We are still allowed to go to our allotment during lockdown but we are trying to limit our time there to getting done the things that are necessary rather than just pootling about. We are also keenly aware that the lockdown conditions could change at the drop of the hat and so are planning accordingly.
We had some brassica plants at home that would have spoiled had we not planted them out so this was a priority. We planted calabrese - Aquiles, cabbage - Regency and cauliflower - Seoul. Being early plantings, all as usual were bought as plug plants.
As, on our site brassicas run the gauntlet of multiple pests the young placed were covered under a protective tunnel of enviromesh.
We had already planted a row of early potatoes comprising of half Casablance and half International Kidney, so we planed up a second identical row.
Another job that needed to be completed was the planting of onion sets. One bed was ready for this and so I planted a row each of Sturon, Hercules, and Centurion and another row made up of a mixture of Red Karmen and French Pink.
We finally planted up our trial potato bed which comprise of four tubers each of Ulster Prince, Sarpo Una, Maris Piper, Pentland Javelin, Gemson and Mayan Rose
The potatoes that we planted earlier in crates have just pushed through, We put two tubers in each crate. One contains International Kidney and the other Casablanca.
In another crate we had sown some carrots and radishes both of which jhave now germinated.
The troughs had been in our plot greenhouse but with threat of more restrictions, due to some people flouting the lockdown rules, we decided to bring the troughs home as we may be unable to look after them.
We managed to fit three of the four crates in the car- one containing International Kidney, one containing the carrots and radishes and a crate containing spinach. These are now relocated in our garden greenhouse.
We also brought home the gooseberry and lavender cuttings as if we can't get to the plot to do some watering they wouldn't survive.
In our home greenhouse we already had some potted strawberry taken from runners last year. These were destined to be planted at the allotment but will now probably stay put.
Our harvest was very similar to previous weeks with the purple sprouting broccoli still ticking over. The rhubarb was cooked and frozen and the looks were also frozen. I feel like a squirrel preparing for leaner times.
The natural world continues its seasonal routine oblivious to the problems being faced by mere humans.
The tulips are popping open and the fruit blossom is unfurling.
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We are still getting to our allotment often, Sue and I am getting as much in the ground as possible. So worried we will get stopped from going. I have a few plans for growing things in troughs in the garden at home if that happens, but the greenhouse would suffer, no greenhouse at home sadly
ReplyDeleteI feel the same, Margaret - we are at the mercy of those who flout the rulings and end up making us all suffer for it.
DeleteI would hope that, if lockdown steps up a gear, allotments would be exempt, for growing your own eases pressure on shops. I missed the boat on both securing help to dig over and getting my fresh topsoil delivered so may be restricted only to salad crops this year. Better than nothing, and I do have a fine crop of nettles and dandelions.
ReplyDeleteYou would hope so, Deborah but who knows what will happen. Our problem will be running out of cpm[OST. At least you’ll be able to make nettle sou[. 😳
DeleteAs you saw on the blog we too are growing stuff at home just in case. i think it makes a lot of sense especially as our allotments are still under threat of closure if people mess about and don't adhere to the rules of social distancing. Your allotment patio looks good, as does the official plot. Cool that you are trying different spuds - we have found ours = pentland javelin :)
ReplyDeleteKeep safe, keep growing and keep smiling lovely lady x
It’s such a shame that we could have to suffer for the mindless minority who will no doubt continue to flout any new rules too, Carrie. Each year we try some potato varieties that we haven’t grown before. Some then make it onto our main list.
DeleteIt would not make sense if I was allowed to drive to the supermarket and queue to buy rhubarb but was forbidden from harvesting the same product from my allotment in splendid isolation. (I'm trying the French Pink onion sets this year too)
ReplyDeleteSince when did making sense come into the equation, Mal. We’ll have to exchange notes on the French Pinks - have to say that the. Sets weren’t the best.
DeleteThose brassica seedling look good and hopefully they are safe under the cover you provided. I am hoping to start planting ours out this week. I know what you mean about preparing for the future. I am making weekly trips to the grocery for what we need there, and I fear every trip will be my last for a while if things get worse. We do have lots of garden goodies in stores and the freezer. It might get boring after a while, but we won't go hungry. And I am thankful it is coming into a more favorable growing season here too.
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DeleteSo far we are managing to get our shopping online, Dave and delivered but this week’s could be our last for a while as the supermarkets have run out of available slots. Like you we have quite a bit in our freezers so won’t starve . Martyn usually makes all our bread but it’s fairly difficult to buy flour so we’re having to ration that.
In many ways this has hit at a bad time as for us Maynis our hungry gap.
I am fascinated by all the different types of potatoes people are planting. It seems that every blog post I read or FB post about potatoes every gardener has different types of potatoes. I wonder how many types of potatoes there are to choose from??? I certainly hope you won't be denied access to your allotment. That would be a shame. As you say no common sense from any sector it seems. Be well and stay busy.
ReplyDeleteI read that there are 500 varieties of potatoes in the UK, Lisa but only 80 varieties are available commercially.plenty to choose from. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens with lockdowns etc.
DeleteWe're all thinking a little differently about the garden this year and planning for the uncertain future. The edible garden is a pleasant and useful diversion. I had forgotten the trick of planting the radishes between carrot rows. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately this is true, Sue
DeleteI'm enjoying reading allotment blogs while mine is non-allotment at the moment while in my 3-months of shielding. Hoping to recover some some home-grown goodies a bit later in the year, in the meantime I'll follow other people's progress
ReplyDeleteIt must be so frustrating, Belinda but your health is the main priority.
DeleteI'm glad you are making progress Sue, everything seems more urgent foodwise this year, as you say, uncertain times. I do hope you will be allowed to visit the allotment in the future, how I wish people would follow the rules. I dread not being allowed out, keeping three dogs cooped up would drive them crackers.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does, Dina. Who knows what the future holds. You certainly have your job cut out with three active dogs.
DeleteYour posts are keeping me sane at a time like this! We've been getting out as often as we can. Work seems to expect us to be online at all hours now that we're working at home. We sowed out beetroot and carrots, and made sure to cover both beds with netting as the neighbourhood cats seem to think our veg beds are their own personal toilet!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, and good luck!
I’m glad to help, DQ I used to find when I worked at home that I put in a huge number of hours. Emails came in at all times and I couldn’t resist answering them. Cats can be a real nuisance in the garden and there seems to be little you can do to stop them.
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