You can cut your spent lavender down and this will help with making it grow thicker and start new branches. Lavender likes a good trim. As for making the willow curved, take two branches from opposite sides each bend toward each other and use a heavy duty coated twist tie, not a zip tie because that can cut off its circulation. Keep the twist ties on until the branches can be on their own without being held together. This can take up to a year to have the willow grow the way you like. Great job again!

You can only cut lavender back into green wood if you cut it down into brown wood it will kill it. As to your twisted willow cut the long wands back to two buds near the base of the branch. They do say if you cut some siler foil with the scissors it will sharpen them. Sarah if you cut to top off your compost bags and then down the sides and along the bottom and lay those black side up over the beds you've weeded it will warm the soil and surpress thhe weeds. Weeds will grow under fleece as it lets the light in.

You have done a fantastic job Sarah! Planting seeds is the easy part and I’m so glad you will be doing that soon. I love the twisted willow trees. They are my favorites and gives me much happiness seeing them grow 😊 The only thing with growing grass around everything you will have to mow or weed whack it down if it gets to high. Plus the moisture grass brings causes mosquitoes Ouchy 😊 Have fun with it all ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💜

Love a plan, the allotment is looking good. I would clear the earth, make the beds and move them about to find the best layout. The turfs maybe lay them in upside in the bottom of your compost area. Bark Chipping for the paths, grass will get everywhere plus you have the both of cutting it.

Looking good Sarah - the grass pathways will be great and it sounds like a good plan to wait to do the main one in Autumn. Composting takes a long time and I was surprised to learn about the variety of things you need to add to make good compost. I googled it. It needs a balance of stuff, old cardboard/papers, household scraps, coffee grounds etc. It needs to be turned from time to time as well - we ended up getting a barrel shaped one that sits on a frame that you can turn over every so often - easier than digging it over. There is also stuff you can buy to add to a compost heap to help break things down and add balance. Over here it's called "Yates compost maker". Loving your progress - lovely to watch!

Can't wait to see your sunflowers! xx

Oh sweetheart the grass your digging up just use it as you would rolls of turf. I do I just get the little bits and use them like a jigsaw puzzle and you'll save loads of money. Even if it's just for the small paths around the edge. Then if you need to then soil and seeds but seens as your digging it up it will only got to waste x

The only good thing about mowing a lot of grass is it smells sooo fresh and clean. More work but it will look really lovely and no tiles to slip on when wet 😊 Another great day with you ripping thru those pesky weeds. More and more progress ! Love and hugs to you and Mick 🥰🥰 xx

Great video. Plot looking great. I've never tried the fleece trick on my raised beds but think I'll now give it a go 👍

It's always a pleasure seeing the allotment . So peaceful .

I’m a big lover of sunflowers to. We grew chocolate. red and the transitional ones last year. I can spend an eternity watching the bees on them, looking forward to seeing yours. In regards to your blunt scissors I highly recommend purchasing a sharpener t restore them. The one I have is brilliant and only cost around £12-15. It’s handheld and it’s extremely easy to use. You just follow the edge that’s already on the item, normally at 45’ degree angle. It would also come in handy to sharped spades and shears etc. As for the compost there’s a thousand different ways to do it and it’s more a science for the serious compost makers. Some people put fleece on beds to help warm the soil up to help with germination but it’s not a have to job. Have you thought about wood bark chips inbetween your beds? It’s cheaper than stones and lighter to carry. If your set on having grass then just take the weed suppressant off and the grass will soon grow back.

Blessings on every seed you sow.

Hi Sarah. Doing a great job. I'd leave the weed mat on the paths. Looks lovely and neat and whipper snipping all those paths would add a lot of work and arm and back pain.

Really enjoy your gardening ❤

Glad to see the birds have found the feeder! I see people saying it’s squirrels but I’m pretty sure they would have demolished the actual feeder if they were there. I made the mistake putting out fat balls and the pigeons and squirrels have the feeder open and empty or on the floor empty every day😒 Now I have to buy ANOTHER squirrel proof one and more food. They are costing me a fortune!!😅

Hi Sarah, allotment looking great. Scissors don't cut jack 😂😂😂 haven't heard that for a while.😅 don't do grass paths,look nice but hard work. Bark is quite cheap, don't think it's so heavy. Pretend grass is good,you can get cheap at some stores and light.

When you take the turf chunks off, put them in your paths, not your compost. Saves buying seeds for a bit anyway and puts already living grass in your paths.

You are working so hard at it 'it's really shaping up . I would leave the covering on the paths or replace it with a thick layer of free cardboard and do woodchips ,especially if you can find an arborist or if you kent a boy who kents a boy ,usually you can get them for free .the cardboard and chips will break down in a few years into a nice mulch and you would have to redo it ,but you can then top dress your beds with the plant nutrient mulch .🥰

what is the reason behind putting fleece on your beds? You would have to watch putting some grass roots in your compost pile so they don't start growing in it. Basically I alternate layers in my bins, a dry layer like dry leaves and such, my plant scraps from the kitchen and garden scraps, then a dirt layer to help things break down. Every now and then you want to stir your pile and make sure it has direct heat and some moisture. It will take a while to get it all broken down for use.

Sarah I think you're more experienced than you realize. I've been gardening for 30 years, yet I don't know what that fleece is you're putting down? What's it do? And mostly, rocks...please don't, you will hate it. You can put down a weed barrier, and it will stop the weeds coming up from BELOW, but you can not stop the seeds that blow in and lay on top, and God help ya if they take root. Seriously, go for a dirt path or anything else. Just not rocks. Coming from one still dealing with stinking weeds on our lovely brick patio. I can spray, but not good for the dog. Okay, back to watching the rest of the video. PS...You've learned so much in 2 years, you're a great gardener!

Self seeded is best 😂 I may just give up sowing and chuck it all on the soil and wait. Channel,is growing great Sarah, keep up the great work, Ali 🌞🇨🇦

Put the sods upside dwon so the earthh is on the top.

You're really doing fantastic, Sarah, and honestly, you're the only gardening video I watch, im quite enthralled, too, see what you do next, and I'm really looking forward to seeing them sunflowers 🌻

Your really doing a fantastic job. Your video is very enjoyable. Keep up the good work.

I wa thinking bark for your paths, grass can be hard work mowing cutting with scissors 😮 i have done that, i wouldn't put the grass sods in the compost or any perennial weeds they don't die , the birds must love you just think sitting out in summer and looking at all your hard work, It's worth the pain 🪺🐦🐦‍⬛🕊️🌾🌻🌱🍀✨💫

You could paint cute flowers on the sides

Your doing great Sarah 👍

Your allotment is large one!! I’m very impressed with your work!! Can’t wait air to see your flowers blooming!! In the south (Alabama USA) we plant new potatoes & they are delicious when butter!!

I did not know you had a channel for your allotment.❤ Yay!!❤ glad I found you!

We plant sunflowers and seeds zinnias too!

You are without a doubt the #1 most entertaining person on you-tube!❤

Aww Sarah loving these videos. Love lavender. You could diy lavender bags lol. You're doing well xxx

I am not sure about sowing grass seeds on your paths, the grass could get everywhere, maybe experiment on a small paths with trying some of the turves you are lifting and laying them out, they won’t make good compost, too heavy😢! Watch out for rotting logs on your beds 😢hey are a perfect home for slugs and wood life. Why the fleece???? Happy gardening, I love all your energy.Are you in Yorkshire? Bloody cold and wet at the moment😩

I really enjoyed this video. I can’t wait to binge the rest of your channel. The scissors made me chuckle, that is SO my life 😂. Thanks for posting this video. 🥰

I'm late. Here's a comment!

Can you get some ground cover that flowers it spreads so you wouldn’t have to get as much

Sarah are you going to paint the new flower bed you worked on today?

Sarah the allotment is big & you’re doing so well. Now will you eat anything you grow other than potatoes? 🤔 ✌️💚🌱

How you going to cut the grass? Might dig up a potato to see if still good.

If you try to store bird seed in that shelter, you might find you are invaded by rodents of all types.

Better tearing it with your teeth🤣🤣❤️

Squirrels will raid bird feeders. We don't have allotments in the U.S. Don't really understand the concept. Do you own or rent this space? Just flowers no veggies?

Put leaves and stuff but read if use weeds you grow weeds so be careful. Use household food waste,leaves,grass cuttings .Do research

Is that a daffodil in the corner?

If your ground doesn’t freeze the potatoes should regrow, and why don’t you leave the plastic on the paths.

Open the bag from the top. You can re-use them.

You need to get yourself some scissor sharpeners and sharpen your scissors that way you won’t have to buy new ones

Might be squirrels eating bird feed!

I agree with Dolly, it’s probably squirrels getting up there and eating it.

There's nothing wrong with grass paths Sara. Like you keep saying...its an allotment not your home. Stone paths would indeed, cost an arm and a leg to buy. Keep it simple and to be frank, your more likely to trip up on stones. Your doing a great job. You'll be planting before you know it. I'm hoping Mick will be on the mend soon. Best wishes to you both. X

How about bribing the kids? You’re teaching them a skill while understanding the reality of hard work If you come play in the allotment you have to carry birdseed in your pockets & rocks in a backpack. Is that legal? Ok. It’s taking advantage of give them each 50p per trip? Damn those child labour laws