Storm Dora, (or was ir Doris?) spared us a visit and was content to just waft her skirts at us` as she passed by further south. Nevertheless, the week was still generally windy but it didn't stop us from carrying out quite a lot of work on the plot and in the garden.
The garden was mainly light duties
The sarcococca bought on our visit to Hodsock was planted in a pot so that it could live on the patio where we can benefit from the full effect of its perfume. The pot chosen is deliberately overlarge to allow growing room. Until the sarococca grows some flowering plants, maybe pansies or viola, will fill the empty space.
Martyn set out the potatoes as they had decided to begin chitting and would continue to do so whether we wanted them to or not. As a precautionary measure they have been covered with fleece.
Whilst he concentrated on the potatoes, I cut back most of the ferns in anticipation of the emergence or the new, coiled shoots.
On the plot the level of activity was turned up a notch or two.
Martyn's main task was to move the weed control fabric from last year's brassica bed to the one where the brassicas will grow this year.
My main task was to complete the tidying of a bed which was in part occupied by extremely mature rhubarb roots. It was another patch of land that had needed to be cleared for some time.
The end where the rhubarb roots were planted was hard going and reinforcements were drafted in. The huge roots were split - you can see some of the retained pieces along the edge of the bed waiting to be tidied up and planted when we find a spot for them.
Our early rhubarb planted in other beds is well in the way to producing some pickable stems.
Less physical work was to clip back the lavender to keep it bushy. The smaller plants in rows were planted last year and will hopefully replace the older plants either later this year or next.
Although the strawberry beds are covered with weed control fabric they still needed a little TLC. Weed seedlings do manage to gain a foothold in the mulch that is spread over the fabric and some perennial weeds will nudge their way through weak points. If these are dealt with whilst still quite small they are easily removed, This was my final task of the week along with rubbing the dead leaves away to allow new growth unfettered growth.
The second strawberry bed will receive attention on our next visit.
Martyn shot a short video of my hands in action. Forgive the quality of the commentary my throat was a bit dry.
I posted a photo of the state of my knees a while ago and was told that I should use a kneeler. As you can see from the video I do use one - two in fact! This doesn't help at this time of the year.
Martyn posted a longer video showing more of the weekly work here if you are interested.
Posts
My Rhubarb is only just showing signs of life. I would have expected it to come on earlier than yours since I'm a lot further South than you. I suppose it must depend on the variety.
ReplyDeleteIt's the magic of living inside the Rhubarb Triangle, Mark, or it could be that those roots are our earliest variety, we have other varieties at differing stages. Do you know which variety yours is?
DeleteI have the same luck with a kneeler! And gloves! Always start out with them, but end up taking them off so I can get a better "feel" for the weeds.
ReplyDeleteYou have certainly been busy. Your efforts will be rewarded soon, with delicious fruits. Enjoy!
:)
The rubber gloves were definitely easier for weeding, Sue, as for the kneeler, I sort of stay on it but it gets muddy too. Another strawberry bed to deal with on the next plot visit.
DeleteDoris certainly had her Day here! Lots of branches down, minor damage to the garden, both my massive blueberry pots tossed about ~ and today we are sitting in the teeth of another, not quite so bad a blow, but still the winds are around 60 mph until early evening.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I tell people I live in wildly wuthering wet and windy wonderful west Wales!
Looks like a productive time for you Sue. That bed looks like it was heavy going to dig over.. how's the back???
ReplyDeleteDicky
That's a lot of productive work Sue! Hope the kneeler protect your leg! ;)
ReplyDeleteJeans are washed and ready to get muddy again, Malar.
DeleteI would recommend the Burgon and Ball kneelo.
ReplyDeleteWe had a similar experience with Doris, no damage, thank goodness, but the wind always puts me on edge, I'm very nervous when it's windy. The drop in temperature took me aback this morning, we had a smattering of snow which had iced over during the night.
ReplyDeleteYour knees have me smiling. Mine always look like that despite using a kneeler too. Good to know you are powering on! Glad the storm missed you, wehave arrived home to a smashed up garden!xxx
ReplyDeleteToo early spring work, Sue. I've watched Martin's video - you work hard and are doing on your knees, that's I can't do now. ups..
ReplyDeleteI see the rhubarb roots are heavy, they remind me iris roots as well, when I tried to dig them from the flower bed.
Take care!