I have now planted a row of 10 Arran Pilot First Early potatoes, and 10 Charlotte approximately a week later. There are still 30 more Charlottes to plant so I might wait until I'm back from Sweden (from Tuesday 8th April onwards) to plant more potatoes and increase chances of a succession.
The 12 raspberry canes (Polka) from Thompson & Morgan are now planted towards the rear of the plot in a section previously devoted to fruit canes. They get great reviews so we're looking forward to Autumn fruit.
The plum tree and apple tree are covered in blossom so hopefully will provide more good fruit later in the year. The plum tree split under the weight of fruit last year and I had to remove a major branch, so it is to be hoped that the tree remains healthy and strong this year,
I have also planted 10 shallot sets in a deep bed, and 10 strawberry plants, thanks to Kay & Mick's donation.
The central section of the plot is now two thirds dug over so that should significantly increase what we can grow this year. It might be a good idea to put some of the remaining potatoes there to help break up the soil.
In the greenhouse things look good: broad beans in pots are all growing well, as are the sweet peas in the root trainers. The leeks and White Chard look healthy and the salad leaf is slowly growing away. Perhaps because night time temperatures are still likely to drop quite low, the potted on tomatoes and chillies are growing quite slowly but all look healthy so I'm hopeful they'll soon start to pick up.
I made the first sowings into pots of yellow courgettes (Gold Mine) and green (Romanesco, actually bought in Sorrento last year!) so will keep an eye on them and hope I wasn't too quick off the mark.
For sure, this year Spring seems to have arrived far earlier than last year, and long may it, and Summer, last!
Sunday 31 March 2019
Tuesday 5 March 2019
More seeds for the greenhouse in modules
Although the temperatures have significantly dropped since the February 'heatwave' I think it's safe to plant both Chard and nasturtium seeds in compost in modules and hope they'll germinate in the greenhouse satisfactorily.
The tomato seeds in the propagator germinated within a week (not so the chillis but I think they generally take a fortnight anyway) so had to be moved to a spot with more even, less one-directional light. Plugged in to the conservatory socket in the corner looks like it should work OK and hopefully it won't be necessary to make any further sowings.
The sweet pea seeds are 'chitting' in a sealed plastic container on damp kitchen towel (as advised on the T&M website) on the front room window sill. Once they've sprouted I'll plant them in trainer modules and try to keep them in reasonable warmth for a while.
The tomato seeds in the propagator germinated within a week (not so the chillis but I think they generally take a fortnight anyway) so had to be moved to a spot with more even, less one-directional light. Plugged in to the conservatory socket in the corner looks like it should work OK and hopefully it won't be necessary to make any further sowings.
The sweet pea seeds are 'chitting' in a sealed plastic container on damp kitchen towel (as advised on the T&M website) on the front room window sill. Once they've sprouted I'll plant them in trainer modules and try to keep them in reasonable warmth for a while.
Thursday 28 February 2019
First post of 2019!
After using a notebook for most of last year, I'll try a little blogging about the allotment as well for 2019.
In an especially warm and dry spell in early February, it was ideal to make some serious headway with preparing the plot for the new season.
I managed to prepare all our existing raised beds, leaving some leeks in place and still harvest-able for the next 3 or 4 weeks. I also managed to clear and dig over the entire part under the framework close to the path, and also do a final pruning of the two vines. After last year's great harvest, and eventual grape jelly, I'm hopeful again for more lovely grapes but still wondering whether to add one or two more seedless plants.
I've also prepared the whole patch towards the rear of the plant in front of the shed so that will be fine for planting potatoes from 1st April onwards. We already have 40 Charlotte (waxy salad potatoes) and 10 Arran Pilot (First Early waxy variety) chitting, and 10 shallot bulbs in the conservatory.
The central area of the plot is most in need of attention but at least it is largely covered by weed suppressing material. However, I really need to make sure it is completely cultivable before too long.
In trays in a propagator in the lounge I planted some Gardeners Delight tomato seeds and some Italian chilli seeds, so will keep an eye on those until germination and try to make sure they don't become too straggly.
In trays in the greenhouse I have planted leeks and mixed Italian salad leaves. In pots I put around 18 The Sutton broad beans to try to give them a head start before eventual planting out.
We have ordered 12 raspberry canes - Polka, an Autumn fruiting variety - as a start in the revamp of the raspberry crop and I have almost completed a fresh planting bed for them towards the rear of the plot but not in too dense shade.
I am taking part in a project related to links between food banks and donations of fresh fruit and vegetables to them, and have already had an interesting introductory chat with the project manager Dr Richard Wiltshire.
In an especially warm and dry spell in early February, it was ideal to make some serious headway with preparing the plot for the new season.
I managed to prepare all our existing raised beds, leaving some leeks in place and still harvest-able for the next 3 or 4 weeks. I also managed to clear and dig over the entire part under the framework close to the path, and also do a final pruning of the two vines. After last year's great harvest, and eventual grape jelly, I'm hopeful again for more lovely grapes but still wondering whether to add one or two more seedless plants.
I've also prepared the whole patch towards the rear of the plant in front of the shed so that will be fine for planting potatoes from 1st April onwards. We already have 40 Charlotte (waxy salad potatoes) and 10 Arran Pilot (First Early waxy variety) chitting, and 10 shallot bulbs in the conservatory.
The central area of the plot is most in need of attention but at least it is largely covered by weed suppressing material. However, I really need to make sure it is completely cultivable before too long.
In trays in a propagator in the lounge I planted some Gardeners Delight tomato seeds and some Italian chilli seeds, so will keep an eye on those until germination and try to make sure they don't become too straggly.
In trays in the greenhouse I have planted leeks and mixed Italian salad leaves. In pots I put around 18 The Sutton broad beans to try to give them a head start before eventual planting out.
We have ordered 12 raspberry canes - Polka, an Autumn fruiting variety - as a start in the revamp of the raspberry crop and I have almost completed a fresh planting bed for them towards the rear of the plot but not in too dense shade.
I am taking part in a project related to links between food banks and donations of fresh fruit and vegetables to them, and have already had an interesting introductory chat with the project manager Dr Richard Wiltshire.
Thursday 21 April 2016
Thursday 21st April 2016
Just a quick update from yesterday. 15 pre-potted up onion sets are ready for the allotment either tomorrow or over the weekend. Also ready will be the cabbage and broccoli plants into ready prepared deep beds.
14 pots of Roi des Conserves climbing peas (with 3 or 4 peas per pot) are now in the greenhouse and if they successfully germinate they can be grown on a little until being put into the allotment where a prepared bed is waiting for them.
14 pots of Roi des Conserves climbing peas (with 3 or 4 peas per pot) are now in the greenhouse and if they successfully germinate they can be grown on a little until being put into the allotment where a prepared bed is waiting for them.
Wednesday 20 April 2016
Sunny 20th April!
After what has seemed like endless rain for the past few weeks, finally today was dry and sunny.
This was a great opportunity to check the raised beds and sieve a couple of them and apply manure to the other two.
In one of the freshly sieved beds I planted 3 rows of beetroot, 2 rows of parsnips and 1 row of radishes. They are all mini rows around 3 feet long but once (if) these seeds germinate, it'll be time to sow more beetroot elsewhere and possibly more parsnips.
I'm ready with fleece in case the night-time temperatures drop too much - something distinctly possible judging by current forecasts.
Next to reach the plot will be pre-planted red onion sets and some brassica plants with everything having had a head start.
This was a great opportunity to check the raised beds and sieve a couple of them and apply manure to the other two.
In one of the freshly sieved beds I planted 3 rows of beetroot, 2 rows of parsnips and 1 row of radishes. They are all mini rows around 3 feet long but once (if) these seeds germinate, it'll be time to sow more beetroot elsewhere and possibly more parsnips.
I'm ready with fleece in case the night-time temperatures drop too much - something distinctly possible judging by current forecasts.
Next to reach the plot will be pre-planted red onion sets and some brassica plants with everything having had a head start.
Wednesday 6 April 2016
October 2015 update
I'll add some photos soon - especially of the chilli crop so far (Long Slim Cayenne and Ring o' Fire, both from the greenhouse) the grape crop at the allotment, and the few squash plants which made it to maturity before the plants just seemed to wither away.
The Winter brassicas are really thriving and with the protection of the new fruit cages and a good dose of slug pellets we hope they'll remain healthy until they're ready to eat.
We've been enjoying the leeks already, and the remaining ones should continue to grow a while longer before reaching their potential.
Martin and Paul gave me a big hand yesterday with a load of manure which Martin had fetched in a trailer from the place where Kay's sister keeps her horse. We've never had such a good consignment of manure so I'll make every effort to prepare the ground and spread the manure over it before winter comes.
The Winter brassicas are really thriving and with the protection of the new fruit cages and a good dose of slug pellets we hope they'll remain healthy until they're ready to eat.
We've been enjoying the leeks already, and the remaining ones should continue to grow a while longer before reaching their potential.
Martin and Paul gave me a big hand yesterday with a load of manure which Martin had fetched in a trailer from the place where Kay's sister keeps her horse. We've never had such a good consignment of manure so I'll make every effort to prepare the ground and spread the manure over it before winter comes.
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| Long Slim Cayenne (left) and Ring o' Fire (right |
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| Butternut squash, yellow courgette and Lord Lambourne apples |
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| Black grapes - maybe Black Hamburg |
2016 here we come!
Very belatedly here's an overview of work on the allotment so far this year.
Most preparation of the ground has been done at the allotment although the soil is very heavy in places after regular periods of heavy rain. Linda and I also have a plan for most parts of the plot so we'll try to stick to that as the year progresses.
First things into the plot - today, 6th April - were 8 x Arran Pilot First Early potatoes and 10 x Swift First Early potatoes. 8 to 12 weeks from now we should see some lovely new potatoes - fingers crossed. The remaining 16 x Charlotte potatoes will be planted within the next two weeks, weather permitting.
In the cold frame I have planted 15 Sutton broad beans which should be germinating any time now. In the greenhouse there are some Gardeners Delight tomato seedlings which were germinated in our own heated propagator, along with some chilli seedlings.
In the greenhouse we have red onion sets planted up in small pots to give them a protected head start before putting them in the soil.
Also in the greenhouse, two types of sweet peas are just germinating, as are some sunflowers. The brassica plug plants from DT Brown's are all thriving having been potted on in the greenhouse: 10 x Broccolli Stromboli, 10 x Cabbage Regency, 10 x Cauliflower Helsinki. Using deep beds and lime in the soil preparation, and covered with enviromesh I'll do my best to produce reasonable crops although good cauliflowers would be a super bonus! 4 x Romanesco green courgettes and 4 x yellow courgette seeds are also in the greenhouse and should germinate within the next 10 days.
Most preparation of the ground has been done at the allotment although the soil is very heavy in places after regular periods of heavy rain. Linda and I also have a plan for most parts of the plot so we'll try to stick to that as the year progresses.
First things into the plot - today, 6th April - were 8 x Arran Pilot First Early potatoes and 10 x Swift First Early potatoes. 8 to 12 weeks from now we should see some lovely new potatoes - fingers crossed. The remaining 16 x Charlotte potatoes will be planted within the next two weeks, weather permitting.
In the cold frame I have planted 15 Sutton broad beans which should be germinating any time now. In the greenhouse there are some Gardeners Delight tomato seedlings which were germinated in our own heated propagator, along with some chilli seedlings.
In the greenhouse we have red onion sets planted up in small pots to give them a protected head start before putting them in the soil.
Also in the greenhouse, two types of sweet peas are just germinating, as are some sunflowers. The brassica plug plants from DT Brown's are all thriving having been potted on in the greenhouse: 10 x Broccolli Stromboli, 10 x Cabbage Regency, 10 x Cauliflower Helsinki. Using deep beds and lime in the soil preparation, and covered with enviromesh I'll do my best to produce reasonable crops although good cauliflowers would be a super bonus! 4 x Romanesco green courgettes and 4 x yellow courgette seeds are also in the greenhouse and should germinate within the next 10 days.
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