tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55672233181088656632024-02-08T03:41:56.165+00:00Vegetable KingdomI've always tried to grow veggies ever since I had access to a garden. This blog is about my current garden which started out as flower beds but I decided that if I was going to weed then I may as well get something back.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-39483026169309315192015-11-29T15:09:00.000+00:002015-11-29T15:10:25.360+00:00Greenhouse assemblyIt took me some time to put the greenhouse up. I had to re-lay the slabs as they were not at all level and then I laid a good hardcore base underneath. Hard work, but I wanted to do it properly.<br />
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Underneath the existing slabs I found some foundations.<br />
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<img class="SzDcob" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/THFa09_cKs_gYqtYdB25WS0oN-mV-9imvny1JTQ6FCWvxnVP59tdk_YtS_yUtmfQz4H8unWt5miVFE95fu9TFtcYBR74Rr8a3xI9E4BucqXlPNI-NUdFSq3Ctjl8U6CsF8m6lG_w4f11rgUjHn5Y5fx28rhEHo_hUovTSvoxi8_G1RhIs8OzFPJMYn0dnUfBtGeOXyVw3jF0cfVKVwO1dC5SxQRqZfJMa7AQiWQHnafDPKXlGRK4ejYR9aZ2dmmMYWSQ1l4BlkiEABmc2mmJw32YSpfA6UvPP4lThqTg0Mlk5XAgarRhjEuUPMzsUuyt4URJNUYSkug7QusDCzxdFw6cvGiAhMfqTI7gQby7zICBvTwC_fAzQrrNicRMTpoU5Rg65b_PZ_7Gww8zchY05IANXX6TUU03o1wwCjNbesJm8xOPO1Ey31NCj2or51rPHJz-avlai9_SJZacCFpByLv6SVb-ZagsNihI7mrlMJnYW-qymtktRu746QPolmMUlDo-GVbO-6FVjWw3Z_ZbpBq39cDVc6E-3UqJxmyDc4I=w667-h889-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="300" /><br />
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Then I filled the hole in with some hard core rubble that I made by smashing up old slabs and bricks from around the garden. <br />
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<img class="SzDcob" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5iOmuBPG0p25QSYSKtZ5-b35tdTQCgO6vULI1c9AK1gwNbh5ftlacj9ZlKUI2xGcn9M_BET_28bX704hlpne10Ns14NYcVx0BO1P8n7WKuweXa2SY7MDBzO1AGj0Rlqq0JlfiGxLLQ4/w920-h690-no/" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="400" /><br />
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Slabs going back, nice and level.<br />
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<img class="SzDcob" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oK6IXlIONcud5ZWonzJscSlZqjBLuX-nGs0CFB3_FjBp_wA3eai5nvNiZ82yYhFRExgPyTsaipEj0hLCTfcqKAt954T2_uKA9sWf1RJxJAXsOzNCHW8xxpsm2I8hM5AkLoLbv-Jb4MxCEZO-vMS3fhAzkbsTqH6h-h2ojstydCr1E8fTtscfAySyaF-1RWxqnpKIOddrn_zYWZ_JX7VePV52APZ69pGAY3JXkaxSS0L0ULz7lvMVOylHaC2ZCiNGWYQEGu7a8iNKSGoo8UOwCpRecki150DLvhe4FghrsiQw6iTYCDYiqpFM7X_e2KBT5QlCaw8j_rXw6mFT2ws4y2cVza9Ed5aNqf3smhyeZ2JDfdJKiu09FVFQV-u23xWtZWHQoOLz85liZ-JiS52zHlEnDWVTAlmFgKrH5znpFcKwtGo_yKJWInMdfNxdjSBrkUN8UrgbyJ-qGXEqUscC-HYGSt30BEYOBAnxqmGP_3R7JsKhmdNeNOkzKHteMqtU70HY6UBXlB5wmkw-exOf5pgqc6NN-Mvy1xlVRvLy_9Sh=w920-h690-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="400" /> <br />
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Finally all laid.<br />
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<img class="SzDcob" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vbaXic3NqHrNfD4Sgv13isueEOHAJjYZ8Xfl9tqTewzfDx72Dto6miojQvrrkfKy1aSXw9843U9G0yd8T4IgjfY6K0lGaoBJIxRJXMyATaVsVHdgZybN2nEWVu-2mbPM7FFvIkvCYH45p6ZwnAxIgihIcg_6b1wXj57f_tM-2Zmymld_x48r1nfe4v7qhH3DxX54LyNSZF29mRllUPtCuKiBgB16oTnL_k21TYquAeCbayc3qG1AiRXFvxNHuO09PZFMGv_kAbJZLe20HPapXL0vYNDXgxQeTF9N3S1I_3d_dUl2rK44BzAl45SqBooydvZhKpuAw6GbfnJxpnNNDsWE3T_zE2lkcVAyNdHU9RpIeLtwCVz_AgjatAG05b2grAcIf_Je4sq6vJ-SYm1wdbRHKUoJ_ddGFbFrsHJc-kq5BVxW7Wzl6M69AteR1rVRWcCW4SnMfWMgXqzVgE949tJIV6tCohCMUsHKxShg7iHjjcc31wy3tnJrRI_U3PMXZz2VKoU1QXqvMoYR1dFzHmP4ncvrhYjjDH8kv3ItwRse=w920-h690-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="400" /><br />
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Working out how the greenhouse went back together would have been impossible without the instruction manual. Even at this early stage I had assembled and dismantled it three times. I just couldn't work out where the bracing struts went.<br />
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<img class="SzDcob" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/otXRay_8aUMC-s0vqmczY0-Nc6Ajd4YQj8jMTaWVM6l-gOnEXt_J_-nzE5uE_DxPHMkTjb6fOcYvhG-7kGZyeYFAT7_rjq9mzKpiTK30kOdonHuBFb-V8AT9GcmRK7xGYizSAb-zpHxIim8ugtH1YnYLx0ao04KzcYD-HAJHs6G0ht8mCXaUfESlgBXlz9L5RXGLH4SS_5qNOiAo-nuPktJBh19aFD8VNbwmJjcbmgR3AE8I_CQz8BN8_kQXEDqAgHLcgywVNFlvp5A7uDbNdTIyI6g5_Kx8LJNYgvEsg-HV7uCbCYc8IB4TRpcbCOHsqfgl2KVeSzg9WBS7cK85dStkQG6o35P7dUshXLhRTtuH3XvbUNReuIL-Aaf_SDz1V0_9FNZf0b_h4KYt_0H3-2DJWgzUvsNR0lLrI82Osqi2Me2gDeaU4G-CXUYvgDH7Fo0nbP6_FX6GdKjnQzYSax-qidgTOIN2_7LilRFc3pDju3jPOHwWjcDDBmDLmPgu_s9RkJWB9-U0YD8P5sRw6rSLCwISrX4ij7XmUJMaDmo0=w920-h690-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="400" /><br />
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Got the roof on. Needed help from sons here.<br />
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<img class="SzDcob" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m2rvMj_5wxtuljHrnmRDy4KWaX0suTl9b1qvaRyLrenTVlAKM9wiKLib7PF0iuxDP7XR4NW6o95s7OUFPndnwza7j_n-_ojmbQMLa4-wKqr5Lmtv7m6y3xJ6-qk_WscF_wDPk7hx-c1SLFwndy0kO8RlQvvNlBfWsiI2k1QRdPrQsFRNwOm0V9S-w5nmENuXdNXYd7xdlZ1FvYiissMwGwTn0XDdNvEe2zbWd3mRJv-VedRABAXIzHsZZ38SzAT5ceh6uXFv4Y_l4a2amVB99DGhlQ5Y-2nHidQjUcuEe82B_vHrVgWp1ZTdTcgr1kVo-jKZABcl8t5kN9UUxWYGEtPIOJ_OUcz5lzIduRJ7mAnvHKTP6Q_AoH-QewVHLRKxaRYiHl7x993dYkti2sZ2Llhqpi6XhXr8PE8Jf_hTwo2Ost5mpibWhDs2y2Oru893EsWVCUyU67haKdAA2ALiKrGGNvxnGlYBHkTXM9ECY4gN7XtJdQ0RkLYCeD-wCIYQgRjfMU2J2xhzzbaB__BByOp3LAckOhEaWBJcQU5AaiWJ=w920-h690-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="400" /><br />
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Doors fitted and working smoothly to indicate everything is level.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxYh4TeQou4EaC-5L6cCLIa2BXafeyL5SL0DcVL4cUPcNepu_Meghl_9JvJbyhzm-Q24ezzCWgL-z6K27o4ow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I broke a few panes fitting the glass back. All sorted now and ready for the summer, where my cacti will mostly live. The main advantage is that it frees up space in the top greenhouse where I will have more space fro growing tomatoes, cucumbers and chillies.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-50911109016446855092015-06-24T22:20:00.001+01:002015-06-24T22:21:14.996+01:00New greenhouseI managed to bag a free greenhouse! I always had plans to be able to use the patio area half way down the garden more fruitfully which gets a lot of sun. What with the increasing number of cacti I'm collecting I knew I needed more space. So I casually asked on the local street life forum and got an answer the same day. Next day I went round and dismantled it and now it's ready for reassembly on my patio. The very nice couple who offered it, helped with the disassembly and even had the assembly instructions which will help a lot! I only broke two panes too.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G5GjA-egJSo/VXSVvZRkrJI/AAAAAAAAPd4/0rRyGzbosK0/s640/blogger-image--1483890393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G5GjA-egJSo/VXSVvZRkrJI/AAAAAAAAPd4/0rRyGzbosK0/s640/blogger-image--1483890393.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>What I need to do now is prepare the area its sitting on which means lifting and re-levelling the paving slabs.</div><div><br></div><div>I've set the tomatoes up in the existing greenhouse.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-47sdsRLuiPc/VXSVxP9vGoI/AAAAAAAAPeA/l2bfKSNF2EI/s640/blogger-image-1449382863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-47sdsRLuiPc/VXSVxP9vGoI/AAAAAAAAPeA/l2bfKSNF2EI/s640/blogger-image-1449382863.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div>The chillies have been potted up into their final pots.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K4mn5CNza7c/VYsfFl1BLzI/AAAAAAAATGg/jULSoWhSjb0/s640/blogger-image--111064744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K4mn5CNza7c/VYsfFl1BLzI/AAAAAAAATGg/jULSoWhSjb0/s640/blogger-image--111064744.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Maybe I have too many? Although I won't be so concerned when I have the new greenhouse and more room.</div><div><br></div><div>But what's wrong with my garlic? It's split into thin leaves, maybe it's the allium miner?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nm9v5EguYoc/VYsfBlC2eUI/AAAAAAAATGY/PQBeZsxmAgE/s640/blogger-image-933592790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nm9v5EguYoc/VYsfBlC2eUI/AAAAAAAATGY/PQBeZsxmAgE/s640/blogger-image-933592790.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The peas have started flowering.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xV8ZNomDMVY/VXSVzs3JBWI/AAAAAAAAPeI/6ffWmQz87XY/s640/blogger-image--851031912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xV8ZNomDMVY/VXSVzs3JBWI/AAAAAAAAPeI/6ffWmQz87XY/s640/blogger-image--851031912.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>As well as the garlic, I'm also concerned about the dwarf beans which have not taken well to being planted out. They haven't put on new leaf and have gone a bit pale. Hopefully they are just struggling to get their roots down.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-84921145638526000452015-05-27T16:01:00.001+01:002015-05-27T17:06:25.872+01:00Grow, grow, growLots happening now. The broad beans are flying.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4mh-_s2HnT0DaUE2n0GtPKtZNo-W0RUyYWaAxJIL4Ynvdny90l-UTEgomqbFu2k_1z6a3QKhEH2JlpLeJdwOVzNztNOAN3sAehezM2nHWJWxFyGFZnPz9CuKNTRvhTCtDPUxhykaX9g/s640/blogger-image-747685575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4mh-_s2HnT0DaUE2n0GtPKtZNo-W0RUyYWaAxJIL4Ynvdny90l-UTEgomqbFu2k_1z6a3QKhEH2JlpLeJdwOVzNztNOAN3sAehezM2nHWJWxFyGFZnPz9CuKNTRvhTCtDPUxhykaX9g/s640/blogger-image-747685575.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There's plenty of leaf and flowers on them and they are about 1 metre tall.</div><div><br></div><div>The kohlrabi looks pristine under the protective netting and the peas from Sarah Raven (alderman) are huge compared to the meteor variety, they may outgrow the supports.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WiIAclRWowg/VWXcM5j0QQI/AAAAAAAAPLA/ZYmfJ6h2nC0/s640/blogger-image-1044288724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WiIAclRWowg/VWXcM5j0QQI/AAAAAAAAPLA/ZYmfJ6h2nC0/s640/blogger-image-1044288724.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvHn_Ge11zI/VWXQRhd-fjI/AAAAAAAAPKg/opYRUGAOjlU/s640/blogger-image-34887988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvHn_Ge11zI/VWXQRhd-fjI/AAAAAAAAPKg/opYRUGAOjlU/s640/blogger-image-34887988.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The spuds in the bottom bed are all showing and I've earthed them up with a combination of soil and garden compost. The middle bed is planted up with climbing beans, borlotti beans, munchkin pumpkins, dwarf beans and some Tigerella tomatoes. All had a liberal sprinkling of blood, fish and bone.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sn1zjPYbXSE/VWXcPdvhctI/AAAAAAAAPLI/iLql56f-TnU/s640/blogger-image-417827787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sn1zjPYbXSE/VWXcPdvhctI/AAAAAAAAPLI/iLql56f-TnU/s640/blogger-image-417827787.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xH1KuvAArcg/VWXcCZ4no4I/AAAAAAAAPK4/66NbMFG_j0o/s640/blogger-image--1067296779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xH1KuvAArcg/VWXcCZ4no4I/AAAAAAAAPK4/66NbMFG_j0o/s640/blogger-image--1067296779.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The strawberries are also netted (partially) I need to get some more netting cages which fit the bed width perfectly. They look so much better than the home made blue water pipes and scaffolde'rs netting.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I showed some radish in the same row as the parsnips so as to mark the row's position. This has worked well. I've been pulling lots of radish and the parsnips have appeared in their place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bnllFbWswGs/VWXb0p9_0VI/AAAAAAAAPKw/3BiYSg8aToM/s640/blogger-image--2098179798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bnllFbWswGs/VWXb0p9_0VI/AAAAAAAAPKw/3BiYSg8aToM/s640/blogger-image--2098179798.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They have been some of the best tasting and consistent radish too. I've sown another row.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-65964971926489289692015-04-30T22:59:00.001+01:002015-04-30T22:59:45.386+01:00Sowing bonanzaI've been busy since the last blog. Lots of sowing, but I learned a valuable lesson. Always label! <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Does anyone know what this is?</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P4rsKUHIi6s/VUKlv8__nPI/AAAAAAAAO0o/cLSlwVXUKXY/s640/blogger-image-125692542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P4rsKUHIi6s/VUKlv8__nPI/AAAAAAAAO0o/cLSlwVXUKXY/s640/blogger-image-125692542.jpg"></font></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think it's rocket.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Or at least write with an indelible pen. You think you'll remember but you don't. So, I've bought 100 large labels and write with a pencil. </span></div><div><div><br></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rloV5rQi5CM/VUAGkrWTogI/AAAAAAAAO0M/o9RgZwFYLzI/s640/blogger-image--628668750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rloV5rQi5CM/VUAGkrWTogI/AAAAAAAAO0M/o9RgZwFYLzI/s640/blogger-image--628668750.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I also bought a nice potting tray to do all of the sowing and potting up in. Very tidy.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aR1_sdtvJ3I/VUAGfA8adcI/AAAAAAAAOz0/R786dAc-QiI/s640/blogger-image-2067237730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aR1_sdtvJ3I/VUAGfA8adcI/AAAAAAAAOz0/R786dAc-QiI/s640/blogger-image-2067237730.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The greenhouse is filling up.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z38ue-xA5SM/VUAGi2NIOvI/AAAAAAAAO0E/GoiVhkt9wRA/s640/blogger-image--1668263644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z38ue-xA5SM/VUAGi2NIOvI/AAAAAAAAO0E/GoiVhkt9wRA/s640/blogger-image--1668263644.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The usual suspects are there. Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, courgettes, chillies, kohlrabi, peas, beetroot . I'm also trying climbing pumpkins and borlotti beans.</div><div><br></div><div>The spuds were planted on Good Friday, no sign yet.</div><div><br></div><div>Planting the onions in modules has been successful, they are growing well in the beds now.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-txej8PzlGfk/VUAGhCFe0hI/AAAAAAAAOz8/xUTo-Cokdb4/s640/blogger-image--511108162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-txej8PzlGfk/VUAGhCFe0hI/AAAAAAAAOz8/xUTo-Cokdb4/s640/blogger-image--511108162.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I've planted over 50 in total of red and white variety. </div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>The pear blossom has been the first to show and there's a good amount this year.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yr-Ip2059dY/VUKltldr_qI/AAAAAAAAO0g/YJB-6JAunlA/s640/blogger-image--359444277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yr-Ip2059dY/VUKltldr_qI/AAAAAAAAO0g/YJB-6JAunlA/s640/blogger-image--359444277.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>But the apple blossom is equally pleasing to see.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-37fhWs7qOgo/VUKlz9IGuVI/AAAAAAAAO04/QzJWgnasAQQ/s640/blogger-image--950782356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-37fhWs7qOgo/VUKlz9IGuVI/AAAAAAAAO04/QzJWgnasAQQ/s640/blogger-image--950782356.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There might even be some figs this year. There was an infestation of weevils in all the plants in containers so I had to treat them, seems to have worked.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1NSjWUCU5TQ/VUKlx3osCxI/AAAAAAAAO0w/Jwib5iR9fYE/s640/blogger-image-877198106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1NSjWUCU5TQ/VUKlx3osCxI/AAAAAAAAO0w/Jwib5iR9fYE/s640/blogger-image-877198106.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The peas have been transplanted and look very strong.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HaC1LaxVSWA/VUAGdKX-vKI/AAAAAAAAOzs/RGzMaFawscM/s640/blogger-image-1944152963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HaC1LaxVSWA/VUAGdKX-vKI/AAAAAAAAOzs/RGzMaFawscM/s640/blogger-image-1944152963.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Finally, I've been enjoying the YouTube videos of Dan who can grow some great veg. See http://www.allotment-diary.co.uk</div><div><br></div><div>I'm trying his approach and have treated the beds with rock dust and fertilised them with blood, fish and bone. He also grows banana shallots which look great, so I'm giving them a go too.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-51319363475502720852015-03-23T21:46:00.001+00:002015-03-23T21:46:41.187+00:00Onion sets and last of parsnips<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> dug up the parsnips, blanched them and put them in the freezer.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rtJK32xGKmM/VRCJlxpbWKI/AAAAAAAAOd4/pk6JMLRlp0U/s640/blogger-image-1100579102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rtJK32xGKmM/VRCJlxpbWKI/AAAAAAAAOd4/pk6JMLRlp0U/s640/blogger-image-1100579102.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>They have a good shape but there is some canker. It scrapes off though.</div><div><br></div><div>I've planted the onion sets, both red and white varieties. This time I'm starting them off in modules in the greenhouse.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UapKtpjJib4/VRCJtS63seI/AAAAAAAAOeA/5ibzFVc_Wf4/s640/blogger-image--779670155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UapKtpjJib4/VRCJtS63seI/AAAAAAAAOeA/5ibzFVc_Wf4/s640/blogger-image--779670155.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I've also sown the peas in modules with two pea seeds per module. These are also in the greenhouse and under a sheet of glass to keep the mice off.</div><div><br></div><div>There's a good harvest of purple sprouting broccoli and the kale is getting big enough for a meal soon.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n8MJE8xylp0/VRCJvhcw7BI/AAAAAAAAOeI/vFxIkhw-TWY/s640/blogger-image-348042185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n8MJE8xylp0/VRCJvhcw7BI/AAAAAAAAOeI/vFxIkhw-TWY/s640/blogger-image-348042185.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I checked the weather forecast and decided to delay sowing until next week, good thing I did as there was a frost this morning. I bought two 120 litre bags of compost, so I should be set for a sowing bonanza.</div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-75169988080156308492015-02-22T12:50:00.001+00:002015-02-23T17:49:49.317+00:00Sarah Raven seed orderingWelcome dear reader (there is probably only one of you) to 2015 and a brand new season which means seed ordering time. What I want to grow this year are climbing pumpkins because I like pumpkins/squash and they grow vertically rather than horizontally and therefore take up a lot less space. So the only place to buy them from appears to be Sarah Raven. So I went to the <a href="http://www.sarahraven.com/">website</a> and watched a few of the videos, as you do, and followed the recommendation of growing the cucumber and peas. The cucumbers (La Diva) are long cropping outdoor type which frees up the greenhouse for more tomatoes and chillies. Likewise the peas (Alderman) are long croppers. The next thing you know I've ordered most of this year's seeds (except for leeks and cauliflowers which Sarah doesn't sell).<br />
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Part of the reason for wanting to grow climbing pumpkins is that I saw them on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihtvXj7cUuR0wb7tAZzZlg">vlog on you tube by Katie</a>. So many thanks Katie.<br />
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But now I have the seeds it's turned really cold and I won't be doing any sowing for now at least. I'm holding off with the seed potatoes too. This year I'm trying the no chitting method and buying as late as possible. You can pick up the seed spuds really cheap at garden centres in early April as they need to sell off the stock.<br />
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There's not much happening in the garden at the moment, I've been clearing up a lot and filling the compost bins with the clippings and weeds. My strategy with composting now is to fill the daleks first, then transfer to the larger square bins when it's partially composted and then transfer that to the final bin and use that for mulching in autumn with no digging. I'm composting as much as possible, even small branches are getting shredded and chopped.<br />
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What is in the veg beds at the moment then?<br />
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Garlic, note the frost and the mulch which was added last autumn.<br />
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Kale, note the frost. Still rather small.<br />
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Broad beans<br />
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Rhubarb, transplanted into the sunny asparagus bed.<br />
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I also have some parsnips still to dig up and purple sprouting broccoli which I'm eating already but there will be lots more to come.<br />
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I have been removing the Leylandii hedge as it is dying and unsightly but also because it sucks all the moisture out of the soil. In its place I'm planting a Kerria hedge which I have propagated myself.<br />
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I've had to cut the pampass grass plant back quite a bit to provide more light to the young plants.<br />
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I hope to be able to remove the fence panel in a few years once the hedge has grown; fortunately Kerria is quite a fast grower.<br />
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Finally, I'm trying out the CD bird scarers trick to keep the wood pigeons off of the plum and greengage trees. They stripped the accessible branches of all the fresh new buds last year. So far I haven't seen a bird on the tree but then the buds haven't burst yet.<br />
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The picture gives quite a good view of the bottom bed and compost bins at the very bottom of the garden.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-22558349579362341602014-10-28T18:26:00.001+00:002015-02-23T17:50:21.478+00:00Leek, apple and autumn harvestsThe first leek harvest. Nice.<br />
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No evidence of the leaf miner this year. I made a lovely vegetable casserole with it and the turnips.</div>
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Not a lot of apples this year. I think a lot fell off. But I can't eat them all anyway. Plus, I still have stewed apples from last year.</div>
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I'm still harvesting beetroot and turnips with plenty of leeks, parsnips and kale to look forward to.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-33491600600409118102014-10-07T21:53:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:50:43.660+00:00Turnip harvestI didn't make a note of when I sowed the turnips but it doesn't seem that long ago. Anyway, I picked some this weekend and very nice they are too.<br />
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As with the turnips, I can't recall when I planted kale but they are growing strongly despite me picking off caterpillars regularly.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I planted some more garlic as I think what I had planted may have been dug up.</span></div>
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That's about it. I'm mainly tidying the beds and mulching with the spent compost from the tomato buckets.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-75881850043676402422014-09-28T10:44:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:51:41.249+00:00Netting brassicas against wood pigeon attackStarting with the weather, as I seem to do most of the time in these blogs, it's been very dry and sunny. The turnips are growing well as a result, even though I sowed them late. The pak choi would be alright but something has eaten them.<br />
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I lapsed in using the netting and the pigeons have had them I think or maybe it's slugs.</div>
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The purple sprouting broccoli has grown large; should be a good crop.</div>
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The strawberries are looking great and are even flowering.</div>
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Garden work now is tidying up and managing the compost bins. I'm moving the contents regularly to end up with some material that I can use as a mulch over winter. So far it's working.</div>
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Other chores are picking the apples, blackberries, beetroot and courgettes. Then I want to prepare an area near the fence to plant a Kerria hedge. Busy busy.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-75802773739696415802014-08-13T21:00:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:52:00.557+00:00Potato harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm not that impressed with my efforts this year. I got poor yields of the onions, outdoor tomatoes and dwarf beans. It maybe due to me trying the no dig method and this combined with the dry weather didn't allow for good root growth and therefore poor plant growth. The soil dried out and cracked open, I'm not surprised that the roots can't penetrate the baked hard clay. So it comes down to me moaning about my soil again. I will add the compost as a mulch this autumn as where I have done this, there has been less drying out of the soil.</span></div>
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On a positive note, I dug up the spuds and the yield is ok given I didn't dig trenches. So I'll do the same next year.</div>
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That's not all of them either.</div>
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The sweetcorn should be ok too.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-15708846115514398042014-07-29T20:14:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:52:31.698+00:00Summer heat and greenhouse tomatoesThe garden is much in need of rain. My son is gainfully employed in watering the garden whilst on his school holidays and waiting for his GCSE results. Even then, there are large cracks showing as the heavy clay bakes into something resembling concrete. However, where I have mulched, then the soil has not dried out so much. So I need to keep applying the compost. It's a familiar story that I've told before.<br />
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In the greenhouse the plants are suffering too. Even with their feet in water the tomatoes have pale leaves and slow growth. It may be because I haven't fed them so much. I'll get some fruit though and have picked a nice cucumber.</div>
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I've also picked some nice lettuce.</div>
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And some climbing beans.</div>
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And tomatoes which were good with the lettuce and cucumber In a salad.</div>
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The outdoor tomatoes are rather pathetic truth be told, so it's good to get anything.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-10000220767516665642014-07-04T14:48:00.002+01:002015-02-23T17:52:55.949+00:00Gooseberry glut<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have a glut of gooseberries, but what to do with them? There's only so much crumble you can eat right? Why not try ice cream then? So I did and wow what a deliciously refreshing dessert it makes. I recommend it dear reader. You are reading this aren't you, I wonder sometimes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The harvest continues with the strawberries, red currants and blackcurrants with which I made a very nice cordial using the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/curranty_cordial_71718">big allotment challenge recipe.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The strawberries are not so good this year, I'm going to dig them up and buy new plants but good enough for flavouuring ice cream and cordials. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomatoes are on the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the peas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the broad beans are probably ready.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kohlrabi are fattening up. Such a lovely colour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, I dug up some spuds (kestrel). Yes, there's a good yield and tasty with salads. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The garlic has been dug up, it's variable with good sized bulbs but also very small ones too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've planted some purple sprouting broccoli in the gap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have next week off so I'll be harvesting and cooking ... a lot.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-82399420025081533822014-06-16T20:45:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:54:32.606+00:00A new hoeI got a nice shiny toy for Father's Day.<br />
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I had my eye on this combined hoe and harrow tool for some time knowing that it could deal with my clay soil. Moreover, it's a Wolf tool which is expensive but built to last. Trying it out this weekend was a joy; it ripped through the weeds and I weeded the beds and the front garden in no time.</div>
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The tomatoes in the greenhouse are benefitting from the watering system and look healthy and strong.</div>
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I dug up one of the garlic plants to check that there is a good bulb, which there is.</div>
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I've read on the gardening forums that the garlic isn't so good this year and certainly mine have grown strangely with split stems.</div>
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Also, the onions have collapsed stems.</div>
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I'll have to wait and see but the garlic is OK. I'll be digging it up soon to make room for the purple sprouting broccoli.</div>
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At least the courgettes seem quite normal.</div>
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But the tomatoes I planted outside are struggling and have hardly grown but there are flowers at least. Perhaps it's a consequence of the no dig method and the roots are struggling to establish.</div>
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The plums are plentiful and I must check how to thin them which I need to do otherwise I'll end up with broken branches and mouldy fruit again.</div>
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I'm contemplating digging up my asparagus bed as it isn't giving good yields and is growing poorly. I am considering planting rhubarb there as my plants produce nothing much under the trees.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-59158360071527660942014-05-26T16:24:00.004+01:002015-02-23T17:55:10.845+00:00No dig method<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There's been plenty of rain of late which is a good thing for me. It has softened the soil up so that I can plant the veg out. This year I'm trying to save backache and just planting holes with the trusty dibber. The soil is too heavy to dig over each year, well at least for me who now seems to find gardening quite hard on the muscles. So I just stick in the dibber remove the soil and pop in the plants. Then, if I have some spare compost I will mulch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The dibber!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've planted the tomatoes into their containers for the greenhouse and they are sitting in the trays with the automatic watering system set up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've planted out a lot, most have been hardened off in the new cold frame for a few days. I'm never organised enough to leave them longer and anyway the soft soil dictated when was the time for planting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Leeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Beetroot and kohlrabi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Climbing beans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Peas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've planted the peas where the carrots were sown which didn't germinate. I still struggle to be successful at carrot sowing, I think I sow when the ground is too dry and cold. Perhaps I need to wait until mid to late May. Or just not bother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The wet weather has brought on the potatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and the broad beans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The fruit is coming along nicely except for the greengages. The pigeons have had them (again). Any ideas how to keep them off? But there are a good number of pears which is an improvement on last year when they all got blown off.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-31067356222359959142014-05-09T13:24:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:55:25.844+00:00A new coldframeA shiny new cold frame arrived. It didn't take too long to assemble. It is kinda urgently needed for the cactus to live in through the summer whilst the greenhouse is occupied with tomatoes and cucumbers.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-75826801082783331822014-05-05T10:33:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:55:53.646+00:00Mouse attack and seedlings emergeMay already! I've got a mouse in the greenhouse. I've sown peas twice now and each time there are little holes in the pots the next day. I naively thought the sweetcorn would be immune but I was wrong. Here are the tell tale signs.<br />
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But the watering system is working well and the tomatoes look fine.</div>
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I've also sown radish</div>
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and cucumber and courgettes.</div>
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I've spread compost between the veg in an effort to improve the soil and keep it moist.</div>
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The blossom is lovely at the moment. The apple has a lovely red hue.</div>
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And there's plenty of cherry blossom.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-25945391872832420792014-04-21T13:42:00.001+01:002015-02-23T17:56:23.566+00:00Potatoes planted The spuds are in. I've given them plenty of space this time and I've not dug trenches, just popped them in a hole and earthed them up a bit. I'm growing the reliable Kestrel and new for me, Romano which are red skinned and waxy for salads.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-9441132513765564162014-04-17T17:28:00.000+01:002014-04-17T17:28:16.746+01:0017th April, 2014I spotted a special offer on the easy2Go watering kit from <a href="http://www.twowests.co.uk/product/easy2go-holiday-watering-kit?_ccCt=z6Z7ffgFqGbSt73f6a9KoYbVCH8wJYNjLx8bWks2~8CfMTJOdse72_CZNbXJcUOb">Two Wests & Elliot</a> and immediately ordered two. I've seen them before as a kit that included two planting pots which I fancied using to grow tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse but thought they were too expensive. What I really wanted was just the siphon device that I could place in some trays and stand several pots in. So this is what is on offer now, just the siphon units with tubing and adapters to connect them to a water butt. Great!<br />
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No more worries about the temperamental drip feed system that was very inconsistent in the amount of water it delivered to each pot and took me a long time to get balanced. Plus this system uses water from the water butt which saves on domestic water usage. It's environmentally a better option too, so I feel good about that.<br />
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I'll see how these work out. I'll need to evaluate them to see if I can get away with just two and use larger trays or link trays with capillary matting. At the moment I only have trays large enough for one side of the greenhouse whereas I want to grow on both sides. One per tray ought to suffice.<br />
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The drip system has not been relegated to the bin, I'll dedicate it to the bonsai trees. As they were at the end of the pipe run, the amount of water reaching them was always a matter of luck. They dry out very quickly so they will hopefully benefit. And I don't want to lose them especially since they can look as good as the apple tree is now.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-85469485010818545202014-04-13T21:57:00.001+01:002014-04-13T22:01:50.189+01:0013th April, 2014<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm way behind but with Easter approaching I'll have more time to catch up and get more sowing done. I want to plant the potatoes first and foremost and get the beds weeded and ready for planting. </span></div><div><br></div><div>The Pear tree blossom is out and looking lovely.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTIU4naQWNs/U0r6Nbjz6QI/AAAAAAAAKvc/jAS1z_VZ20Y/s640/blogger-image--831999217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTIU4naQWNs/U0r6Nbjz6QI/AAAAAAAAKvc/jAS1z_VZ20Y/s640/blogger-image--831999217.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The Broad beans are in the ground and looking good.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbka8ZfwTqe4hUOwj757vb_GtJijCXaeX3-VawpwNNT20VdpUaiPVALC37iP0xzvget0IiOxJbKiNRoiM3zU4jCz2r8ESfBjpdIlTAr7jM-V75ScXFaOf3wNeN6bQzxHB9i-XKjUpIWWs/s640/blogger-image--811113859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbka8ZfwTqe4hUOwj757vb_GtJijCXaeX3-VawpwNNT20VdpUaiPVALC37iP0xzvget0IiOxJbKiNRoiM3zU4jCz2r8ESfBjpdIlTAr7jM-V75ScXFaOf3wNeN6bQzxHB9i-XKjUpIWWs/s640/blogger-image--811113859.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And I had my first asparagus today. Always a treat.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sXegLcmfuhw/U0r7O8UUBuI/AAAAAAAAKvs/XnQxUFqfqNA/s640/blogger-image--1373716830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sXegLcmfuhw/U0r7O8UUBuI/AAAAAAAAKvs/XnQxUFqfqNA/s640/blogger-image--1373716830.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Anyway I have some time off for Easter during which I hope that I can really get on top of things.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-2175970562307894082014-03-30T18:35:00.001+01:002014-03-30T18:36:33.704+01:0031st March 2014I finally got round to sowing some kohlrabi, tomatoes, beetroot,<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> chilies and flat leaf parsley. The broad beans</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> are looking very leafy and will be ready to plant out soon.</span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PUhpasqOdn8/UzhV1r0Wl-I/AAAAAAAAKjo/e7LuOX4ileo/s640/blogger-image--1211699609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PUhpasqOdn8/UzhV1r0Wl-I/AAAAAAAAKjo/e7LuOX4ileo/s640/blogger-image--1211699609.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The greenhouse is filling up with seed trays in amongst my cacti.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xfMubz5HHuA/UzhVzRVufpI/AAAAAAAAKjg/BwuKaKwf8OY/s640/blogger-image-1202093085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xfMubz5HHuA/UzhVzRVufpI/AAAAAAAAKjg/BwuKaKwf8OY/s640/blogger-image-1202093085.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The garlic has overwintered well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--HsZDZioGoI/UzhV5UBX4QI/AAAAAAAAKjw/fphVs0TmgEg/s640/blogger-image-640113454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--HsZDZioGoI/UzhV5UBX4QI/AAAAAAAAKjw/fphVs0TmgEg/s640/blogger-image-640113454.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's nearly budbreak on the fruit trees.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DllZXQuYU1M/UzhWHio7HRI/AAAAAAAAKj4/M9c7n2-ZjnU/s640/blogger-image-268898393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DllZXQuYU1M/UzhWHio7HRI/AAAAAAAAKj4/M9c7n2-ZjnU/s640/blogger-image-268898393.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-85312293223819664022014-03-08T13:13:00.001+00:002014-03-08T13:13:16.690+00:008th March, 2014Some nice chits appearing on the Kestrel spuds.<div><br></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJEP0-3ud-w/UxsXYjIBAmI/AAAAAAAAI3g/tBQQds7e5rk/s640/blogger-image--966101413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJEP0-3ud-w/UxsXYjIBAmI/AAAAAAAAI3g/tBQQds7e5rk/s640/blogger-image--966101413.jpg"></a><br><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the broad beans are sprouting.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QgGwqm7farY/UxsXame5kYI/AAAAAAAAI3o/zkAY_3zxpNk/s640/blogger-image-1450374104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QgGwqm7farY/UxsXame5kYI/AAAAAAAAI3o/zkAY_3zxpNk/s640/blogger-image-1450374104.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-2645583915043745642014-03-05T12:52:00.001+00:002014-03-05T12:52:24.329+00:005th March, 2014It's getting warmer. Time to sow seeds.<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QynXovtNpgA/UxceBSlAMQI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/YXD1Id6aWvg/s640/blogger-image--1734274359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QynXovtNpgA/UxceBSlAMQI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/YXD1Id6aWvg/s640/blogger-image--1734274359.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-69033245288320652082014-02-17T11:42:00.001+00:002014-02-17T11:44:19.191+00:0017thJanuary 2014<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>It was a beautiful day yesterday and I made the most of it. I sowed broad beans and onion seeds and put back the greenhouse staging ready for this season.</span></div><div><br></div><div>The temperature reached 15C, plenty warm enough for germination.</div><div><br></div><div>Outside, I finished pruning the Apple tree and shredded the cut branches.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u_GNQ8-MVW8/UwH1v7rTmkI/AAAAAAAAIwI/H4kpFDD85ho/s640/blogger-image--229139594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u_GNQ8-MVW8/UwH1v7rTmkI/AAAAAAAAIwI/H4kpFDD85ho/s640/blogger-image--229139594.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-81307841157019186532013-12-21T20:07:00.001+00:002014-04-12T13:46:56.392+01:0021 December, 2013A short update on the state of my stored veg. The apples are not bad and I have made tasty desserts with them, but some have rotted as expected and many have brown spot which doesn't seem to affect the taste.<br />
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The potatoes have all been eaten and they were very good. I've ordered next year's from<a href="http://www.jbaseedpotatoes.co.uk/"> Jamieson Brothers</a> and have plumped for Kestrel (again) and Romano.<br />
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I continue to harvest beetroot despite them being heavily chomped by slugs. I cut out the bad bits.<br />
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Finally, the onions have been a disaster this year, most of them have rotted and I have had to throw them away and have had to resort to buying them (the shame). Not sure why I have had this problem this year.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567223318108865663.post-23695380752065931442013-11-13T18:09:00.001+00:002013-11-13T18:09:05.863+00:0013th November, 2013Not much to report at the moment. I've removed plants such as courgettes and sweetcorn and added them to the compost bin. The blackberry and tayberry have been cut back and the new growth tied in to the frames for next year.<br />
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All the apples have been picked and only the beetroot, leeks and parsnips remain. The bare beds look a bit sorry for themselves especially with the spent compost from the tomato plants dumped on them rather haphazardly. I could and should dig the stuff in, but I need to add some more compost from the bins so that will mean sorting them out; a messy job.<br />
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I harvested some parsnips last weekend after a frost, so they should be nice and sweet. Well they were a pleasant addition to the Sunday roast. But they have canker which always happens for me, fortunately it is easily removed with peeling. I'm quite pleased with the length of one of them and there's very little forking which indicates my soil is getting better.<br />
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In the greenhouse the sweet peppers have probably stopped growing and are slowly turning red. I'll pick one soon and take a picture of my pathetic effort. I'm going to concentrate on growing chillies from now on as I do use a lot of them in curries.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367337778135311816noreply@blogger.com0