might find a root crop
or some vegetables that need
less water there to prosper
when we’re not around to feed

Because we will keep on coming
and we’ll always lend a hand
as the Lotty is quite special
and our own small plot of land

©Jemverse

Photo – the new Lotty pond that Emily and Will built – Jempics

First Lavender III

We’ve not been to our allotment
Covid-19’s seen to that
But Emily our daughter
has been keeping it intact
We’re seeing lots of pictures
which she takes from time to time
and I’m pleased to say as ever
that it’s looking mighty fine

But no substitute the pictures
for actually being there
and by that we’re disappointed
as the work we’d like to share
But in spite of that of course
the allotment keeps on growing
and Emily, bless her heart
continues with the sowing

So imagine my delight
when today she brought a gift
Something from our allotment
my spirits for to lift
First lavender in its glory
fragrant, wonderful, sublime
With the promise of abundance
when it’s lavender picking time

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Our bit of land

Went to the allotment
it was quite overgrown
and not too much sign
of the things we had sewn

But after a while
spurred on by the weather
it was looking quite peachy
as we worked together

Enough rhubarb there
for a crumble or three
and the last of the lavender
just waiting for me

A butternut squash
in the weeds there we found
yellow and gorgeous
and close to the ground

And a few summer berries
from the shrubs on the side
Raspberries and blackcurrants
to give us some pride

And yes there’s more grass
than growing plots here
but it is our allotment
and throughout each year

We’ll play and discover
new things from the land
which we have there planted
by our own loving hand

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Cherry blossom lovely

The cherry blossom’s in full bloom
on the allotment in the sun
as I sit here and write a while
now the strimming is all done
The grass grows quick this time of year
so I’m down here quite a bit
with spare batteries in my bag
in case the good ones quit

It’s quite cathartic working here
watching as things grow
but it’s nicer still just sitting
in the sunshine, as you know
So I’ll sit here with the blossom
beneath the deep blue sky
content to ponder for a while
as time slips slowly by

©Jemverse

Photo – cherry tree blossom, Ham Field allotments, Shoreham, Sussex. Spring 2019 – Jempics

Our Allotment

On our allotment
In the sun
Shadows caught
Whilst having fun
Strimming grass
We laugh and smile
Whilst planting stuff
For quite a while
For this is ours
This little plot
Where we will plant
And grow a lot

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Allotment day 2

So we got our mitts all muddy
on the allotment yesterday
But the digging was successful
in every single way
For now instead of jungle
we can see the earth again
and it’s ready for the planting
in the sunshine and the rain

The weather was a tonic
as we dug our bit of land
And though we say it now
ourselves, it’s looking pretty grand
And as we promised we intend
to keep it looking fine
As we want to see the produce
it will bring from time to time

©Jemverse

Photo – our allotment (after) – Jempics

Allotment Day 1

We’ve been remiss
and months have passed
since we last came this way
So it’s not much
of a surprise
that nature’s had its say

The weeds are rife
the grass is long
the mud has all but vanished
But we are armed
with all the tools
to see that this is banished

We’ve come to dig
we’ve come to weed
we’ve come to plant and sew
Because this is our
allotment and
we want some stuff to grow

So we have made
a promise true
this year to not be rotten
and make that
the effort’s made
so growing’s not forgotten

©Jemverse

Photo – our allotment (before) – Jempics

[See ‘Allotment 2’ tomorrow for the ‘after’]

Digging Weeds

Digging weeds
is hard and hot
and our allotment
has a lot
But it’s rewarding
when we see
things we’ve planted
growing free

©Jemverse

Photo – from #Jemverse on instagram, June 2018 – Jempics

Of planting and weeding and watching things grow

Went to the allotment
the sun wasn’t there
But I attacked all the weeds
that had grown everywhere
And I planted nasturtiums
and more lavender too
To add to the ones which
from seedlings I grew

I watered the onions
and talked to the beans
Said they would soon grow
in the light and sunbeams
It’s not looking bad
and the grass is quite short
But things aren’t growing
quite as fast as we thought

Mind you, the lavender
(My favourite by far)
is looking quite lovely
and spectacular
It’s attracting the bees
which is what we all need
As they will in turn
pollinate all the seeds

And nature’s life cycle
when the summer is done
will yield I am sure
lots of produce with sun
Which we’ll then partake
and enjoy with good cheer
Before planting begins
once again come next year

©Jemverse

Photo – Ham Field allotments, Shoreham, June 2018 – Jempics

Flowering Sage

Whilst most now it’s November
has died and gone away
Flowering sage remains and
brightens up this Saturday
The allotment turned for winter
just some brussel sprouts remain
That, and the flowering sage
until the springtime comes again

©Jemverse