tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80576003437223612532024-03-21T05:37:37.317-07:00WeedyBeanzMy Warwickshire AllotmentRachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-11337173849791221642014-04-13T03:46:00.000-07:002014-04-13T03:46:02.561-07:00Pond nearly finished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is the pond with some water and plants in it. It needs a water lily or something as it is in full sun most of the day which can cause a build-up of algae. I have put a couple of spreading plants around the outside edge and sowed a few seeds, and I will be adding more stones as I rake them off the plot. Beyond the pond I have spread a thick mulch of bark chips (we had a delivery from a local tree surgeon) so no weeding in this area this year :)</div>
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These are some half hardy annual seedlings, dahlia Bishops Children, Morning Glory and Zinnia. On the right are Aquilegia seedlings.<br />
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These tomato and chilli seedlings are in my 'inner greenhouse', which is my small plastic greenhouse inside the main greenhouse. At the bottom of it is a thermostatic tube heater, which keeps them warm at night.</div>
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-10922234219453419722014-02-23T03:23:00.001-08:002014-02-23T03:23:17.212-08:00New Season Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My new pond has had about 12" of water in it for the last few weeks, but by yesterday it had all drained away. We have had a few really good days this week, which by lucky chance has coincided with my week off work (half term), so I have been taking advantage. I have pruned all the fruit:</div>
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dug over the onion patch and the potato patch:</div>
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planted a row of shallots and sowed another row of broad beans. Maybe I've been a bit hasty but I got quite carried away. It is nearly March, and it has been very mild so I think I will get away with it. I've got my seed potatoes laid out chitting, and I've sown some leeks and sweet peas in the greenhouse.</div>
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You can't beat a freshly dug patch of earth - so satisfying!</div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-27216730840087313462014-01-17T09:14:00.003-08:002014-01-17T09:14:56.893-08:00Peppers and Pond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My gardening mojo has been in a state of dormancy over the last few weeks, I haven't really been interested in anything gardening-related, mainly because of the weather. I haven't been able to do anything significant on the plot since before Christmas, I doubt if anyone has. I left a couple of pepper and chilli plants in the greenhouse at the end of the summer, mainly through laziness, but also because the plants still had unripe fruit on, and I couldn't bring myself to throw them away, even though I knew they wouldn't ripen....or WOULD they??? Well, some of the chillis did continue to ripen, and a couple of weeks ago I noticed the chillies were going mouldy, but the peppers still looked perfect, so I brought this stalk in and put it in the vase to see what would happen, and lo and behold! Not only ripening, but still plump and wrinkle-free.<br />
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One thing I have been doing at the allotment, mainly before Christmas, is digging this little pond:<br />
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At the moment, there is about 6" of water in the bottom, along with a couple of drowned worms and two large drowned green caterpillars. Caterpillars in January??</div>
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There is a lot of work to be done: I haven't done any digging yet, the whole plot needs to be dug over and prepared, plus all the fruit needs pruning and weeding, not to mention finishing off the pond. Well if the forecast is to be believed we are due a dry spell at the end of the month and not before time - I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in now!</div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-76538548045285989142013-10-21T04:55:00.002-07:002013-10-21T04:55:56.525-07:00Smashing Squashes and Cheeky Chillies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a selection of this year's squash harvest. We have already eaten a couple, and there are several more still out on the plot: an elongated pumpkin, and a few interesting hybrids, the result of cross-pollination from last year. The seeds must have been in the compost I planted my potatoes in, and when the first potatoes were dug, the seeds germinated. I left them to see what would happen, and the long warm summer has enabled them to produce some nice fruit. There are a couple with obvious Crown Prince parentage, and one which is round and bright yellow.</div>
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These Orange Habanero chillies got off to a very late start, and although they have spent the entire summer in a very warm conservatory I was concerned that they would never ripen, but eventually they have. They look so innocent don't they - the jolly bright orange colour - in fact they are <i>seriously </i>hot, a little will go a long way. I have also grown some Caribbean mix (not very hot at all), some Bulgarian Carrot (very hot) and Memorial Day (very/quite hot).</div>
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The pepper on top is the only one to have started to change colour. The peppers also got very delayed by the cold spring, so most didn't even produce fruit, and the few fruit I did get are all still green, apart from this one, encouraged by the banana.</div>
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I now have two weeks off work, and the forecast seems to be for rain/heavy rain for the foreseeable future. However, I have planted all my tulip bulbs, some garlic and some broad beans, I'm up to date with the most urgent allotment tasks, and I have got a couple of indoorsy projects to work on - a patchwork quilt, and some paintings of the flowers I have been growing over the summer, so I can relax and enjoy.</div>
Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-65636980868442414162013-09-01T09:46:00.000-07:002013-09-01T09:46:20.203-07:00August Produce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes I know it's actually September, but only just! This mini aubergine is half the size of a standard aubergine. I have three fruits on two of my three plants - the other two are quite a lot smaller, so not exactly good value in terms of yield, but it's satisfying to have produced some actual fruit.</div>
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A Marmande tomato - with growths on its bottom. The flavour isn't much to write home about, but they're a good size.</div>
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I ate these for lunch today - not quite as sweet as I had been hoping for, but perhaps I have picked them a few days too early, we'll see with the next ones...</div>
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I have found a way of using the mouse melons, which everyone seems to like - pickling. I have made about three jars full, and there are lots more coming.</div>
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Meanwhile, we are getting plenty of raspberries, and the blackberries - well to be honest I'm considering putting them on my local Freegle site, I can't possibly use them all! Also still lots of courgettes, beans, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes. I have been watering my celeriacs liberally, and pulling off the outer leaves regularly, and the signs above ground are promising, quite a bit of visible root, but I'm not pinning my hopes too highly for what's underneath.<br /><br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-85902981278348504042013-08-20T09:13:00.000-07:002013-08-20T09:13:16.483-07:00Ryton Gardens and Bee Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VuQ1WCYZLi3a7OFUvbe5gCz1A-e8qXH7QSmvdQsE7CkSnwiqJ60_5J3NjA0QPKOoN1qnoVhQc17QFwRjLo7PJoQYAmVuBTnifzL-c2OndW5UhxZW5LqswnTXfdo1tG1rSd0Te7QeDcM/s1600/IMAG0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VuQ1WCYZLi3a7OFUvbe5gCz1A-e8qXH7QSmvdQsE7CkSnwiqJ60_5J3NjA0QPKOoN1qnoVhQc17QFwRjLo7PJoQYAmVuBTnifzL-c2OndW5UhxZW5LqswnTXfdo1tG1rSd0Te7QeDcM/s320/IMAG0118.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Yesterday we visited Ryton Gardens for their <a href="http://www.rytongardens.co.uk/whats-on-at-ryton-gardens/events/">Chilli Day and Exotic Crops Fair.</a> While my son and husband took the chilli challenge and stocked up on hot sauces, I had a wander in the allotment garden, and was greatly inspired by the squash frame, above. You can actually walk underneath this squash tunnel, and there are beans growing up the other side. I am now trying to think up simple ways to replicate this on my allotment!</div>
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The lady who runs the allotment garden (and the bee garden) at Ryton came to our Annual Allotment BBQ last weekend to give us a talk on 'organic methods of pest control'. When she saw our bee garden (which is in its first year and looking a bit sparse) she promised us a box of divisions and seedlings from the bee garden at Ryton, and these I picked up and brought back yesterday. We will be extending the range of plants to include butterfly-friendly flowers, buddlieas, scabious etc. The numbers of peacocks on the buddlieas around our garden this year have been staggering. Now we are left with hundreds of pieces of wing all over the ground underneath!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bee Garden in its first summer</td></tr>
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<br />I have been busy making jam: blackcurrant, loganberry & blackberry, and plum. Also lots of blackberry sauce but I can't make any more jam until I get my hands on some more jam jars. Like most veg-growers we are having a glut of courgettes, and I have just attempted to make a courgette and chocolate cake, but unfortunately it's disgusting. Burnt on the outside and raw and soggy in the middle. I've never seen so many blackberries as I have this year: great big juicy ones too, even the wild ones.<div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-17300427037040022912013-07-25T03:46:00.000-07:002013-07-25T03:46:00.439-07:00Garlic Plaits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iO_IMcPPkTGqJAucKGPwbOVoAuhrAcpL8MYLESRkkdhtY6oaL_XaGoze2J8dOq3h0ZxvfRU_WMr95DgdnbMjIQAROFlZVvh7jv76YXubozYCm0RLB7EETME3CuqDUKydOqDxwyD5zNg/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iO_IMcPPkTGqJAucKGPwbOVoAuhrAcpL8MYLESRkkdhtY6oaL_XaGoze2J8dOq3h0ZxvfRU_WMr95DgdnbMjIQAROFlZVvh7jv76YXubozYCm0RLB7EETME3CuqDUKydOqDxwyD5zNg/s320/DSC_0286.JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaycXt-PvuUEWxyyl-m4lH9JJZJvBY2_0g5_SzXVWFNSa2vS8SspRAmQYn2o9hyZcb2xy6tEiL8ojvhbKR2INiYNDrIMQJFmiq0qxf3XwW_joQAA4jC8YuFzq5VN7XO2XdgP_Q9CepCoM/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaycXt-PvuUEWxyyl-m4lH9JJZJvBY2_0g5_SzXVWFNSa2vS8SspRAmQYn2o9hyZcb2xy6tEiL8ojvhbKR2INiYNDrIMQJFmiq0qxf3XwW_joQAA4jC8YuFzq5VN7XO2XdgP_Q9CepCoM/s320/DSC_0287.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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I have followed the instructions in Gardener's World August edition, on how to make a garlic plait. I think I need more practice, but that's all the garlic I've got this year! I will have forgotten what to do by this time next year.</div>
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Meanwhile, in the greenhouse, the first of the Sungolds are just about ready to pick. We have had our first cucumber and there are LOTS more to come. I have flowers on my aubergines and chillis and even a couple of green fruit.</div>
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Things were getting rather parched down at the allotment, until Tuesday morning, when we had some very impressive thunderstorms and heavy rain. It's done the plot the power of good, and with the weather remaining warm the squashes are putting on several inches of rambling growth daily, as well as producing plenty of flowers and the first few fruit. Courgettes are coming thick and fast. On reflection I'm quite glad I didn't plant outdoor tomatoes, as the warm damp conditions are ideal for the spread of blight on tomatoes and potatoes, but for everything else it's great growing weather. </div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-79422894452522754312013-07-07T10:27:00.001-07:002013-07-07T10:27:27.912-07:00 Blooming Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx422ReINeqsAmmGxhePmYp1hOB3dZCbsaXCK1WkTQATCUoJYRXKR2ESwJ3l-ipBLDZlHNDFOMLTkwCiMEap-MEMJeP9SMxanWlb84-k8O9Y4yWZev4rnm6DAgic2HXgL6nHvtDXjtj2o/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx422ReINeqsAmmGxhePmYp1hOB3dZCbsaXCK1WkTQATCUoJYRXKR2ESwJ3l-ipBLDZlHNDFOMLTkwCiMEap-MEMJeP9SMxanWlb84-k8O9Y4yWZev4rnm6DAgic2HXgL6nHvtDXjtj2o/s320/DSC_0226.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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I have been picking flowers regularly for the last couple of weeks now and they are starting to come thick and fast. These are anemones and chrysanthemums. I have been really impressed with both of these, especially the chrysanths, they are so easy to grow and last for ages in a vase. I also have some extraordinary sweet peas which start off purple then gradually turn electric blue. I will post a picture soon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe9ypgF9tEuMuXtebb3raQPnnOYH-PlyprznzSN3PXSeWBH1S7gJcokjJjcl084RrJAOZZ4GVO0C-P3ciizPm984__0FuKFexjViZo6dmJ_aRaOJx6Zw8KJHPvTXMaSqvZCADrKp5ozI/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe9ypgF9tEuMuXtebb3raQPnnOYH-PlyprznzSN3PXSeWBH1S7gJcokjJjcl084RrJAOZZ4GVO0C-P3ciizPm984__0FuKFexjViZo6dmJ_aRaOJx6Zw8KJHPvTXMaSqvZCADrKp5ozI/s320/DSC_0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Other flowers I have been picking are elderflowers, here being brewed up into cordial. These lemons are also home grown, there are still a couple left on the tree.</div>
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All the crops are starting to get going now that we have some fine warm weather, and I am hopeful that I might even get a harvest from the peppers and chillies which I had just about given up on not long ago. I have been up at the plot early in the mornings this weekend, trying to get everything done before a) it gets too hot and b) the tennis came on. What a result for Andy Murray! Finally!</div>
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My plot is looking really tidy at the moment, and apart from everything being a couple of weeks behind, it's all doing well now. I might even go and take some pictures later.... and pick some more flowers!</div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-68145448451350963042013-06-06T14:10:00.000-07:002013-06-06T14:10:52.250-07:00Blue Poppies and Mustard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpgVV1ox0oCE1IFLK0TNeI70CUUxC3_eP73m7rJ_XunHynZXzXzWgjfeVjBWZ9I_4sX9AOyrwpMM6nqBQvyQUPcL7Jo5jXW6dYTT0XAPAp8dsx7X07M7RjcPXKdyx9Zy2Vee-k4M21B4/s1600/DSC_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpgVV1ox0oCE1IFLK0TNeI70CUUxC3_eP73m7rJ_XunHynZXzXzWgjfeVjBWZ9I_4sX9AOyrwpMM6nqBQvyQUPcL7Jo5jXW6dYTT0XAPAp8dsx7X07M7RjcPXKdyx9Zy2Vee-k4M21B4/s320/DSC_0206.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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I came home from a week away to find this beauty had produced its first flower. I've been waiting ages for this. Here's another one just coming out:</div>
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Below is a patch of mustard green manure, which was just about to start flowering, so the first job I had to tackle was to cut it down. I've left it on the surface to mulch down until my leeks are ready to go in. Believe it or not I did it all with a pair of secateurs, which may sound bonkers but you see I didn't have a strimmer with me and the shears were just too much like hard work. (I'd been up since 3.30am to catch the plane home)</div>
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There has been some progress at the plot, a few beans have come up but I've planted some more in pots as back up. Back home in the greenhouse however, everything looked more or less how it did before we went away, a bit disappointing. Chillies are still only an inch high, some of them. Still, there are always a few failures aren't there?</div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-14611389822583119362013-05-12T09:33:00.000-07:002013-05-12T09:33:25.813-07:00Hungry gap harvesting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This time of year is known as 'the hungry gap' - when your winter/spring crops have all been eaten and your summer ones are not yet ready. If you are very organised AND have plenty of space there are things which are ready at this time of year, such as spring cabbages, cauliflowers and early salads. This year things have been a bit different. I have waited so long for my spring veggies to be ready, it's now almost summer (in theory). Anyway, my caulis are now finally ready, and of course they're all going to be ready at the same time. I've sown lots more for next year but now I'm wondering whether there is a way to stagger them so I don't have this problem again. They are definitely worth growing as they are currently about £1.80 EACH in the shops!</div>
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Today I have also harvested some rhubarb for a crumble, and a good sized bag of purple sprouting brocolli - another 'hungry-gap' stalwart. </div>
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I am beginning to get a harvest from my cutting patch now too. These are Camassia, Ranunculus and Tulip 'Spring Green'. On Friday I visited the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, where I spent a very pleasant couple of hours wandering around the floral marquee, getting floral inspiration.</div>
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In less than two weeks we are off to Barcelona for half term week, so as well as the usual last minute laundry, shopping and packing I will also be stressing out over seedlings not yet big enough to be planted out, last minute weeding, watering and greenhouse organisation. Usually at this time of year my tomatoes and peppers are all in their final pots, in their final positions in the greenhouse, and all my seedlings would have been planted out for the summer. But this year nothing is ready, and it's still very cold to be planting out tender crops, so I am having to ask my friend/neighbour to look after them all, which I feel is a lot to ask of someone, especially as she will be feeding the cat as well. I hope it won't prove too much trouble.</div>
Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-35390813191729485072013-05-04T10:04:00.000-07:002013-05-04T10:04:05.079-07:00Slow Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-UsqLlzmduCjy5_v_mqb-iDv4aKdvlepmhMfdDA_dbwjo5ar_yPyMh6EsrL0fZnKbrWKMcd7B3F2QhLy8I2sy4BO90QDLT70AnLP8XegrO03GKVpW90H9SyUKSs1ZSy7_hDtvIEMULU/s1600/IMAG0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-UsqLlzmduCjy5_v_mqb-iDv4aKdvlepmhMfdDA_dbwjo5ar_yPyMh6EsrL0fZnKbrWKMcd7B3F2QhLy8I2sy4BO90QDLT70AnLP8XegrO03GKVpW90H9SyUKSs1ZSy7_hDtvIEMULU/s320/IMAG0005.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXXST_iLzhEUqGe_K3XoIY3crvoUaf6Xowfc2Rkn_zQWsbzcF6uaHNyvew_FztdCtsg7N3slZokumi7qs0RzMqbV2ULa3iWvBai-6WykeLX0BZngPgFeDag2FcNE7anKoJHI1MSfNJZ0/s1600/IMAG0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXXST_iLzhEUqGe_K3XoIY3crvoUaf6Xowfc2Rkn_zQWsbzcF6uaHNyvew_FztdCtsg7N3slZokumi7qs0RzMqbV2ULa3iWvBai-6WykeLX0BZngPgFeDag2FcNE7anKoJHI1MSfNJZ0/s320/IMAG0006.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div>
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This year I have decorated my cherry tree (above left) with a windmill and some sparkly wrapping paper ribbons, to try and keep the birds off. It seems to be working, all the blossom still looks pristine.</div>
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I have put up some trellis against the rain shelter, and planted some sweet peas at the bottom, so hopefully that will look pretty later in the summer.</div>
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I now have a phone which takes reasonable photos, and is also easy to upload the photos to the computer, so I have no excuses not to take regular pictures of progress at the allotment. Not that there has been very much progress, despite the sunny weather we are now enjoying, things are still going frustratingly slowly. Seedlings seem to be taking for ever to do anything. I sowed squash and sweetcorn seeds two weeks ago, and they are only just starting to appear. In fact I have had to re-sow the sweetcorn because it did nothing. This time I have pre-chitted, so hopefully it won't take too long. There are some tiny lettuce seedlings coming up at the plot, and some tiny carrots. I have had to re-sow beetroot because they didn't appear. </div>
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However, at least my potatoes are starting to show, which is reassuring. The broad beans are starting to form flowers and the later row I sowed has also started to come up. Below is mustard green manure, which is growing where the leeks, squashes and sweetcorn will go next month. I'm a bit worried that the cauliflowers will still not be ready by the time these need to be planted out, they're so late. My spring cabbages are still very small but if the worst comes to the worst I'll just have to plant round them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwG71apTbstCftwx4MTGx8wEEGONbaU14aKcLVwgTyrX1hVcaYr4XqwmIaVjVb0Kp3ImExCOkbIhXfLUW39T_nD6N6vaSs4UKnMsW5kJE0l1VARC21UjQgcP93KkopPDHIigr3Au_2aI/s1600/IMAG0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwG71apTbstCftwx4MTGx8wEEGONbaU14aKcLVwgTyrX1hVcaYr4XqwmIaVjVb0Kp3ImExCOkbIhXfLUW39T_nD6N6vaSs4UKnMsW5kJE0l1VARC21UjQgcP93KkopPDHIigr3Au_2aI/s320/IMAG0010.jpg" width="213" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu0Tl3ZYhkTDod_dchLHSursvSRXDELvnzZRuFY79QN_1HpzTZ-WdjjOdBlQqmA94UR29lEF_q5PcPtgPSOJKr1BA2bTLO3lJI6um0vs3e9zIF0Xg-ZPEaapKRVv7gvmfI3o2jspaSdY/s1600/IMAG0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu0Tl3ZYhkTDod_dchLHSursvSRXDELvnzZRuFY79QN_1HpzTZ-WdjjOdBlQqmA94UR29lEF_q5PcPtgPSOJKr1BA2bTLO3lJI6um0vs3e9zIF0Xg-ZPEaapKRVv7gvmfI3o2jspaSdY/s320/IMAG0008.jpg" width="213" /></a> </div>
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-41185278602255880322013-04-21T08:32:00.000-07:002013-04-21T08:32:36.221-07:00What a difference a couple of weeks makes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6VVzhm0QHf3n7s2IUJZnuy_ribENW1NmSjDIgUDLwu0_d4IM4YkXaApMJgv8whuxXC8Lcrk0kfQSGEnjyea0UZ_I5KS8Y7gKwDl4_Agov6obB_uKdOlZF-B6yvXv60sECMKUInwO-pk/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6VVzhm0QHf3n7s2IUJZnuy_ribENW1NmSjDIgUDLwu0_d4IM4YkXaApMJgv8whuxXC8Lcrk0kfQSGEnjyea0UZ_I5KS8Y7gKwDl4_Agov6obB_uKdOlZF-B6yvXv60sECMKUInwO-pk/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu8DsLofZb69QKtBLk8PRLLs68wIstNfgdqUqP4jX58UhqQwT1jgUtAsWgf_z7RwtzAmw93AggT4iqrvblmK0vQSADtJzCYuOJkeJqkAbhvnvxiDbcrbM_6aCsLphhqu7UVYZfp-D-Jw/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu8DsLofZb69QKtBLk8PRLLs68wIstNfgdqUqP4jX58UhqQwT1jgUtAsWgf_z7RwtzAmw93AggT4iqrvblmK0vQSADtJzCYuOJkeJqkAbhvnvxiDbcrbM_6aCsLphhqu7UVYZfp-D-Jw/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Colour in the garden at long last, and they are not the only signs of spring:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYgyp-lXVHh0mxD7ukbnH5c5uLT0P0iHHQe0oJX1ivGFH0Md6m9TIheQF7HYVcjLNr_PU1SFflYgaL5gAF3pCJeQNOsu10njEybJ8b9POzXvzEk0fUDbByfkZ9R-dbZ75j1_hmmQq-BQ/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYgyp-lXVHh0mxD7ukbnH5c5uLT0P0iHHQe0oJX1ivGFH0Md6m9TIheQF7HYVcjLNr_PU1SFflYgaL5gAF3pCJeQNOsu10njEybJ8b9POzXvzEk0fUDbByfkZ9R-dbZ75j1_hmmQq-BQ/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This batch of spawn has been laid quite recently, the first batch we had was laid several weeks ago, and then got badly frozen and will probably not have survived. I think I saw a newt in the pond the other day but now I'm beginning to doubt myself because I haven't seen it again since.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQEAE99BvrVKW3-mFX5oj08JPe1r3vhEJbEKxkNESJyRNG11EXzha58uzHXs_LYya4rQlPMaxzOkmavUzs8nDyX-Nltn79QGjpZt_1Jh2nZAaS-HRpnKWKYaZUWwPo09LI1F5sht_0wc/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQEAE99BvrVKW3-mFX5oj08JPe1r3vhEJbEKxkNESJyRNG11EXzha58uzHXs_LYya4rQlPMaxzOkmavUzs8nDyX-Nltn79QGjpZt_1Jh2nZAaS-HRpnKWKYaZUWwPo09LI1F5sht_0wc/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are my hardy annuals, some of them will soon be ready for planting out at the allotment. This morning I moved all my half-hardy annual seedlings out to the greenhouse (from the conservatory) because although it's probably a bit colder in there at night time, it gets warmer earlier in the day and is warmer generally in the daytime so I hope they will make good progress now. This morning I have sown courgettes, squashes and sweetcorn.</div>
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At the allotment all my potatoes are now planted, and so are the onion sets which had rooted well in their modules. I have sown carrots, parsnips, beetroot, lettuce, spinach and more broad beans, and also planted a few flowering plants in my cutting patch (SO excited about this!)</div>
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It's just occurred to me that I don't have a space allocated to celeriac, which I have decided to give another try this year. I have never had much luck with purple sprouting broccoli, so I'm just wondering now whether to give them a miss this year and use the space for celeriac instead. Decisions, decisions. </div>
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-82523037530501037202013-04-08T05:03:00.001-07:002013-04-08T05:03:31.193-07:00Still too cold for planting....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
...so I've found some other jobs to do. In the fruit patch, I sprayed the couch grass a few weeks ago - I know, I'm not really keen on using weedkiller if I don't have to, but you can't really get couch grass out from among raspberries without digging up the whole lot - and now that it has died back I am planning to cover the area with bark chips. There is a big pile in the car park for anyone to use. I started this job this morning, firstly by covering the rows of raspberries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHesmSuptvvtX816jZ4M6DIh8oUM-VV3ac633KBmPq2zfPWFg9VGsyq-KwUWLnieAlQukplDUcz4O8IQp5q0C2A_1lbfH5Y_Oq_Z57kG83mJWgoQZQltkxGCwmitlNbBfusX9KVu08fg/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHesmSuptvvtX816jZ4M6DIh8oUM-VV3ac633KBmPq2zfPWFg9VGsyq-KwUWLnieAlQukplDUcz4O8IQp5q0C2A_1lbfH5Y_Oq_Z57kG83mJWgoQZQltkxGCwmitlNbBfusX9KVu08fg/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I took the temperature of the soil as well, with my new soil thermometer - result - less than 1 degree c. Closer to zero actually. So I have taken the drastic step of covering up the potato patch with clear polythene to try and warm it up a bit. I have anchored it down well with bricks, tyres and water barrels, and buried the edges with soil, so I hope it doesn't blow away or rip. I've sown what I can in pots and modules in the greenhouse, and will be doing some more this afternoon, but everything else such as carrots, parsnips, spinach etc that I would normally be sowing around now, will just have to wait.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidxvWflkvEUZflrha4oKDSL7COGp-NxQDm4lwJGI75nv29ksdpsC7qJadBIIiSNdfwA5H9cjdOXqYQlwn39Wce-iXC2oHJYBIbF9sht7Wr070ndGwwyhWmEcgo9agIn4RsmKUF_M1LLo/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidxvWflkvEUZflrha4oKDSL7COGp-NxQDm4lwJGI75nv29ksdpsC7qJadBIIiSNdfwA5H9cjdOXqYQlwn39Wce-iXC2oHJYBIbF9sht7Wr070ndGwwyhWmEcgo9agIn4RsmKUF_M1LLo/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On a brighter note, here is my first harvest of the year - a lemon - from my lemon tree! It's quite small, and not very juicy, but it definitely looks and tastes like a lemon. Naturally, I used it in a G & T - cheers!</div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-68281971072691403532013-03-17T13:14:00.000-07:002013-03-17T13:14:18.163-07:00Seed ProgressWell, it's still VERY cold for the time of year (just in case you hadn't noticed...) so progress is rather slow, and much of the normal activity for this time of year has just had to be put on hold. It's two weeks since I made my first sowings, and this is how the seeds have progressed so far:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPwhz755iCftC_wG6RD-oijXie6cva7sfEButk0yIgFEm8jMk1Cp_SlsAokmwZbvxzVI2wzLXYWh3A7a_mam24xyVlefMOJWm-6hZ2OCGrDYaoeP1i-YhHSZxs3v09SB7KyVVzVKTa_I/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPwhz755iCftC_wG6RD-oijXie6cva7sfEButk0yIgFEm8jMk1Cp_SlsAokmwZbvxzVI2wzLXYWh3A7a_mam24xyVlefMOJWm-6hZ2OCGrDYaoeP1i-YhHSZxs3v09SB7KyVVzVKTa_I/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tomatoes have done well and have been pricked out. Orange peppers and aubergines likewise, and they are inside my new heated propagator, which I picked up on Friday, 25% off and I had some vouchers to spend. I have left the vents open so they don't get too sweaty. To be honest it doesn't feel that warm inside it, but there is some condensation on the lid so it must be working. These seedlings are being kept inside in the conservatory, which is still very cold, but that's what heated propagators are for, and at least it's bright. Celeriac is doing well, and the chillies are just coming through.<br />
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In the greenhouse, the broad beans are doing ok, most of them came up in the end, just 4 no-shows altogether. These will probably be used to replace the October-sown outdoor ones that have not survivedI the cold winter. I'm still hoping to sow some more direct, when it's warm/dry enough. The hardy annual flowers are mostly coming up, still waiting for the larkspur, sweet peas, sunflowers and scabious. It's quite encouraging, given how cold it's been.<br />
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I still haven't put any onions in, I haven't really had a chance to go to the allotment, what with the weather and work etc. I'm thinking of getting a soil thermometer, as I think we have had so few warm days that the soil will be much slower to warm this year. I don't want to sow too early and waste seed. Apparently potatoes need a soil temperature of 6 - 8 degrees to grow, and looking at the chits on my spuds their little sprouts are looking a bit reluctant, and not ready to be planted anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't end up going in until mid-April at this rate.<br />
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I'm struggling to stay philosophical about the weather, I know there's nothing we can do about it, but it will be unbearable if after all this cold and wet, we have another summer like last year. Please please PLEASE Mother Nature, don't let that happen....<br />
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-6380752967607955292013-03-03T09:03:00.000-08:002013-03-03T09:03:27.838-08:00First of this season's sowing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The trusty windowsill propagator has been taken out, wiped down and plugged in, and into that has gone Sungold and Marmande tomatoes, aubergine 'Ophelia' (mini ones), red and orange peppers, celeriac, Caribbean, Orange Habanero and Memorial Day chillies. (After last year's <a href="http://weedybeanz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/celeriac-strategy-scuppered.html">disaster</a>, I've decided to give celeriac one more chance...)</div>
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In addition to these, I have done a variety of hardy annuals: scabious, sweet peas, sunflowers, calendulas, larkspur, godetia, cornflower, chrysanthemum, borage, and echium. These I have sown in pots in the greenhouse. Some are just for the bees, and some are for my cutting patch. The plan is to sow the half hardy annuals in the propagator once the tomatoes etc have been potted on.</div>
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The allotment has been almost all dug over and will soon be ready for planting. I suppose I can begin putting in onions etc quite soon. I've been delaying most of my sowing this year as it's been so cold, but I don't think onions mind a bit of cold soil. I've also got a couple of lily bulbs that have started to shoot in their packaging, so I suppose they will have to go in as well - it does say plant Feb - June so they should be ok.</div>
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After such a long, cold and wet winter I'm really champing at the bit now to get going, I think there is milder spring weather <i>just </i>around the corner now....</div>
Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-15540924369488523602013-01-30T09:09:00.000-08:002013-01-30T09:09:38.319-08:00A Long Winter Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No, I haven't given up blogging, there has just been very little allotment-related activity going on, and my mind hasn't really been on vegetable growing since the bad weather set in all those weeks ago. The only thing I have done is to re-roof the shelter with felt shingles left over from our garden office. The flimsy corrugated plastic blew off in the gales a couple of days after fixing it on. Lesson learned. I still need to fix some braces to the back and sides (it's a bit wobbly) and I might fix some of those willow hurdles onto the back and sides to keep out the worst of the weather. But the water butt is now full and will probably soon be overflowing.</div>
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These are the broad beans I put in last October/November, and they have come through the cold, snowy spell pretty well I think. I am going to sow some more in March, and I will probably do a few in pots during February as well. I want loads of broad beans, they are very popular in our family and they freeze very well too.</div>
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The garlic hasn't minded the cold either, and the onions (left side of picture) have grown noticeably during the last few mild days.</div>
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Now that the veg-related parts of my brain are coming out of dormancy, and the sap is rising (so to speak) I am starting to feel impatient to get going again. I haven't ordered any seeds yet, I'm going to wait and see whether Thompson and Morgan start sending me vouchers and offers like they did last year. In a couple of week's time I will be going off to choose my seed potatoes, and I have asked the kitchens at work for some of their empty egg trays, as I suddenly realise I have failed to save any egg boxes for chitting in.</div>
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While I haven't been giving much thought to veg, I have been getting quite excited about my new flower-growing project, and have spent quite a bit of time over the winter poring over flower seed catalogues, and learning about the technicalities of caring for cut flowers, from some books I got for Christmas. So - now I'm raring to go, just need the rain and wind and snow to go away so I can get down there and start digging!</div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-17220711287387122772012-11-18T10:34:00.000-08:002012-11-18T10:34:10.589-08:00Water Collection and Shelter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend's project was to construct a rainwater harvesting and dry tool storage structure. We are not allowed sheds on our site, so quite a few people have built something similar. Mine is fairly basic and probably not the most sturdy, but it should do the job. Above is what we got done yesterday afternoon, below is the (almost) finished object.</div>
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Apart from the two posts and metposts at the back, all the wood has been salvaged from the allotment site or from our shed at home. I did have to buy the corrugated plastic for the roof, and the guttering.</div>
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All it needs now is a bit of downpipe for the gutter, and a couple of pieces of trellis I thought I could attach to the sides, then I can pretty it up a bit with annual climbers in the summer, which will provide a bit of shade, should I ever need it. </div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-42888424356870902092012-11-05T10:08:00.000-08:002012-11-05T10:08:06.943-08:00A look at my plot<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been some time since I took my camera to the plot, so as it was a lovely sunny afternoon, (after a number of nasty wet days) and it's also been some time since I posted, I thought I would take the opportunity to update you.</div>
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I have cleared the very weedy, overgrown strawberry patch, reducing them to two rows, to make them easier to net in the summer, and to make more room for my flower patch next year.</div>
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I have put in some tulip bulbs, and this little Chinese lantern plant which was going cheap at the garden centre. Behind that, the fruit bushes which I have pruned quite drastically.</div>
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Here is where my beans were. I decided the easiest thing to do was just to spread them out over their patch, to help smother all the weeds over the winter. I have left the dwarf beans in, as ground cover, for the same reason.</div>
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We are still eating tomatoes as they ripen, and I had to bring in all the peppers to ripen on the windowsill. They do ripen, but not without going all wrinkly at the same time. I have been charring the skins under the grill and peeling them, there won't be many going to waste. I brought the chilli plants into the conservatory where they are ripening beautifully.</div>
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Other than that we are now very much onto the winter veg... a few carrots are left, and some winter cabbages. I dug up the first couple of parsnips the other day - one huge and one quite respectable, so that is promising. Sprouts are nearly ready, as are leeks. Looking ahead to next spring and summer, there will hopefully be purple sprouting brocolli, cauliflowers and spring cabbages, and I have put in some broad beans, garlic and overwintering onions</div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-980483117533941852012-10-12T10:15:00.000-07:002012-10-12T10:15:05.558-07:00The Highs and the Lows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The small holes in these potatoes are caused by wireworm, the larvae of the click beetle apparently, and it has affected nearly all my late spuds. They are supposedly most prevalent in areas which have recently been cleared of grass, but that is not true in this case. An alternative suggestion I have read is that they are more numerous where you have had manure, and that is certainly the case, I spread out the manure I inherited over my potato patch. The only cure is to wait for the end of the 4-5 year life cycle, which is fine because it will be 4-5 years before I put potatoes there again. I have never had a problem with wireworm before, and this year I have also had slug damage on my spuds for the first time.<br />
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This is almost my entire onion crop - pitiful isn't it! I grew them from seed, which I had not done before, and probably won't do again, except as an addition to sets.<br />
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Summer got off to a very late start, and also seemed to come to a very early end, and the peppers and chillies in the greenhouse are only just beginning to ripen, the chillies in the lead as you can see.</div>
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It was touch and go whether my second crop of sweetcorn would ever ripen, but it's just about there now. I am having to eat it all up as quickly as possible, before the frosts come. It's the best crop of sweetcorn I've had for many a year, so I would have been gutted if it had all gone to waste.</div>
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One great success was beans - climbing french and runner beans, as well as broad beans. In fact they did so well that nearly all of my dwarf beans went to waste, as I didn't have time to pick them, there were so many climbing ones (which are easier to pick after all). I won't bother with dwarf ones next year.</div>
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The most disappointing failures of the year have been the celery and celeriac, which bolted before they even got off the ground. Beetroot have been disappointing too. Many carrots failed to germinate, and many that did have split, presumably due to weather conditions. They are now being attacked by slugs where their shoulders emerge above the soil.</div>
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It hasn't been a good year for squashes, although I do have a few butternuts now, I'm not sure whether they will ripen, or whether I should take them in now before the frost, which I think there may be this weekend.<br />
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Despite the wet weather, the outdoor tomatoes didn't do too badly, but I have brought the remaining ones home to ripen. There was some blight, but I was able to keep it under control until recently, and I finally pulled all the remaining plants out today. The Ferline toms are definitely quite resistant.<br />
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It has been lovely to have so much fruit - I have made lots of jam, and we are still getting plenty of autumn raspberries. It takes ages to pick them all though.<br />
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As I have mentioned already I think, I will be dedicating a bit more space to cutting flowers next year, I have really enjoyed having a few in the house and I want to experiment with different kinds. It's a nice thing to take to people when you visit I think (especially when you can tell they're getting fed up with runner beans...)<br />
I will also be cutting back on certain things (ie potatoes and beans!) and leaving a bit more space in between for harvesting. More sturdy supports for beans will also be required. And I probably won't bother with chard again, as it has just sat there, we haven't really eaten any. The leaves are all holey and ragged, they just don't look very appetising.<br />
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What will <i>you </i>be doing differently next year?Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-86630934659425205462012-09-24T10:32:00.001-07:002012-09-24T10:32:36.212-07:00Mouse Melons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These are an experiment for this year, and they have done very well. Very easy to grow and quite prolific (although obviously very small), they taste like tangy cucumbers, but with fairly thick, crunchy skins, especially when allowed to grow longer than an inch, the small ones are much more tender.</div>
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However I would be fibbing if I said that they had gone down a storm in our house. I haven't found many ways of using them, and there are still a few languishing in the fridge. I think I will do them again next year, but I will pick them all while still quite small, and pickle them.</div>
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A whole month since my last blog, and no wonder, since going back to work three weeks ago my feet have barely touched the ground. I am doing an extra 8 hours per week at work (24 in total) which means a lot less time during the week for allotmenting, especially as the days are getting so much shorter. On top of that, these last few weeks have been the busiest of the year in terms of keeping up with the harvest. We have been up to our ears in beans, courgettes, potatoes and raspberries. I made some raspberry jam yesterday, and the beans have been distributed amongst friends, family and anyone else who comes to the house. In addition we have been doing up our kitchen, which has not only taken up quite a bit of time, but meant that the kitchen was out of action at the peak of vegetable production. It's also a busy time for the allotment committee, I have been printing, stuffing in envelopes and delivering the autumn newsletter, now I need to produce 100 or so rent letters, and the AGM is coming up at the beginning of November. </div>
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It's all go. Will be back soon for an end of season review.</div>
Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-60453188926878020522012-08-24T14:56:00.001-07:002012-08-24T14:56:31.508-07:00Today's Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spent about 3 hours picking all this today, and then spent the rest of the day in the kitchen, washing, peeling, chopping, sorting, blanching, freezing, and making chutney. Growing your own can be very time-consuming. The beans, purple climbing french beans, flat-podded climbing french beans, runner beans and dwarf french beans, are at peak production at the moment, and I can't keep pace with them. We are going away this weekend to my sister-in-law, so will take some with me, then our kitchen will be out of action next week while we do some work on it, so I won't have an opportunity to cook or even to blanch and freeze any beans, so the neighbours will have to have the rest.<br />
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With all the extra growing space I have this year I have inevitably overdone it with certain veg, namely potatoes and beans. It's quite fortunate that I lost a number of courgette plants in the cold weather, otherwise I would be over-run with those too. I have decided that next year I will probably reduce the amount I plant, and just spread it out more. I have found it quite difficult moving about between things this year, I have packed it all in a bit too closely!<br />
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Weirdly, the blight which was threatening to take hold a couple of weeks ago seems not to have spread, indeed it even seems to be 'cured'. I cut off all the potato foliage, except for one row, which still looks the same as it did two weeks ago. Only one tomato was affected, and no more since then, and there has definitely been no more spread. All the remaining fruit looks fine, the foliage also looked fine, although I have now cut most of it off to encourage the fruit to ripen.<br />
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The first sowing of sweetcorn has a couple of cobs on each plant, but I am still waiting for them to ripen. The second sowing looks really healthy, and hopefully the warm weather will continue long enough for it to reach maturity. The flowers are already emerging at the top.<br />
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The autumn raspberries are starting to get going, but the summer ones haven't done much at all, I think I will have to replace them this winter.<br />
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-54819143356431869652012-07-26T07:59:00.000-07:002012-07-26T07:59:10.605-07:00Bee Bar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few pictures of the flowers in my bee border - a narrow strip at the top end of the plot. It is in full flower at the moment and looking lovely. All the flowers are doing really well this year, and this has inspired me to devote a special patch next year specially for cutting flowers. Something to cheer me up if we get another year like this one, late July and still not much ready for harvest. Normally things are in full flow by now, so far this year all we have really had is broad beans, salad and potatoes ...<br />
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.. which brings me on to some really bad news: potato blight. I have never had it before, only tomato blight. Sadly the outdoor tomatoes are starting to show signs as well now, and they were doing so well, just starting to ripen, some of them. I have cut down most of the potato foliage and shoved it into bags, leaving some of the main crops which are not too badly affected yet. I am giving them a few more days to grow while the weather is good, but will have to cut them down before it starts to rain again. They have all had a dousing with anti-fungal treatment as well.<br />
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I have had a lot of blackcurrants and gooseberries though, and made plenty of jam. Yesterday I dug up my elephant garlic, just two bulbs to see if we liked it. Just as well I didn't plant more. It didn't agree with us and caused a very uncomfortable night! I have heard this said of artichokes, but nobody warned me about elephant garlic!<br />
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I have been getting up at the crack of dawn every day this week, to go down and make the most of the cool early mornings. While I wouldn't dream of complaining about this beautiful weather, it's really a bit too hot for working in after mid-morning.<br />
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Things are really starting to put on some growth finally, now we have a bit of warmth. Courgettes are really getting going, and beans are starting to flower. I know it's not going to last, but I am making the most of it while it does.Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-71700160522878246832012-07-19T09:38:00.000-07:002012-07-19T09:38:22.941-07:00A Glimmer of Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At last there is some hope on the horizon for our crops this summer, as reports are coming in that the Jet Stream is finally on the move northwards, which means that the weather will become more 'typical' for the time of year. Nobody has actually started talking about heatwaves yet though, so I suspect what they really mean is just 'a bit less crap' than we've had for the last couple of months. I'll settle for that, it'll be a definite improvement anyway.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPW7KnJSJMiCdgus77UwpwoZB7Q1um85XUEyoqKFkFlc-0lE7ucweMmT7L4ENFP_Lhx1rCN3ftLYwQVnUotveYQskOfpYFR6Jy0IYaHol12VChGSGw6neWT7IKlHJaZAQuhIrZlg-xJs/s1600/DSC_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPW7KnJSJMiCdgus77UwpwoZB7Q1um85XUEyoqKFkFlc-0lE7ucweMmT7L4ENFP_Lhx1rCN3ftLYwQVnUotveYQskOfpYFR6Jy0IYaHol12VChGSGw6neWT7IKlHJaZAQuhIrZlg-xJs/s320/DSC_0647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are the first of my tomatoes to start ripening, Sungold, typically reliable and early to ripen. We have had a cucumber already, with plenty more to come, and the plants are so much healthier than last year, when they were covered in mildew all summer long.</div>
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I have been picking broad beans galore, enough for some excess to freeze. I must remember to pay closer attention to spacing next year, I can hardly get in between my rows, and sturdier supports will be required too.</div>
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I have lost a couple of courgette and squash plants, to stem rot, and the red onions aren't doing too well, but most other crops are starting to perform well, including outdoor tomatoes, which I have mulched with chopped up comfrey. I picked vast quantities of blackcurrants the other day, enough to make about 9 jars of jam, and there are quite a lot more to come. Raspberries are starting to come as well, but the quality is not great and the birds seem to be eating most of them.</div>
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One area I am really pleased with is my bee border, which is now in full flower. I keep forgetting to take my camera with me, but I will definitely be showing that off in a future post.</div>
<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-1005954192958685892012-06-29T03:43:00.000-07:002012-06-29T03:43:05.284-07:00Snake in the Grass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnqMeiry4TIHerwVc8HDT9q67W1MK1uSXuv-VojAKQXqG4dbp16YvFDhmeZ3Q8SSsrXgq_QL8KB5w3WljFQ17ASWxrVllJUN1GbxEkeIWtvGh-gqvO0MXQQPa4G9cgeIfNzngeQCX1CA/s1600/snake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnqMeiry4TIHerwVc8HDT9q67W1MK1uSXuv-VojAKQXqG4dbp16YvFDhmeZ3Q8SSsrXgq_QL8KB5w3WljFQ17ASWxrVllJUN1GbxEkeIWtvGh-gqvO0MXQQPa4G9cgeIfNzngeQCX1CA/s400/snake+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Or rather, snake in the netting. This grass snake had got itself tangled up and I had to cut it free while the plot holder, Brian, held it still. We weren't sure whether it was a grass snake or an adder until I got home and googled it, so it was a bit scary. Fortunately I quite like snakes, if it had been a spider I would have run a mile.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY77sgr7Mqg2xaa3cpSQxsqVMM656rcHsuh0Z5V43qFfOeCRqqJIQJi9zZXHScKSchEAz9rHttMaDuxEe99WWFfVNARM8pu2IXcaaAI9OZkmbuLrZ_M_KpTj-ataTx4fJUJcbWfqUYjRQ/s1600/snake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY77sgr7Mqg2xaa3cpSQxsqVMM656rcHsuh0Z5V43qFfOeCRqqJIQJi9zZXHScKSchEAz9rHttMaDuxEe99WWFfVNARM8pu2IXcaaAI9OZkmbuLrZ_M_KpTj-ataTx4fJUJcbWfqUYjRQ/s400/snake+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyway, no harm done to the snake and it was set free at the top of the plot, by the hedge. Good luck to it, netting can be lethal to wildlife, from now on I'm going to make sure all mine is stowed away in my tool box or bin when not in use.<br />
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8057600343722361253.post-42929836623895671512012-06-23T02:25:00.000-07:002012-06-23T02:25:04.739-07:00Another Try<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got my first allotment in 2007, the first year of the lousy summers we've had ever since. I think it's fair to say this summer is the lousiest of them all - so far. In 2007 it was wet, but still relatively warm. It was similar up until last year when it was cold but dry, this year it's cold, it's wet AND it's windy. Just about everything on the allotment is struggling, particularly the tender veg, tomatoes, sweetcorn and squashes. I planted out 14 sweetcorn plants at the beginning of June, two of them have keeled over and died. I have a space in front of the squashes, so I have sown another batch of sweetcorn, which should be ready for planting out at the end of June. I am holding on to the optimistic hope that we will have a warm and dry late summer and autumn. To the same end, I have sown some more Autumn Crown squashes, the ones I planted in early June look so sickly I doubt if they will make it through.<br />
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I have lost a few plants, I suspect due to red ants tunneling around the roots, I unearthed colony after colony of red ants as I was digging the plot over earlier this year. Recently I have resorted to dusting them with ant powder whenever I dig up a nest. Also I think my soil needs beefing up a bit, things just don't look as healthy as they ought to, though that could be down to the weather. My garlic was looking really good, but is now covered in rust. I can't tell when the leaves are starting to go yellow, they are so yellow already. In theory, now that the days are getting shorter (what a depressing thought, when summer hasn't even arrived yet) the onions should start to bulk up. Other people's set-grown onions look nearly ready to lift.<br />
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I'm going up later to sow some more carrots, some more pre-chitted parsnips (I know it's a bit late but it's worth a try, and I need to replace all that celery and celeriac that I had to pull out :( ) and some more french beans.<br />
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Gardeners' Refrain: THERE'S ALWAYS <b>NEXT </b>YEAR!Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04733156922485238207noreply@blogger.com0