The rain just keeps on falling and we are falling well behind with our allotment tasks. Last year was so different and we were well on top of things meaning that we were off to a good start come spring. Last week we only set foot on the allotment on Monday. This was really intended to be a quick visit to harvest some vegetables, but as the rain stopped for a short while we stayed a little longer.
We optimistically removed weed control fabric from a few beds. The general idea was to let air to the soil and maybe dry it out enough for digging. The weather had other ideas and the rain continued unabated.
At least the rain had done us one favour. Do you remember that our old strawberry bed looked like this earlier in the year?
We covered it with weed control fabric and a thick layer of wood chippings before leaving it alone over summer. Last week we removed the covering and the good news was that the cracks had gone but on the down side it was wet and claggy like the rest of the plot. The wood chippings have decomposed and will be dug in as a soil improver, that is unless the worms incorporate it into the soil first.
One job that I did manage was to sow some spinach seeds in a crate in the plot greenhouse. The seed packet stated that the seed could be sown up until October so we decided to give it a go.
We decided that really we would do more harm that good trying to do much more so we harvested a few things and came home.
The first leeks of the season - Oarsman were dug.
We also lifted some carrots but unfortunately many went straight to the compost heap due to the ravages of slugs and the fact that they are sitting in mud!
The dahlias were still hanging on and we managed to cut a bunch to take home.
Other than that we pulled a few spring onions from the crate in the greenhouse and uprooted a Kilaton cabbage. I say uprooted as it was taken home with root intact. This will be stored in a bucket with a little water in order to try and keep it fresher for longer. We use this tactic in winter just in case for some reason we can't get to the plot to gather a harvest.
At home the tubs which were planted with our summer displays have been taken into the greenhouse for some protection.
Although most days we have had some rain there have been some breaks in the weather when we could get out and appreciate the best aspects of autumn.
We regularly dog walk in Rothwell Park and I couldn't resist taking one or two photos with my phone.
The stream that runs through the park has gone from almost dry to being quite lively.
Most weeks we try to have one day or afternoon out. Last week we chose the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Potteric Carr nature reserve which I'll share more photos of on Wednesday. We were lucky as the rain stayed off for the afternoon
No sign of us developing webbed feet yet but if this rain continues there's every chance of that happening soon!
Our complete monthly harvests are listed here.
You can view a video of last week's allotment visit here
also Martyn posted a
Birds' eye view of the allotment here.
This week I am linking to harvest Monday hosted on
Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
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You really do have an uphill struggle, and worryingly this is just the beginning of the bad weather. We have a day or two of respite here, but then in it comes again for next weekend.
ReplyDeleteEspecially when the slugs do their best to eat everything that we grow, Deborah
DeleteYou are lucky Sue, a fifth of my garden is under water and this morning was worse- even after two rain free days I am getting my neighbours drainage - well Cathi actually but her garden gets someone else's water
ReplyDeleteMaybe relatively lucky, Roger. Looks like we will be no dig this winter
DeleteWe are experiencing an early cold snap, which we won't complain about as long as it stops raining long enough to let the farmers harvest. Lovely to see flowers that haven't frozen.
ReplyDeleteIt was below freezing last night tpals so `I’m guessing the dahlias will have gone.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place for dog walking. Our local stream was higher than I've ever seen it on Saturday. Your dahlias still look flawless. I grew some huge ones this year, and the sheer weight of them was their downfall. Still some buds on there though, so there might be a few more.
ReplyDeleteIt’s very popular with dog walkers CJ. After last night I think that the dahlia season will be over.
DeleteSorry to hear about your rain woes. We had a lot of rain here too, but thankfully I am not needing to do anything involving the soil outside. I've never heard of that trick of pulling up the cabbage roots and all. I knew it worked for lettuce, so it makes sense it would for cabbage too. My problem this year has been getting the heads to size up.
ReplyDeleteWe’ve done a similar thing with sprouts, Dave. Our allotment is 3 miles away so we can’t always get there as often as we would like in winter.
DeleteOh girl, I hear you. Even we are getting some much needed rain. It seem like any more the weather does not favor us. It is it or miss. Drought or flood. At least you are getting a few things from the garden.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Lisa it’s all or nothing.
DeleteYour winter sounds like our summer. Nothing but rain. I'm always so impressed at how much you produce from your plot. I have a question about leeks. I planted some this spring and now,they are under snow. If I leave them alone next year will they multiply? Can I wait three years and have a patch like asparagus, or harvest and plant from seed again? I appreciate your feedback.
ReplyDeleteOur leeks run to seed if we leave them too long into the following spring, Bonnie. They don’t multiply just grow a woody central core. We grow leeks from seed every year.
DeleteThank you. I will show more next year. They make a great soup.
DeleteWow... beautiful dahlias. I still waiting for the roots grow and show us their beautiful flowers
ReplyDeleteI don’t think we will be cutting any more this year, Endah.
DeleteHi Sue, I'd leave those composted wood chips on the top of the soil as a mulch if it were me, even broken down a bit they are likey to reduce nitrogen availability if dug in and the worms will eventually 'dig' them in : All the best - Steve
ReplyDeleteHi Steve, the chippings are very well decomposed and it’s not likely that we will get any digging done until spring. I tried to read up on use wood chippings and there are very conflicting theories about their effect on nitrogen depletion. it’s very confusing.
DeleteRain and crazy wild East wind blowing here ! brrrr . You,ve grown some lovely veggies there !
ReplyDeleteYour parklands look a beautiful place to visit for walkies :)
Just hope all the veg manage to survive growing in mud, Debs
DeleteIt's one extreme to another on your plot! I do hope the rain eases soon. Love the walk, the streams around here are similar, full to overflowing. Love your leeks!xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is, Dina the floods have started too but fortunately not near us. Hope not near you either.
DeleteA very interesting post - so great to still have treasures to take home from the plot and lovely countryside too :)
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are treasures, Carrie
DeleteDespite all the rain, the plot is still producing quite a bit. We've had a few days of sun, so I got the garlic in. But from today, for at least 10 days, we are getting rain, rain and more rain. Maybe now you'll get some sun?!
ReplyDeleteWe'll need quite q bit of sun and warmth to dry things out a not Julieanne. The problem is that everything is in mud which isn't too good for the root crops.
Delete