Friday, 2 September 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Finally, some photos of the allotment
I have finally got round to taking a few photos, including a shot of the red currants from 2 bushes in the fruit cage. I couldn't believe the amount to be picked.
The potatoes are starting to be ready for eating, beginning with the First Early Casablanca - first impressions are they are a little low on flavour and difficult to prevent from becoming too soft when boiling. The Charlotte are also close to being ready so I'll dig up some of those tomorrow and compare them.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
The garden June 20
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| Delphiniums at last - 24 years trying... but there didn't seem to be any slugs this year! |
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| This astrantia has really grown since last year - it's a beautiful pink |
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| These chocolate dwarf foxgloves have been 3 years developing and growing from seed. Well worth it! |
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| Stachys and self seeded california poppies |
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Monday, 30 May 2011
End of May update
After a hot and dry April, May turned out to be increasingly different and definitely cooler and wetter.
It has been a great help for the allotment, both for the already planted crops and the newly sown seeds, so hopefully the final harvests won't be too badly affected by almost a month of drought conditions.
Most recently, the beans have all been planted out (dwarf and climbing varieties), and successional sowings of beetroot, radishes, carrots, chard. I've also sown two double rows of peas in the hope that finally we'll see some success. The pot grown seeds didn't germinate well enough so I bought new season peas and we'll hope for better with those.
The spinach and chard are growing well, the pak choi showing signs of something or other attacking it - probably flea beetle after checking on t'internet. I'll need to try some form of protection, as for the carrots once they germinate.
It has been a great help for the allotment, both for the already planted crops and the newly sown seeds, so hopefully the final harvests won't be too badly affected by almost a month of drought conditions.
Most recently, the beans have all been planted out (dwarf and climbing varieties), and successional sowings of beetroot, radishes, carrots, chard. I've also sown two double rows of peas in the hope that finally we'll see some success. The pot grown seeds didn't germinate well enough so I bought new season peas and we'll hope for better with those.
The spinach and chard are growing well, the pak choi showing signs of something or other attacking it - probably flea beetle after checking on t'internet. I'll need to try some form of protection, as for the carrots once they germinate.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Quick update on Spring so far
It seems a long while since the last entry and we've had a good 4 weeks of very summer-like weather and virtually no rain until the past two evenings. It was certainly much needed and should give a boost to several things recently planted.
All the potatoes are growing well and hopefully the recent rain will help the tubers develop.
The broad beans seem more or less to have survived the early onslaught from bean weevils so now it's a case of being vigilant about black fly!
All 3 trees continue to thrive. They have been watered very regularly and although the almond tree is still lagging behind the other two a little it looks healthy.
Recent sowings of seed direct into the plot have all germinated, including beetroot, radish, spinach, chard and pak choi. The trick now is to keep up the successional sowings.
I transplanted the brussels sprouts plants into the cage and they will be followed in the next day or two by the spring cabbage plants.
The rhubarb is almost ready to pick, and will be followed in not too long by currants and strawberries. In due course the raspberries will develop - in summer, hopefully for a long season.
I'm hardening off some sweet corn plants which ought to be in the ground soon - fingers crossed we don't suddenly get hard frosts.
Two types of french beans and a runner beans are all growing well in pots and they should soon be sturdy enough to plant out as well.
3 grow bags are already planted up in the greenhouse with Alicante tomatoes and some Gardeners delight will follow soon. Likewise I'll be putting some chili plants into large pots to keep in the greenhouse.
Any spare tomatoes can go into the allotment plot but on past experience they have not been as successful as those grown in the greenhouse.
All the potatoes are growing well and hopefully the recent rain will help the tubers develop.
The broad beans seem more or less to have survived the early onslaught from bean weevils so now it's a case of being vigilant about black fly!
All 3 trees continue to thrive. They have been watered very regularly and although the almond tree is still lagging behind the other two a little it looks healthy.
Recent sowings of seed direct into the plot have all germinated, including beetroot, radish, spinach, chard and pak choi. The trick now is to keep up the successional sowings.
I transplanted the brussels sprouts plants into the cage and they will be followed in the next day or two by the spring cabbage plants.
The rhubarb is almost ready to pick, and will be followed in not too long by currants and strawberries. In due course the raspberries will develop - in summer, hopefully for a long season.
I'm hardening off some sweet corn plants which ought to be in the ground soon - fingers crossed we don't suddenly get hard frosts.
Two types of french beans and a runner beans are all growing well in pots and they should soon be sturdy enough to plant out as well.
3 grow bags are already planted up in the greenhouse with Alicante tomatoes and some Gardeners delight will follow soon. Likewise I'll be putting some chili plants into large pots to keep in the greenhouse.
Any spare tomatoes can go into the allotment plot but on past experience they have not been as successful as those grown in the greenhouse.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Potatoes all planted
By the last day of March I had managed to finish the planting of all our seed potatoes, and in a period of relatively mild weather too, although a little rain was much needed.
We have Casablanca (1st early), Charlotte (2nd early salad potatoes), Milva (1st main crop) and Valor (late main crop). If we have half the success of last year we'll have plenty of potatoes!
I've also dug in most of the green manure and will finish digging the rest of the plot in the coming week so that everything's ready for more seedlings and seeds direct into the plot.
Meanwhile buds on the apple and plum trees are slowly starting to open and hopefully the almond tree will not be far behind.
We have Casablanca (1st early), Charlotte (2nd early salad potatoes), Milva (1st main crop) and Valor (late main crop). If we have half the success of last year we'll have plenty of potatoes!
I've also dug in most of the green manure and will finish digging the rest of the plot in the coming week so that everything's ready for more seedlings and seeds direct into the plot.
Meanwhile buds on the apple and plum trees are slowly starting to open and hopefully the almond tree will not be far behind.
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