I was so absorbed in my work that I didn't notice that one of our plot friends and his dog had walked right by me.
Later when we were sharing a coffee break he said, "You were in the cage so I didn't speak as I was worried that I would make you jump and you would hit your head."
Martyn hasn't yet started to lock me in a cage - the cage in question was the makeshift fruit cage that covers our redcurrant bushes. The ground is covered with weed control fabric and mulched but annual weed seedlings and fallen redcurrants germinate in the mulch and need clearing once a year.
Normally this would be done before the bushes start into growth but, like everything else, this task has been delayed this year meaning that I had to crawl about under, not only leafed but bushes with fruit already set. I dread to think of the view our friend was treated to as he passed.
Anyway the job is done and now we only need to reattach the wire netting to the front of the cage. This was removed to enable easier access.
Each year, these old bushes that we inherited, provide us with a good crop and signs are that this year will be no exception.
Whilst I was scrabbling about on my hands and knees, Martyn was planting our trial potatoes. We bought five tubers each of six varieties that we have never grown before. It is great to be able to buy samples so we can test whether we like them before planting a whole bag of a new variety. We are trying Armour, Blue Belle, Setanta, Orla, Vivaldi and Valor.
The thirty tubers just filled a small bed and of course are all carefully labelled.
We managed more weeding and bed preparation but as the forecast is for some rather unpleasant weather we deferred planting anything. I am sure, like us, the plants like shelter and will prefer the protection of the greenhouse or cold frame.
Yellow tulips have now joined the red ones in the pear bed I showed in an earlier post.
The ground cover of what looks like weed seedlings is actually self sown annual flower seedlings - mainly candytuft. There are one or weeds that will need pulling out but the candytuft makes a good job of keeping the weeds at bay.
Two pear trees were flowering when we left the plot.
I say, when we left the plot, as I am sure only one had open blossom when we arrived. The tree in the foreground above seemed to open in the afternoon's sunshine.
I just hope the insects have been busy and made the most of the warm conditions before they take a turn for the worse.
The thirty tubers just filled a small bed and of course are all carefully labelled.
Yellow tulips have now joined the red ones in the pear bed I showed in an earlier post.
Two pear trees were flowering when we left the plot.
I just hope the insects have been busy and made the most of the warm conditions before they take a turn for the worse.
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Ooh! Your flowery pear-plot is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose this cold spell has done any good, Belinda.
DeleteThat photo of the pear trees blossoming with those gorgeous tulips just shouts "Springtime" to me. How very pretty.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't said spring to day, Sue we had a few snowflakes
DeleteWe have been doing a lot of mulching, in the past week or so - It's definitely a MUCH easier job before all of the bushes leaf out and the weeds really get going.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Margaret.
DeleteYour "small" potato bed seems like a big one to me! We went to Sissinghurst castle today, and they have a huge vegetable garden, with massive beds of garlic. You would have loved it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we will get there one day, Mark.
DeleteAmazing how fast the blossom can't open isn't it. One of my pears is blooming, the second one is almost there. Your pear bed is looking gorgeous. I'm holding off planting things out as well, surely it must warm up soon. My inherited fruit bushes do well too, with very little input from me.
ReplyDeleteNo sign of warming up, CJ it's been cold today.
DeleteI can imagine how you look inside the cage....hahahaa...
ReplyDeleteThe tulips are so beautiful! Hope you get a lot of potatoes this season!
I'm concerned that it is too,cold for the pollinators, Malar.
DeleteI love your tulips, so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe have quite a few tulips in the garden ready to open, Endah
DeleteLovely pear blossom there. Here's hoping for a good crop for you this year.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that the cold hasn't put paid to any fruit, Darren
DeleteThe pear bed is looking lovely. My pears are blossoming well so hopefully we will have another good crop xx
ReplyDeleteTrust the temperatures to drop when the plum and pear blossom is out.
DeleteBeautiful pear tree, Sue! Looking at your red current I dream when mine are in bloom.
ReplyDeleteRed currant flowers are rather strange aren't they Nadezda?
DeleteWhat beautiful tulips !!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
I am hoping that the tulips in the garden bulk up in the same way eventually, Ela
DeleteOh those tulips provide a brilliant splash of colour under the pears Sue. They must be a great weed suppressant too. My two pears are looking so pretty at the moment but these cold nights are a concern and the cold days are not conducive to spending time at the plot.
ReplyDeleteThe cold nights are certainly bad news for fruit setting, Anna
DeleteYou have me laughing re the view your friend was subjected too! Amazing to think those fruit bushes are still going strong, That really is a lovely picture of the pear trees and tulips.xxx
ReplyDeleteThe worrying thing was he took it as just normal,for me, Dina
DeleteI hadn't seen many bees on my redcurrant bush flowers but the fruits have just started forming so there must have been some around...hopefully yours will be a good crop. I'm just starting to catch-up on jobs too, like weeding and mulching the fruit bushes. Nice to hear you're so absorbed by your gardening, hehe.
ReplyDeleteI was taken to another place, Lou :-)
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