Firstly an update on our tomato problem. The garden greenhouse tomatoes are as yet unaffected by the suspected grow bag contamination, but several plants in the allotment greenhouse are showing symptoms of varying degrees. I contacted both the manufacturer of the grow bags and the manufacturer of the weedkiller suspected to be the source of the contamination. The compost makers initially asked for photographs which I would have sent on first contact but online forms don't allow for this. These were emailed along with a link to the video that we have produced. The video can be viewed here. This was followed up with a request for a sample of compost for analysis which we are providing. This isn't as simple as it seems as the contamination could be present in a certain part of the bag which we could easily have missed when gathering the sample. Also previous information from the RHS and other sources state that testing is extremely difficult as a tiny unquantifiable trace can affect plants.
The pesticide manufacturer, that now trades under the name Corteva, also requested photos and state that they will be in dialogue with compost manufacturers. They have asked me to keep them informed of any dialogue that I have with the compost company and have also offered a visit from one of their senior biology experts. We intend to take up their offer. I would urge anyone who suspects that they have been affected in a similar way to contact the companies concerned as it is the only way to make them understand that there is a problem.
Anyway enough of that and back to 'proper' gardening matters.
Work levels are easing off a little on the allotment so we are able to concentrate more on the garden. We are going through a phase of needing to renovate parts of the garden. One main border has been completed and shown in a video here. Next in line is an overgrown shrub border which is being cleared.
Martyn also cut back a garrya that had become too big and was casting too much shade.
We have a small bed which we refer to as the bird bath bed that is situated just outside our dining room window. It was starting to look very boring throughout the year. It used to be a mass of small daffodil flowers in spring but the bulbs seem to have disappeared, an overall was needed. Everything was dug out and the soil replenished. The bird bath was moved slightly and the ferns and an astilbe replanted. Now all we need is a garden centre visit to acquire more plants to complete the job.
On the allotment other than some general tidying and of course harvesting which we will come to later, we have focused on a mini project. Despite, Martyn managing to dig over our old strawberry bed which at the beginning of the season looked like this.
The soil dried out again and still wouldn't break down, so we covered it with weed control fabric topped with a thick mulch of partially decomposed wood chippings. The mulch will be incorporated into the soil when the fabric is removed come autumn/winter time. We still wanted to make use of this area so we decided to grow things in containers and grow bags placed on top of the mulch.
So far we have sown, beetroot, swede, parsnips and spring onions in the crates and radish, spinach and various salad leaves in the bags. We already had troughs of alpine strawberries elsewhere on the plot and intend to sow coriander in another trough.
I sowed more salad leaves in our salad bar in the garden. This is handy for when we decide at the last minute that we want some leaves for our lunch.
On to the harvesting. Other than a regular supply of salad leaves and herbs, we had one small treat from the garden, just a taster of ripe cherries provided by Stella - our ghost of summer's past tree. They were a delicious treat and there's more to come.
The ever present wood pigeons are always watchful, waiting for us to forget to protect precious crops both in the garden and, in greater numbers, on the allotment.
It's berry picking time at the allotment and the recently planted strawberry bed is the star performer. The raspberry harvest is down on last year as is the jostaberry harvest. I don't think I can blame the wood pigeons although jostaberries are one of their favourites. I just don't think they have produced as much fruit as usual.
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| 2 July |
The overwintered onions are variable in size but all usable.
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| 4 July |
We are still harvesting cabbages and cauliflowers. The cabbage above was destined for an Ethiopian Cabbage recipe.
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| 6 July |
We had four firsts of the season in last week's harvest, black raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries and broad beans.
By the way, if you fancy a look around our garden greenhouse, Martyn posted a video here
This week I am linking to harvest Monday hosted on
Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
Posts
The renovated bird bath bed looks nice. Imagining it with all the wonderful perennials that thrive in your environs. Don't we all love berries?
ReplyDeleteIt's good the compost makers and the pesticide company are working with you, though it's too bad you have to deal with all that. I'm always impressed by the number and types of berries you harvest. I had a Stella tree at my old place and it did well, but we've not had much luck with cherries here.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for a second responsw from Corteva after thy initially replied promptly, Dave. I've now had an email from the government department that regulates use of chemicals asking for information that I have sent on.
DeleteStella produces delicious cherries if left to fully ripen to dark red.
You need to start having pigeon pie with all of those veggies you grow.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the contamination figured out. What a bad thing to happen.
That's not a bad idea, Lisa. Trouble is that I'm too soft
DeleteLovely harvest, Sue! Especially the berries.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Endah we love the berries.
DeleteI must have somehow missed the relevant compost issue post, but wish you well as you have certainly put in great effort to assist these companies.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your harvest, you've got loads more than I have.
Thanks Deborah we have posted videos on our vlog here too
DeleteBy the way I hope you received my reply to your message.
DeleteGreat harvest Sue. Your berries are ahead of mine. Red currant started to get red, but gooseberry is green yet.
ReplyDeleteYour veggies look very fresh.
But you'll be enjoying yours when ours are just a memory Nadezda
DeleteSue, I wonder if you could please send me the email addresses of the people at Levington's and Corteva with whom you have corresponded, so that I can lend my weight to the campaign?
ReplyDeleteThe addresses are on their way, Mark
DeleteGood luck with the compost problem, I find compost gets poorer every year. Wonderful to see your harvests, especially all that soft fruit. How you manage your soil is beyond me, hope the mulch trick works and all the container plants grow well.xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks< Dina - it's good to try something mew.
DeleteOh my what a beautyfull bunch of berries. Two days ago i cleaned out the freezers of all berries we picked last year and didnt end up in smoothies or yoghurt and ended up with 17 jars of half a liter of jam. Our berries are still mostly raspberries and blackberries though. With the odd blueberry and currant thrown in.
ReplyDeleteWE often have berries left in the freezer, Kari. We freeze plenty in case of a crop failure the following year.
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