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!