We did actually have some rain last week. It was enough to offer some reprieve from watering but it was showery rather than the prolonged period of rain that the ground really needs but hopefully it will have done some good.
Unfortunately the temperatures dropped considerably and the winds paid us a visit too.
Despite the rain we managed to get some work done on the allotment.
Although we grow onions through weed control fabric, weeds still grow along the channels in which the onions are planted, so some weeding is necessary. One of last week's jobs was to tidy the onion beds before the weeds grew large. Pulling out large weeds can uproot the onions too.
Peas are growing quickly and were in need of support. Fortunately, as we have been giving the peas plenty of water, the twiggy supports pushed in without too much trouble.
We have lots of young brassica plants, waiting in the wings, ready for planting and so, although the conditions weren't exactly good for planting, we prepared a couple of beds in readiness. Video here
The dust was hoed to clear the weed seedlings that seem to manage to grow in the most inhospitable conditions. The parched earth was treated to a copious amount of water and covered with weed control fabric.
Tunnels of enviromesh were then constructed. This acts as protection from multiple pests, ever present wood pigeons, white butterflies, to some extent whitefly and hopefully cabbage root fly.
Also in need of protection were our strawberries which were showing signs of ripening. The netting was in place just in time as a day or two later there were berries ready to pick.
We made sure the ends of the netting were well tucked in and held down so any adventurous blackbirds were kept out. Not only does this protect our crop but also avoids unfortunate birds being trapped in the netting. Sadly the netting is no protection from slugs - which last week's damp conditions tempted to the surface. One way to avoid too many berries being nibbled, is to leave attacked berries in place. Slugs tend to return and browse on berries that they have already nibbled rather than starting on a new berry. If spoiled berries are removed the hungry molluscs will choose another victim.
We decided that a cool, showery day was a good time to prepare our plot greenhouse for tomato planting. This greenhouse doubles as a shed during winter so this was going to be a big job and not one to be undertaken in hot sunny weather.
Last year we grew our tomatoes in grow bags and the tomatoes in half of the bags showed symptoms of weedkiller contamination. Despite the grow bag manufacturer insisting that the compost was free from weedkiller residue, we are loathe to use grow bags again. As well as avoiding grow bags we decided that we would like a method that conserved moisture a bit more effectively.
In the plot greenhouse we decided to use some air pots that we had previously bought in which to grow fruit trees. This didn't prove very successful as the holes in the sides meant they were difficult to keep watered.
In order to overcome this problem we decided to sink the pots into the ground.
Once the greenhouse was cleared and the weed control fabric removed, holes were dug and the pots minus the bottoms were buried. The ground was watered well and the weed control fabric replaced.
The fabric was then cut to reveal the pots and the cut sections tucked around the rims of the pots. Each pot will be filled with a compost that is free of green waste. The tomato plant roots will be free to venture into the surrounding soil if they need more space.
The focus was very much on brassicas last week. As well as preparing for the next planting, we harvested the first of our early brassicas - an Aquilles calabrese and a Regency cabbage. It looks like it's time to get some brassica recipes sorted out.
We also harvested salad ingredients and herbs from the garden as we needed them.
A video of last week's potato reveal is posted here featuring Ruby making a cameo appearance.
Stay safe and let's hope the events at the weekend don't push us back to stage one in an effort to controlling this dreadful virus.
Stay safe and let's hope the events at the weekend don't push us back to stage one in an effort to controlling this dreadful virus.
This week I am linking to harvest Monday hosted on
Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
Posts
We got plenty of rain here over the weekend, I just hope we haven't seen the last of the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteThe soil has definitely improved, Jo so we are trying to get lots done before it dries out again unless of course that was summer
DeleteNo discernible rain, just a few spits and spots, sadly. Like you, I am deeply concerned over the events, globally, of the past week. I was reading how the end of WW1 parties exacerbated the outbreak of Spanish Flu. Going off to see the cameo of Ruby!
ReplyDeleteGood early potato harvest. Can you tell me why the stalks are so tall please, and need cane supports?
DeleteThe potatoes had been growing in the greenhouse since March, Deborah so they were given lots of TLC.they just grew and grew.
DeleteI like the look of that white radish. There are so many pests after brassicas aren't there. Strawberries too. I painstakingly netted mine at the allotment when I had it only to have mice take every last berry. They heaped them up in rotting piles under the broad beans - so frustrating. I like the tip of leaving half-eaten fruit in place.
ReplyDeleteThat is really bad luck about the mice, CJ. As you say there are so many pests working against us.
DeleteNot enough rain, first radish harvest, lettuce flourishing. I've never seen the air pots before. Will be interesting to see how they work this year.
ReplyDeleteThe air pots didn’t work too well with the trees, tpals. When we watered it just drained out of the holes which is why we have sunk them into the ground. We just decided we may as well try to use them rather than throw them away.
DeleteSlugs have been a real problem here this year with our wet spring. I remember when I grew strawberries they always liked to feed on them. I plan to do some experimenting with weed control fabric here, inspired by your use of it. I have several applications in mind, and hope to experiment with fall plantings.
ReplyDeleteI guess now we have had some rain the down side is that the slugs will venture out, Dave. The weed control has certainly made our gardening easier so I hope that it works for you. I’ll read with interest.
DeleteThat looks like a lot of work to grow some tomatoes. I was wondering why you grow your tomatoes in a greenhouse?
ReplyDeleteIt’s quite common for tomatoes to be grown indoors in the UK, Lisa. We do risk some outdoors but they never grow as well and in our climate we are often left with green tomatoes. Tomatoes grown outdoors are also more susceptible to blight which very often affects our tomato plants.
DeleteMy, you were busy this past week! Interesting observation about the slugs returning to nibbled fruit. I reveled to see your pea brush. I first became acquainted with the idea gardening in New England. Robert Frost has a poem about it and I've posted on pea brush several times. https://www.ediblegardens52.com/ediblegardens52/pea-brush?rq=pea%20brush
ReplyDeleteWe have a couple of hazel bushes that we coppice every couple of years, Sue which provides lots of twiggy material.
DeleteBy the way until you mentioned it - I think last year - I never knew that it had a name.
DeleteGood looking strawberries there Sue and very impressive callabrese.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure my arms have stretched with all the watering cans I've humped around this year!
The year before last, I strained something in my shoulder lugging watering cans, Dicky. It took a full year to recover so I’m more careful now not to fill the cane too full.
DeleteWe finally had rain today, how the garden needs it. The wind has been awful around here too. Oh weeds are like cockroaches, indestructible. Good tip re the strawberries and slugs, I always forget to cover my fruit.Good luck with the tomatoes, I'll be interested in hearing how it works out. xxx
ReplyDeleteNow that the rain has started here it doesn’t seem to want to stop, Dina
DeleteI hope that you have had some decent rain since Sue. Quite a bit here. Those strawberries look
ReplyDeleteso mouth watering!
We certainly did, Anna
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