I Must Be Out Of My Tree

A good productive 5 days, during the past week, down the plot, has seen a few changes to things, apart from the persistent rain, hail and heavy showers that is. Monday and Tuesday of last week were none starters due to more rain. I got down to the plot on Wednesday to find out that the plot next to my main plot had become vacant, after the previous tenants Cecil and Mandy had given it up. A shame really as we got along fine together whilst working on our plots. I had been waiting to swop my 2nd plot for this one, which Cecil and I had agreed to some time ago. The plot had become overgrown this year and I think the bad weather had caused Cecil and Mandy to give up on it, which has been the case  for quite a few other plot holders, this year, too. My first job on Wednesday was to start digging over the first of the vegetable beds, removing weeds, grass and in particular the first batches of  Dandelion and Buttercup plants, which were infesting most of the plot. Rotavating was out of the question, due to the wet ground and with the vast amount of Dandelions being well established, chopping the roots up wasn't an option either.

My New Allotment Plot (How It Looked Last Wednesday)

By Saturday evening I had cleared the first 2 beds of weeds, given a cursory mowing to the surrounding grass areas, cleared 2 large Rhubarb plants of dead foliage and weeds and transferred various items of gardening equipment from my old 2nd plot to N2 Plot. The 4 days work was slow and laborious due to the wetness of the soil and having to dodge rain showers, every 15 minutes, particularly on Thursday afternoon, with 1 shower of hailstones to boot. I used walking boards, underfoot, to avoid compacting the clay soil any more than necessary.

Lower End Of New Plot Overgrown With Buttercups/Grass

 Sundays weather was a complete contrast to the rest of the week, with sunshine all day. I didn't make it to the plot though, due to family birthday celebrations down in Devon, another county suffering with plenty of rainfall this year.

Rhubarb And Chives Weeded Saturday Top Of New Plot

First 2 Beds Dug And Weeded By Saturday

 I started work down the plot early this morning with more digging and weed removal. The sun made an appearance for about an hour, a little after midday. Just as the soil began to dry out slightly, back came the rain showers. After the third heavy downpour I gave up with the digging, having completed about 5 x 20 foot of ground, spending the rest of the afternoon transferring more equipment from my old 2nd plot. I picked 2 Sweetcorn cobs and cut a large Lettuce for tea, along with 2 Pumpkins, (for Halloween), before calling it a day. As I am writing this post the rain is hammering down yet again, but the next 2 days are supposed to be dry here. Hopefully I will be able to forge on with more digging etc tomorrow and hopefully for the rest of the week.

Progress On Central Bed Monday 15th October

Thursdays Top 10 Tryouts (Or Show Us Yer Tips 27)!!

1. Lutein is a hydroxy-carotenoid constituting the macular pigment of the human retina. Increasing lutein intake from foods could increase the density of this pigment and decrease the risk of developing macular degeneration. Yellow carrots are a novel food source that could increase lutein consumption. (N.L.M.)

2. At the moment this coming September is expected to bring some good weather in U.K., but if you intend to sow Broad beans, Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Peas, Endive or Spring Cabbages it might be advisable to give them some protection from the elements.

3. This may be time consuming but its money saving. Those lengths of rope with 3 or 4 strands can be unraveled and cut to various lengths to give you a multitude of plant ties for the price of 1.

4. If you intend to grow Alpine plants remember the following tips. Most Alpines must have free draining soil. Moisture retention is necessary so add gravel or similar around the plants. Only water around the plants not over them. Keep them weed free and protect them if cold weather is expected, especially from frost.

5. Standing around in your shed waiting for the latest rain shower to pass over? Why not make a start cleaning some of those plant pots and trays, ready for their later use.

6. To attract beneficial predators  into your garden or plot, try dissolving a yeast based spread? with water, then spray it around your garden/plot. Check the other ingredients of the spread before using.

7. Planting shrubs in Autumn should give them a head start before the soil temperatures start to cool down. Try some of the following if you have the space available. Variegated Holly, Garnet tree, Firethorn, Orange dogwood.

8.Certain plants are better than others for planting on clay soils. Try some of the following. Ferns, Coreopsis, Potentilla, Virburnum.

9. Do we suffer from mosquitoes in U.K.? 3 plants that repel them are Marigolds, Catnip and Rosemary.

10.  A link to The National Wildflower Centre (Liverpool U.K.) >>>>CLICK HERE