We had a couple of days out last week and so much of our allotment time was spent clocking up more watering can miles.
On one visit we decided that the early brassica bed would benefit from a little weeding. Planting through weed control fabric doesn't eliminate weeds completely. Weeds still manage to sneak alongside plants and push through the planting holes. Also annual weed seeds will germinate in the mulch which we use to cover the fabric. It does cut down weed growth very significantly though. This was the first time we have weeded the brassicas since planting on 22 April and it didn't take very long. Weeds growing in the mulch are quickly removed and we also managed to harvest a handful of small potatoes courtesy of the volunteer plants that had sprouted from tubers that were missed last year. Isn't it amazing how we carefully avoid planting potatoes until conditions are favourable and yet volunteers that have withstood all that the winter throws at them survive and grow?
Our leek plantlets were very small and grasslike but had to be planted in one of the only beds that was still plantable. They did't stand up proud for long as you will find out later.
The second lot of peas were given supports.
Despite the first lot of broad beans failing to grow strongly we should soon have some beans to harvest.
One job that will need to be tackled shortly is the netting of the blueberries, The plants have lots of fruit and at the first sign of ripening the blackbirds will move in. They are already patrolling the raspberries which we don't net as usually there is plenty to share. The blueberries however, like redcurrants are quickly stripped bare.
You may remember that I needed some lavenders to plug the gaps in the lavender hedging that I am trying to renovate. I have taken some cuttings but Martyn spotted a good offer from DT Browns for 30 young plants and as he had decided to order some new strawberry plants from the same place, he added a pack to the order.
The plants are a good size with a strong root system so we are very pleased with them. The strawberries - Sweetheart - were advertised as producing fruit in August but when we opened the package, the plants already had some fruit. Initially they have been planted in a couple of planting bags.
So to this year's challenging weather. We started the year with the wettest January since Martyn started keeping records in 2009. It was also very cold. February was very cold and snowy with many days recording freezing temperatures. Snow fell in March and like January it was the wettest Match that Martyn had recorded. April produced double the expected rainfall. May contrarily was very dry and the temperatures shot up to bake the saturated soil.
So far June has produced a mixed bag of weather with last Thursday treating us to the ravages of storm Hector. Gale force winds are always a major problem when they whip up at this time of the year. Last year wind flattened the sweetcorn only the day after it was planted and this year although it spared the sweetcorn the young leeks were flattened. Whether they emulate last year's sweetcorn and survive is anybody's guess.
Covers were whipped off the brassicas but, knowing that the wood pigeons would swoop down and devastate the greens, our plot neighbour, Jan recovered them for us.
We were too busy sorting things out to take photos of the aftermath of the gales but Martyn describes it in the video below
So far June has produced a mixed bag of weather with last Thursday treating us to the ravages of storm Hector. Gale force winds are always a major problem when they whip up at this time of the year. Last year wind flattened the sweetcorn only the day after it was planted and this year although it spared the sweetcorn the young leeks were flattened. Whether they emulate last year's sweetcorn and survive is anybody's guess.
Covers were whipped off the brassicas but, knowing that the wood pigeons would swoop down and devastate the greens, our plot neighbour, Jan recovered them for us.
We were too busy sorting things out to take photos of the aftermath of the gales but Martyn describes it in the video below
On Saturday I wanted to plant out some half hardy annuals in order to plug some gaps in the perennial border. It was when I was half way through the task that the sky darkened, the thunder rumbled and the often forecast storm that kept avoiding us deciding that our turn had come. Our gardening activities were cut short and we rushed for shelter in the shed. The storm didn't last long but at least it fulfilled the watering duties for us and once it had calmed down we set off home.
Martyn managed to pick a couple of punnets of strawberries before the heavens opened
Before we headed home we also harvested our first head of calabrese.
As for Monday, it has started off with strong winds again.
Just what else is the weather god going to throw our way?
This week I am linking to harvest Monday hosted on
Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
Posts
What a blessing for the rain! Rain often seems to create a open hole right around us as well. It drives me crazy. Every time I see a path coming strait for us I think it is for sure today, it will happen, then, it opens up all around us then closes and completely bypasses us. So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteThose strawberries are beautiful! And everything you have growing is so nice and lush and healthy looking!
That seems to happen to use too Shawn Ann. Just for a few minutes it hit the spot. Enough to batter but not much water fell in total. I’m afraid a closer look,reveals not quite all is as well as the first glance indicates.
DeleteWe haven't had any significant rain for ages - just a tiny bit of drizzle. Lots of wind though. The soil at my new plot is like dust now, and I have had to water the raised beds in my home garden almost every day for the last couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteOther than the initial excitement of a downpour, it was too,short lived to count as significant, Mark. Certainly not enough to retire the water carriers just gave us a day off.
DeleteYou really have endured some crazy weather this year. Thank goodness you got a reprieve from hauling watering cans. That is an absolutely perfect head of broccoli. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteA very short-lived reprieve, Michelle. That broccoli is no more - we enjoyed it.:-t
DeleteI guess one thing common about gardeners everywhere is that we are keenly aware of the weather! We had a cold and wet winter also, but once it warmed up it kept on raining. Your brassicas sure look healthy and strong. The fabric and mulch surely helps conserve soil moisture too.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly are weather aware. I think that the fabric does help preserve moisture, Dave and warm the soil although at the moment that may not be a good thing.
DeleteInteresting to see you had some blue skies and sunshine along with 'Hector'. It was most overcast all day here. I had planted a wigwam of runner beans on the Wednesday with my niece. We were delighted that our construction skills withstood such a severe test. The weather has been remarkable so far this year Sue and it's only June :)
ReplyDeleteOur poor runner beans look distinctly battered, Anna. Fortunately although battered they haven’t given up.
DeleteHector picked (overwintered) onions and rhubarb for me!
ReplyDeleteHe picked some of our summer ones, Mal so I guess griping will be over for them.
DeleteI am equally baffled by volunteer potatoes - last year, they were actually better in terms of size and yield than the purposefully planted ones!
ReplyDeleteBizarre isn’t it, Margaret. In the same way we have volunteer half hardy annuals often popping up.
DeleteStrong winds can be very destructive. That's a big tree that got knocked over with its pot. I'm glad you were able to get a bit of rain at least. Your calabrese head is very pretty, actually all your brassicas look very healthy and stout.
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing how strong wind can be, Phuong. I really think gales are more destructive than most other weather phenomena.
DeleteLovely update Sue thank you for sharing lovely read as always blessings to you both
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Linda.
DeleteThis years weather certainly has been challenging. We have had very little rain recently too. Certainly, anything that falls is evaporated before it does much good. Fingers crossed that your leeks recover. And for more rain, for all of us!
ReplyDeleteI hope that they recover, Julieanne but they look very sorry for themselves.
DeleteI didn't harvest my potatoes last year due to my surgery, I finally got around to making a start on the veggie patch which is overflowing with volunteer potatoes, some are a decent size as well, just goes to show doesn't it? Love seeing how your produce is getting on, the strawberries look delicious, mine are finally ripening now too. The weather is totally unpredictable here, sometimes four seasons in one day!xxx
ReplyDeleteThe weather has certainly been challenging this year, Dina
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