Monday, May 14

Another mad weekend

We've had another busy weekend on the plot. When the weather allows, you just have to go at it like a mad person or in our case two mad people. It's the only way that we'll catch up. Although to really catch up we need some warm weather and no cold nights in order to encourage reluctant plants and seedlings to grow.

Saturday was mainly a planting day. At last. Martyn managed to sow the carrot seeds and erect their protective home.
Last year the dry conditions slowed down carrot growth but the weeds still managed to flourish. The consequence was swamped carrots and a very poor crop. This year we are using weed control fabric to try and give the weeds a bit more of a challenge. Martyn has posted in detail on his blog here.

Whilst Martyn was busy dealing with carrots I planted out more broad beans. The ones planted earlier are looking a bit, (well to be honest a lot), worse for wear. It was tempting to pull them out but some have flowers so we decided to give them a chance. We now have three varieties planted. Witkiem Manita ( the poorly ones), Bunyards Exhibition and Red Flowered.
After that I hoed and weeded the spring planted onions and shallots. After all the rain the soil had developed a crust but surprisingly there weren't many weeds. Onions are a priority when it comes to weeding. Once the weeds develop a stronghold it can be difficult to remove them without damaging the onion foliage or uprooting the bulbs. Also too much weed growth can cause it to be too damp around the bulbs.







I also was drawn to our very overgrown autumn raspberry patch. The intention, this year, was to dig out all the raspberries, dig over and fertilise the patch before replanting the raspberries. As this intention is unlikely to be carried out this year, I contented myself by tidying it up. Once the canes grow a bit more, I'll thin them out.



















Sunday was another tidying day. Martyn strimmed three fifths of the plot and tidied up some of the edging. (I wish the vegetable plants were growing as well as the grass is). We also both tidied up some of the beds in an area of the plot that had so far been neglected. More shock photos for those who think our plot is ultra tidy. It is getting there but we still have a few beds that are in need of concerted attention.
Befores above and afters below. It was strange how in some parts of the beds the soil was soggy and in others easy to dig. Now the beds are ready to be tilled and planted - that is if anything grows well enough to be planted - what a year!

After thought: Some potatoes are just managing to peek through the soil so no frost now thank you!


22 comments:

  1. You've been busy. I could kick myself that I missed a decent gardening weekend, but we had other commitments so nothing ended up getting done. I'm hoping to get down to the allotment at some point this week though.

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    1. It's one of those years isn't it, Jo when we have to just do what we can when we can!

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  2. Oh I wish I had the room for raspberries - such a delicious food and so amazing straight from the plant. Your broad beans are looking good and just loking at them has made me realise mine have yet to germinate - I hope they will the seed was getting a little on the old side...

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    1. It's the ones at the far end that are a bit dodgy, Liz. You are so right about raspberries- love them

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  3. Your garden looks lovely to me.

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    1. I suppose we know what is out of camera shot Becky ;)

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  4. Just to let you know that I've finally got round to doing the competition. I've submitted the form, hope you've got it. I was stuck on about three of them for ages. It's funny how they're quite obvious once you've worked them out but have you stumped for ages beforehand.

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    1. The entry has arrived safely Jo. At least with this competition you know whether you have them all correct don't you? It will definitely be a hat job this time!

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  5. I made a start on weeding my onion patch today...! Thanks for the advice :-) Mel xx

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    1. Well done Mel. It's always better to learn from other people's mistakes (mine) than from your own!

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  6. Jane said to me earlier "You missed the weather forecast. It was all about the 4-letter word." So is that Rain, Hail, Wind or Snow, I wonder..?
    certainly not the 3-letter word "Sun".

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    1. Or it could be COLD Mark. No rain for us yesterday so we managed to get an afternoon in the garden

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  7. Hi Sue, your plot is so impressive! While I haven't done much with onions yet, I will remember to keep them weeded! I hope you guys get in the clear of the frost! Cheers, Jenni

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    1. Some nice spring weather wouldn't be unwelcome Jenni.

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  8. Grasses really grows very fast there in your climate. Hopefully this year the weeds won't be so bad and effect your carrots. I can imagine its not easy to catch up with the weeds.

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    1. The weeds are generally on the winning side Diana.

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  9. Look like we both had a very productive weekend Ann. Now we just keep our fingers crossed for warmer days and only sprinkling of rain....between 10pm and 5 am would be nice!!

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    1. I don't know about Ann! But we certainly got plenty done Amy lol ;)

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  10. It must have been very busy weekend! Great job!
    Weeds grow so fast here too! ;(

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    1. I think weeds grow fast everywhere Malar

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  11. All your plants look really healthy in the photos! Hope you have better success with the carrots this year.

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    1. I hope so too Kelli. The poorly looking leeks are at the far end of the row so not as obvious

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