Has summer finally arrived?

At long last summer arrived last week and we enjoyed some sunshine and warmer temperatures. One day it was actually too hot to stay at the allotment. After harvesting a few things and watering tomatoes in the greenhouse we headed home.

We didn't feel the need to do any general watering as we have had plenty of rain recently and last week the showers didn't stay away completely.

Some beds, such as those containing potatoes, are now emptying but elsewhere plants are growing at speed.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Where is summer?

Times running out. If summer is going to make an appearance this year, it had better get a move on. So far, July has been very wet. We've had heavy rain and thunderstorms which I usually associate with the breakdown of a warm spell. This must be a misconception on my part as we hadn't had any warm temperatures. The rest of the time we have had fine drizzle. The sort that tempts you out and you end up wet before you realise that it is actually raining.

We have managed some time at the allotment. We're now into the stage where keeping things tidy and harvesting is the order of the day.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Where's the buzz?

The battle with the elements recommenced after the previous week when we were given a taste of what summer should be like. This time our assailant was gale-force winds.

On Friday it was with some trepidation that we headed for the allotment. Our site is fairly exposed and the worst time for strong winds is when trees are in full leaf.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

June in pictures

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Growth spurt

The weather continues to vacillate. It seems to have become confused as to what season it is, so it keeps trying out different ones, seemingly trying to decide on the best fit.

During the period of summery weather, the plants kicked their heels and sprung into action. This is what they had been waiting for.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Dastardly wood pigeons

We had a taste of summer this week. Jumpers were cast in favour of tee shirts. However, in order not to tempt fate whenever we went out we had a supply of clothing ready for whatever weather we were likely to encounter.

Plants have responded to the improved temperatures and put in a welcome growth spurt.

Last week, I stated that I hoped that, as the first lot of peas had grown taller and were staked, the wood pigeons would leave them alone. I hoped in vain, the wood pigeons persisted in eating the leaves. As a result, we have had to drape netting back over them. A plot neighbour told us that he even caught pigeons stripping the flowers off his peas. We're not sure where we go from here as the peas will end up tangling with the netting. The only option seems to be to build some sort of cage.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Well behind

Summer is obstinately still refusing to put in more than a fleeting appearance. No activities are planned without consulting various weather radars,  models and forecasts. The problem is that most seem no wiser than we are. The forecasts seem to change quickly and an expected dryish day often turns out to be just the opposite.

Martyn looked back on our harvesting records for last June. The strawberries are on cue but, in just over a week, we should be looking towards harvesting, courgettes, peas and broad beans.

Courgette. plants still have lots of growing to do before they start producing flowers let alone fruit.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Jumpers in June

When we made the flippant comment, "That was probably our summer", after the one summery week in May, we were hoping that it wouldn't turn out to be prophetic. According to weather 'experts' May was the hottest on record. Really? That certainly wasn't our experience. Plants didn't think much of the dull weather either. As for June, so far there hasn't been much improvement. Any sunshine that we have had, has been negated by the cold winds.  It's not tee-shirt weather. We are still in jumpers and fleeces. Plants are growing slowly and being battered by the winds. The phrase 'grass frost' is making our ears prick up. So far that hasn't affected us - whew!

At least the roses seem to acknowledge the fact that it is summer.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

May in pictures

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

It's a battlefield

When we first started allotmenting, it seemed to be a more peaceful way to spend time. We planted and, as long as we weeded and watered, things tended to grow. Tomatoes were grown outside but blight never affected them. As plots all around us were head-high with weeds maybe we had a protective barrier.

Whatever the reason, as allotments became more popular and plots filled up pests and diseases moved in.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Short and sweet

Our spell of lovely summery weather was short-lived and we are back to dodging the rain.

Despite the weather, we have managed to get on with work on the allotment. In the plot greenhouse, Martyn planted up the tomatoes  There only remains the plants that will live outside at the plot to plant out.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Spring into summer

Last week the sunshine stuck around and we enjoyed summery weather. We seem to have skipped spring and jumped forward into summer. Will it last?

At the allotment, we are even having to water. The soil is still wet below the surface which is fine for potatoes and anything that is fairly well established but the surface is dry so seeds and young plants with shallow roots need a helping hand.

We are a bit concerned about our first sowing of peas. They don't seem to be growing fast enough and the weevils are chomping some shoots into oblivion. The row is very patchy.

As well as general plot maintenance, I also sowed a mixture of annual flowers and picked the first small posy of sweet peas.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Carrots, peas and T-shirts

Last week the weather took a rather dramatic turn for the better. The sun shone and the temperatures felt summery. There's nothing more fickle than the weather here in the UK. This week it's just as likely that it will turn wintery.

The hedgerows are now covered in hawthorn or May blossom. The old saying, "Cast not a clout 'til May is out", was very appropriate. The May blossom is out and clouts - or articles of clothing - were duly cast. It was T-shirt weather but just to be on the safe side sweaters were kept close by.

Things were spurred into action at the allotment. The potatoes are growing quickly. All the potatoes have now pushed through the soil. Hopefully, damp conditions below ground with warmth and sunshine above will provide ideal growing conditions. We have to hope that our weather hasn't a sting in its tail and throws a late frost into the mix.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

April in pictures

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

A taste of spring

The weather is gradually improving with some spells of sunshine lifting the mood. The rain hasn't totally left the stage and continues to have a co-starring role.

The first potatoes are through so fingers crossed that we don't have a late frost.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Seas of bluebells

Our weather continues to be unsettled so we are having to fit in visits to the allotment and walking with Ruby around whatever the weather throws at us. When it isn't actually raining it is often bitterly cold making it seem more like winter than spring.

We managed a couple of trips to the allotment. Much time was spent weeding and tilling beds that had been too wet earlier. Really, some beds are still rather soggy, but we have to do the best we can as we need to get on with planting.

We sowed two rows of early peas. We sow these thickly into a shallow trench. It's nothing like the recommended way but it works for us and provides us with a good crop. We buy a big bag of seeds so can afford to sow generously and this means there are plenty of seeds to share with any hungry mice. Enivromesh was laid over the bed to deter any animal disturbance. Once the seeds start to shoot this will be removed.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Spring green and blue

Our weather continues to be unsettled. I guess that we should see that as a bonus as now it just rains some of the time.

We have had some hail and rain accompanied by bitingly cold wind. We have had some sunshine but this hasn't meant that the temperature crept up although at times we have been tempted to shed one of our layers of clothing.

At the beginning of the week, the forecast was promising that the weather would improve, but of course, that changed, although the weekend was relatively pleasant.

At least, we have continued to make progress at the allotment. We planted a second bed of onions, shallots and garlic. The shallots were seedlings and so will only each produce one shallot each but last year the individual shallots were huge. Mal informed me that if I replanted a shallot the following year it would produce a cluster. Two of last year's shallots have shooted so I have planted them to see what happens. You may be able to spot these at the end of the far row, they may be too far gone but we'll see what happens.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Some progress

The weather has continued to tease. Some days have been positively spring-like but dark water-laden clouds suddenly appear in the sky threatening and often delivering more rain.

We made the most of the rain-free periods to work on the plot and in the garden as well as fitting in Ruby's walks.

One job was to plant more potatoes. One of our favourite potatoes is Elfe. For the last couple of years, we haven't been able to source any seed potatoes so last year we planted some of the ones we had stored over winter. We did wonder whether they would produce a harvest and it turned out that we had a better harvest from them than most of the other varieties planted. As a result, we will be planting our stored Elfe again. Last week we planted a couple of short rows.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

A start to planting

We did have some glimpses of spring last week. Unfortunately, the rain hasn't completely given up the assault. Just when we feel as if there may be a chance for the soil to dry out a little, another downpour takes us back to square one. On part of the allotment, the paths are even more squelchy, so much so that we are trying to avoid walking on them. The rain doesn't even come as short showers, some days it lasts most of the night. As if that wasn't bad enough we have been battered by strong winds. Looking on the bright side at least the winds should help dry the soil a little, hopefully at least to the point where any weeding that we attempt isn't accompanied by a slurping soundtrack.

Despite the weather, we really did need to start planting. Onion sets were in danger of spoiling, one variety had, in fact, started to grow. The ones grown from seed were outgrowing the cells that they were sown in.

As usual, we plant onion sets and seedlings in shallow trenches filled with multipurpose compost. Fortunately, the bed planned for the onions was prepared last autumn and had been covered with weed-control fabric. It was also relatively workable.

 

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

March in Pictures

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Daffodils and blossom

Saturday was a lovely day. The sun shone, it was warm enough to be at the allotment without multiple layers of clothes and it didn't even rain.

Earlier in the week, Martyn tilled the long bed that was due to rehome some raspberry canes.

Other raspberries will be moved but we are leaving them in position until after they have fruited.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

A battle between the wind and the sun

Our weather continues to set us a challenge. We have had glimpses of brightness but these are usually accompanied by strong, bitterly cold winds. It's reminiscent of the Aesop's fable which tells the argument between the wind and the sun. As far as we are concerned the wind is winning,

At the allotment, we had an increasingly huge pile of debris that was due to be burned in November, The wet weather put paid to that plan and the pile continued to grow. Last week after a couple of dryish days and the threat that more wet weather was forecast, we decided to try to have a fire. 

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Give me sunshine

Last week, we did have some sunshine but, most days, it tended to be in the morning and by the afternoon it had clouded over and sometimes given way to drizzle or rain. It was also quite cold.

We still managed our weekly long walks with Ruby and, at the weekend, we had a couple of afternoons at the allotment. We continued tidying which didn't provide many photo opportunities. All the grass paths were strimmed and are looking much neater.

We have a couple of gooseberry plants which are trained onto a support. I spent one afternoon trimming them. I know that I haven't pruned them correctly but this doesn't seem to affect fruiting and that is what really matters.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

February in Pictures

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Sorry, I forgot to post this last week!

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Nature into spring mode

We had glimpses of better weather last week but also had days that were predominantly gloomy and drizzly.

The number of bright, dry days needs to increase if our soil is going to be fit for working. Maybe I'll look back on this time in summer when we are lugging watering cans or maybe we will still be waiting for things to dry out. Who knows what our weather will bring? Weather forecasts seem to change by the hour so it is difficult to make any definite plans.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

More of the same

We have tiptoed into meteological spring but nothing has changed as far as the weather is concerned. It's still very wet and at times also very cold.

See Martyn's blog for more details on the weather

Two afternoons saw us venturing to the allotment. On the first afternoon, the work that was more or less the same as on our previous visit. Martyn emptied another compost bay

I concentrated on a raspberry bed. This bed was planted a few years ago. We planted several varieties but only two grew to produce a berry harvest. The row is planted through weed control fabric but we are going to remove the strip along the front so that we can improve the soil. The canes that I dug up the week before will be planted here and we will probably plant some annual flowers - maybe calendula - along the front.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Webbed feet anyone?

The rain doesn't let up. When it isn't actually raining and the sun makes an appearance there is little warmth, in fact, we have had some frosty mornings despite the lovely blue, sunny sky.  Martyn's blog gives more details about the weather.

The conditions are such that the sodden ground isn't likely to become dry enough for gardening any time soon. Last February's blog post shows Martyn was tilling the beds to get them ready for planting.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Will it ever be dry again?

Will the ground ever dry up so that we can work on the allotment without being caked in mud? When it isn't actually raining the weather is mainly gloomy, damp and drizzly. 

It's difficult to imagine that we may end up hauling watering cans around the plot later in the year.

We did have some dry, sunny days at the weekend so last week we did manage to do some work on the allotment. It is still very muddy so the work didn't involve any digging Martyn, started work on the compost area. He began emptying one of the bays and spreading the compost on beds in which potatoes will be planted. He is also replacing some panels as he goes along.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

A light covering

We had a light snowfall last week. It was wet snow and didn't hang around. Most snow arrived after dark, and then turned to rain.  By morning any signs that it had been had more or less disappeared.

Ruby wasn't impressed as it meant that she missed out on her afternoon at Nostell

She didn't understand what the fuss was about but as we didn't know how much snow would fall we decided to stay home and not risk getting stuck.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Welcome drops of snow

We were intending to go to the allotment at the weekend but the weather conspired against us yet again. At the beginning of the week, we managed to build a new fence for my sister and we have a bootload of wood from the old fence to transport to the allotment where Martyn intends to use it to repair the composting area.

The weather didn't stop us from popping to the local garden centre where we bought most of our seed potatoes, onion and shallot sets and garlic.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

More wind

There were more strong winds last week, but we did manage one afternoon at the allotment. So far we have been let off lightly where the winds have been concerned. A couple of beds had the enviromesh covers blown to one side. Other than that the main problem was that the greenhouse frame from a neighbouring plot had, yet again, blown onto our plot. This must be the fourth or fifth time that this has happened. Fortunately this time there was little damage. In summer it managed to batter our sweet peas, Martyn, once again, dragged it back onto the neighbouring plot along with a large sheet of black plastic that had come from the same place.  No doubt it won't be the last time that the frame visits us.

My sister wasn't as lucky as us, her garden fence was flattened so this week we will be on fencing duty.

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NB: I still can't comment on most Blogger blogs unless I am able to comment anonymously which many blogs have switched off. I'm not ignoring you but it seems that this is a widespread Blogger issue so if you use Blogger you may have fewer comments than usual.

If you are having the same issues commenting here you can comment on the full post which uses WordPress.

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Icy

Last week was bitterly cold so we stayed away from the allotment. When the ground was really frosty, some of our walks were shortened. We could wrap up warmly but we were concerned that Ruby's feet could end up frostbitten. We wash her feet if she has been walking where there are lots of dogs. This was recommended by a vet. Dogs tend to lick their feet so washing helps cut down the chances of Ruby picking up some diseases. At this time of year, it also washes off any salt pickled up from gritted footpaths. Ruby is used to the routine so it only takes a minute or two and is worth the small amount of effort.

We went to Nostell at the end of the week when the ground wasn't as frosty but the lakes were iced over.

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NB: I still can't comment on most Blogger blogs unless I am able to comment anonymously which many blogs have switched off. I'm not ignoring you but it seems that this is a widespread Blogger issue so if you use Blogger you may have fewer comments than usual.

If you are having the same issues commenting here you can comment on the full post which uses WordPress

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

All fall down

The weather was cold and bleak last week. Just for a change everywhere was wet. Even when it wasn't raining we seemed to be living in a cloud. It also seemed to have forgotten how to be light. Saturday started out very bright and sunny but then seemed to realise its mistake and, by the time we arrived at the allotment, the sun decided it was time to go into hiding.

When the weather is like it is, our main reason for visiting the plot is to harvest a few things. We managed to find a few sprouts, and a couple of cabbages - one green and one red. They are both very small but hopefully, we will manage to get something out of them.

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NB: For some reason, I can't post a comment on many Blogger blogs. I am told that I need to sign in to Google but when I click the sign-in button nothing happens. If blogs that I visit regularly don't see me commenting, I'm not ignoring you.

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Rain+rain=mud

We've had lots more rain this week. It seems once the rain starts it doesn't know when to stop. Accompanying the rain we have been treated to strong winds. It's been generally unpleasant although the sun has struggled to make brief appearances.

The allotment is very soggy so any work on the plot is still on hold. We did however need more parsnips and leeks so we popped to the allotment to do some harvesting and check on any damage.  Other than enviromesh being blown off some beds and a piece of weed control fabric being shredded, we seem to have got off lightly.

Enviromesh had partially blown off the bed where the onions, garlic and shallots are growing which provided us with the opportunity to check how they were doing before repegging down the mesh.

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

December in pictures

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Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett