The week before last we planted our first lot of broad (fava) beans and sowed our first lot of peas and I wrote that I would post about this later.
If you pop over to our vlog, I have posted videos of planting the broad beans and sowing our peas. If you watch the videos you will notice that we are rather cavalier in our approach to planting and sowing.
As is usually recommended we sow two bean seeds to a cell, but then we part company with the recommended technique. If, as is usually the case, both seeds germinate we don't discard one of the seedlings but plant both as if it was just one plant.
It seems a sin to reject one of the seedlings when it has done its best to germinate, and we haven't found that planting the two seedling together affects their growth. Of course those leaves don't remain perfect for long as the weevils move in almost immediately as the telltale notches indicate.
Fortunately, as long as the beans grow away at a reasonable rate the weevils only spoil things aesthetically and don't affect the harvest.
As for peas we buy a large bag of peas and scatter the seeds liberally in a shallow trench. Some would say this is overkill but it works for us. There are plenty of seeds to share with any hungry wildlife and we usually have a good harvest - oh why did I tempt fate by saying that?
Only last year a fellow plot holder asked how it was that we had such a lush row of peas. Our attitude is that the only right way to garden, is the way that works for you and these methods have served us well over the years.
Last week we planted the last of our seed potatoes. These were left overs from earlier planting, and the intention was to use them up. We had some Nadine, one or two Winston and, as the tubers were small, quite a few Osprey.
It's a good feeling to complete potato planting. The first lot of Rocket and Casablanca planted in open ground are just starting to push through and the container planted potatoes in the greenhouse are growing quickly.
I also planted some All Year Round cauliflowers to fill up the brassica bed started earlier.
I also planted some All Year Round cauliflowers to fill up the brassica bed started earlier.
Sowing is now well underway and our sowing and planting list is growing far too quickly to list everything here.
On the allotment more beds have been prepared and the grass paths cut.
This was managed before the weather turned unfriendly at the weekend. The winds will no doubt have shaken the apple and quince blossom to the ground but hopefully some fruit will have set.
I've mentioned previously that we are rejuvenating an area of our garden and so we have bought a small clematis and a couple of cornus to add to the bed.
I'm hoping that one cornus will develop red stems and the other yellow but one thing that I am unsure of is, should I cut them back or has this already been done?
If you're interested in taking a walk around our garden, I've posted a video here
We have managed some harvesting. The overwintered cauliflowers are producing heads and although some were fairly small they were starting to blow and needed cutting.
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| 23 April |
Some of the cauliflower went into a turkey and cauliflower bake.
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| 26 April |
Although the PSB is starting to flower, I managed to pick enough for a helping.
The overwintered cabbages are also starting to look rather shabby, but I managed to get enough from the specimen above to make a batch of coleslaw.
When I was sorting out the cabbage patch, I came across these twins but they lived for another day.
At the moment a weekly harvest isn't complete without featuring rhubarb.
Some of our clumps of rhubarb are becoming crowded so, Martyn split some and planted up a new bed.
At the moment a weekly harvest isn't complete without featuring rhubarb.
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| 28 April |
This week I am linking to harvest Monday hosted on
Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
Well haven't you been busy!
ReplyDeleteAnd we’ve only just begun, Mal
DeleteI plant my peas the same way and never thin them. I've also been asked why my rows are so full and vigorous. I think the peas like it
ReplyDeleteThey certainly seem to thrive, Alex. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteIt's so rewarding to keep on harvesting and reap the tasty rewards of your labour.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, Deborah
DeleteIn your first photo, one of the BB plants (centre, bottom) is quite stunted. If this was in my garden I would say that plant has been affected by the dreaded weedkiller contamination, but since it's in yours, I hope it is just a late developer!
ReplyDeleteIt is late to germinate, Mark. Thankfully not weed killer.
DeleteRe the Dogwoods: the plain green one with yellow stems looks as if it has been pruned, but the one with variegated leaves perhaps hasn't been. If it were me, I wouldn't prune either of them this year. I would let them get settled in first and prune them NEXT Spring.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark I’ll do that.
DeleteI agree with you, there is no single right way to garden, the right way is what works for you because every garden is different.
ReplyDeleteThat’s why it is difficult to advise anyone else, Michelle. I hate when people say this is the way you should do something. I usually say, “This way works for me”.
DeleteI love your cauliflower seedlings Sue. They're tall and healthy.
ReplyDeleteI think this clematis will grow well, does it need to be pruned?
The clematis does need pruning Nadezda it’s a group 2 plant.
DeleteI typically sow more peas and beans than the 'recommended' amount but it has worked for me too. I'm always glad when germination is poor but I still have plenty of sprouts! I'm not one to mess with success.
ReplyDeleteThere’s always the chance that mice will eat some too, Dave
DeleteYour allotment plots are so neat and tidy. I always end up hungry after reading your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteAs we head for the hungry gap, I think that will change, Lisa
DeleteSo envious of all the work you are getting done - it's been on and off around here as the weather has been rather uncooperative. I love your saying - "the only right way to garden is the way that works for you" - so very true!
ReplyDeleteDon’t you just hate it when people say that you must garden in a certain way, Margaret?
DeleteI've noticed that some of the allotmenteers on our site plant peas singly to grow up a frame. I sow them the way you do and just put twiggy sticks around them. As for the cornus I would leave pruning them until next spring
ReplyDeleteWe use twiggy sticks too, Margaret. Yes I’ll leave the cornus this year while they are just babies.
DeleteSo many things! My immune system is low so I'm not able to do the allotment at present so this wonderful post makes me feel a bit jealous.
ReplyDeleteIt must be really frustrating for you, Lucy. I hope that things improve soon.
DeleteWhat with gale force winds this last weekend and frost forecast for this coming one it's all fun and games Sue 😃 Your new clematis looks most attractive.
ReplyDeleteNot looking forward to this weekends weather, Anna.
DeleteI do hope your fruit set, we had the same problem here. Good to see all the progress on the plot and in the garden. Love your choices of plants.xxx
ReplyDeleteI think some fruit has set, Dina the next question is will it fall foul of the June drop?
ReplyDelete