Sharing

Another week of extremely hot weather like most of the U.K. I've been unbelievably busy, both down the plots and domestically this week again. I've intended writing another blog post since Sunday last but again not enough hours in a day lately. One of the allotmenteers I follow on Google has had his allotment vandalized and when I saw the video of the damage done, I stopped moaning about the hot weather causing problems down my plots and decided to post the video here.

There It Was, Gone!!

Sunny and hot all week and still no sign of any rain, possibly for the next fortnight or so. The past few days have been far too hot for any manual work down the plots, such as digging or soil moving. Therefor as normal I decided to finish digging out the compost heap at the top of N2 Plot. I finally finished the task at about 4 p.m. this afternoon. About 2 tons of compost/soil mix is now stacked on top of plastic sheeting at the lower end of the plot, ready for future use. Much of the good quality compost has been added to the top surfaces of my recently built, raised beds, with the remainder barrowed and spread around the Potatoes on N2 Plot. About 50% of the Potato bed is well earthed up again. As the compost was removed it was checked over for things I would not add to a compost heap. I have 2 full dustbins of rubbish and vegetation, plus 1 barrow load of stones, plastic and metal (do they still manufacture 10 inch nails), to dispose of tomorrow. Another large container is almost full with vegetation which requires further decomposition, so this will be added to one of my compost bins on N1 Plot. Despite popular opinion, compost is the main-stay of any allotment.

Compost Heap There It Was Gone

Thing I Don't Add To A Compost Heap

More Items Removed From The Compost Heap

Over the past week harvesting and watering have been the 2 main priorities, trying to keep different fruits and vegetables correctly watered has been challenging due to the heavy clay drying out very rapidly. Most of the watering has been carried out during late evenings, hopefully giving the plants time to absorb the water before the heat of the following day. At the moment it is 9-30 p.m. and temperatures are still around 20 degrees C. here.

Even The Robust Raspberry Doesn't Like the Lack of Water

Yesterday I harvested another 6 Kg of Strawberries, probably the last flush. Lettuce is growing and being harvested in abundance and the first 4 Kg of Garden peas (Hurst greenshaft) were also picked yesterday. I lifted my first batch of Onions (sown from seed last October) a couple of days ago. They are currently drying out in my greenhouse. Due to their good quality and excessive size I am considering sowing overwintering onions, only, in future. The Red currants and Gooseberries harvested this morning have not been weighed yet. Attracted by the recent warm and sunny weather more bees and butterflies have been visiting the plots but I have still to get a sighting of a honeybee.

Potatoes Earthed Up With Compost/Soil

This Mornings Harvest

There's Always Tomorrow!!

22 - Love

Although I'm not a keen tennis fan its noticeable that Wimbledon hasn't had many mentions on the gardening blogs I've read recently. Since my last post I've been too busy to watch T.V. except for a few highlights at Wimbledon on an evening. After 2 weeks of scoffing Strawberries and ice-cream, after tea, (22 large punnets picked so far), the Wimbledon atmosphere was apparent, if not the tournament favorites. Anyway good luck to Andy Murray.

Deuce

Since my last post I've visited my plots fairly regularly, although last week, yesterday and today, has been spent supplying my builder with refreshments whilst he carried out the final stage of my front garden project. During breaks from the tea, coffee and bacon butty making I have been busy paying some attention to my back garden, which has been suffering from neglect for the past year or so. The borders have been tidied, weeds removed, shrubs and trees pruned, some fencing repaired and the oodles of top soil from the front garden project, spread evenly around the borders. The lawn has been re-edged and cut which just leaves one border to complete.

Front Garden Partially Finished (Mid-week Last Week)

 Down the plot things are growing steadily if not quickly, although some plants such as Runner beans, French beans, Kohl-rabi and Lettuce have speeded up their growth since the first reasonable amount of rain fell, last Thursday, for many weeks. Since my last post (apart from last Thursday and today) the weather has been hot dry and sunny throughout. Again watering has been required for most of the crops and the ground is still drying out quickly helped by recurring breezes. The weekend before last was to have seen me doing some more seed sowing but the whole weekend was too windy to do so. During the week I made more sowings of Lettuce Kohl-rabi and Cabbages. My Brussels sprouts were thinned out. 2 bunches of the thinnings were given away to 2 of my fellow plot holders for re-planting. 2 more water butts have had taps added to them before the next rain comes along. Construction of the final raised bed on N2 plot is underway and the last load of turf from my front garden has been re-stacked inside the framework of the final raised bed. The compost heap where the turf was rotting down on N2 Plot, (3 meters by 2 meters), is currently being cleared out, with the well rotted compost transferred to the compost heap on N1 Plot. Any unwanted vegetation or other unwanted items in the heap are being disposed of as each barrow load is sifted through. My intention when the heap is finally cleared out is to re-position my poly tunnel into the space. This will enable me to dig and clean out the final large bed, (more b****y Dandelions), on N2 Plot, where the poly tunnel is currently sited. Mental note here to re-draw the allotment plans!!

Tomatoes and Friend in My Greenhouse

Between My Sheds

Sweetcorn N1 Plot

Clearing Out Compost Heap N2 Plot

Final Raised Bed Constructed (Left of Picture)

Cucumbers Between Sweetcorn N2 Plot Planted Out From Poly Tunnel

  In my last post I mentioned that my Parsnips had failed to germinate this year. After the rain last Thursday, lo and behold, the Parsnips finally decided to seek daylight. Well patience is a virtue, as they were sown on the 13th of April. Lets see if the second sowing makes an appearance after the next rain shower. Not more Parsnips!!



There's always tomorrow!!

Rooko's July Top 10 Tryouts & Tips

1. If you are harvesting oodles of fruit this year, 1 use for it, is to puree it and freeze it for future use. Simmer the fruit until soft then add to a blender until smooth, sweeten to taste. Try it with iced cream or mix with yoghurts or mousses.

2. Don't neglect your herb plants during the Summer. Herbs will go to seed the same as other types of plants so pinch out the heads as soon as they appear, should stop the bitter taste of the herb as well.

3. The past couple of weeks have been generally hot and dry here in Somerset, causing extra watering of many plants. To conserve water, do your watering either early mornings or late evening to alleviate evaporation from the soils surface.

4. Plenty of weeds in your garden or plot?? Try spraying them with vinegar and save on expensive weed killers. Using vinegar as a weed killer may lower the pH of the soil slightly but this should only be temporary.

5. Many gardeners grow lots of flowers in small pots, perhaps arranged around the garden, patio or other spaces. Small pots tend to dry out more quickly than larger ones during hot weather. Why not consolidate the plants from the smaller pots into larger pots, creating new displays and cutting down on the extra time and effort of watering and feeding.

6. When budding gardeners take over a new allotment or garden one important factor that is forgotten is the required depth of top soil. Before reaching the, usually, compacted level of the sub-soil a depth of 1 foot (35cm) of top soil is a good starting point.

7. If you are lucky enough to be lifting Carrots this month, do this on dry wind free evenings, to cut down on any "Carrot Smells" attracting the dreaded Carrot flies.

8. Add chicken manure tea to your garden or plot. 1 part manure to 4 parts water. It is high in Nitrogen so take care not to burn any plants when watering with it. 

9. Potatoes are heavy feeders requiring, Potassium and Phosphorus. Add fertilizer after planting and a couple of times during the growing period.

10. A few more reminders for July:

SOWING/PLANTING IN JULY

1. Sow French Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Chinese Cabbage Spring Cabbage, Chicory, Kohl-rabi, Lettuce, Peas, Radish.

OTHER JOBS IN JULY

1. Watering is usually a major task during July.
2. Mulching may help to retain water in the soil but be on the lookout for slugs and other pests.
3. Keep weeds at bay with more hoeing.
4. Feed tomatoes and Onions.
5. Check Brassicas for caterpillars/eggs.
6. Water brassicas with a salt & water mix to keep caterpillars off them.

Spuddling Along

The Onions Have Liked This Years Weather Conditions (22/6/13)

 Most allotment holders will probably have heard the following phrase, possibly more than once, with reference to crops that are not developing as quickly as others are, "never mind they will soon catch up". Well with the unpredictable weather so far this year it's been a waste of time trying to second guess it, when it comes to the usual sowing and planting advice, weekly or monthly. Most of my crops are reasonable at the moment and for the past couple of weeks I decided to concentrate on some maintenance and landscaping jobs down my plots. This coming weekend it's back to some more seed sowing and after that I will be "chucking" things into the ground ad lib waiting for them to "catch up". It seems the reasonable thing to do, seeing as they will catch up anyway. Not a honey bee in sight yet, a distinct lack of rain, hot and cold temperatures and the crops are still looking good so whats the problem. Only 2 so far, my 4 rows of Parsnips have failed to germinate and my Cherry tree has shed most of its Cherries, so no Cherry and Parsnip soup this year, shame that.

Looks Like A Good Crop Of Apples To Come (22/6/13)

 So what have I achieved lately. After re-locating the shed on N2 Plot and repairing it, the final job of making it watertight is left to do, no rush there then, it probably won't rain until our next Bank holiday. Can't think why I put guttering up around the shed, positioned 4 water butts and added taps to 2 of them this afternoon. One wooden raised, and I mean raised, bed has been constructed and along with 2 large plastic rectangular containers, positioned in the area where the shed was. These "beds" have had turf loaded into them on top of which, sieved soil from the drainage bank has been added. Once the turf has broken down, more soil will be added and the beds used as seed beds later on. One more wooden bed is yet to be built which should see the area of ground where the shed was, fully utilized. Various hooks and shelves have been added inside the re-built shed using up some of the old timber I've collected over the past few years. A new potting table was constructed, from old timber, funny that, and fitted just below window level inside the shed. The table was hinged so that it lifts up to cover the windows, when it's not in use, as an added security measure. 2 trips this week, to my local re-cycling centre saw numerous items of unused timber, plastic, rubbish and various bits of vegetation that I don't add to the compost heap, disposed of. All in all a busy time.

Peas Almost Ready For Picking (22/6/13)

 On the vegetable growing side of things some watering has been done, mainly on an evening and with temperatures up to 47 degrees C in the poly tunnel on Wednesday a close eye has been kept on the veggies still growing in there. Thinning out my Swedes and Turnips took a couple of hours yesterday after which they were well watered to alleviate any stress to them. Weeding is being done as and when, with not too many weeds being apparent in general. A few Black fly have appeared on my Runner bean plants but they were hastily dispatched with 100% success, using a spray mix of water, washing up liquid and vegetable oil. Depending on how the seed sowing goes this coming weekend it's time the grass paths were strimmed and mowed as they have been neglected lately. My strimmer packed up a couple of weeks ago so I decided to buy a brush cutter from e-bay, due to the fair amount of grass areas I need to keep under control.

New Potting Bench In Place

Potting Bench In Upright Position To Protect The Windows 2 Old Broom Handles For Legs 1 At Each End Front

Shed Finally Organized (22/6/13)

Raised Beds Where Shed Was 1 More Bed To Go Into Place (Left) (22/6/13)

Grapes Just Developing (22/6/13)

Sweetcorn Growing Well (22/6/13)

Roll Out The Carrots (22/6/13)

Several Bees Were On This Plant When It Was Photographed, No Honey Bees Though (22/6/13)

There's Always Tomorrow!!

Nothing More To Say

What do you say after picking the first punnet of Strawberries of the season??

Scrumptious 15/June/2013

Shedloads All Round

With both of my plots almost fully planted and sown for a while now and most of the veggies and fruit growing well, it was time for another project to keep me off the street corners. The front garden project of removing the lawn, top soil, paving slabs and some of the sub-soil is finished and is now awaiting the next phase of construction. The soil and paving slabs have been transported to my allotments and are being re-used there.

First Harvest of the Year End of May

 Last Thursday I decided to re-position the shed on N2 plot. I had inherited the 10 feet x 6 feet shed along with the plot. The shed was old and badly situated close to the drainage ditch bank, on the lowest, dampest part of the plot which is susceptible to water logging & flooding at times. Most of the floor boards, several side panels & some of the vertical wooden supports were already rotted away but I decided that repairing the shed would be a far cheaper option than buying a new one of comparable size. I constructed supports for the shed base using some of the flag stones from my front garden project stacked one on top of the other. The final position of the shed would be a few feet away from my other shed on N1 Plot. The shed roof was in good water tight condition so I decided to remove the sides of the shed trying not to disturb and damage the roof and roofing felt. I propped up the roof with various pieces of timber and duly removed the door end and 1 side of the shed. Due mainly to the persistent stiff easterly breeze (not mentioned in the health and safety handbooks) it was apparent that the roof might have blown off its supports, so I had to cut the felt down its centre and take it down in 2 pieces. The roof was quite heavy and my thanks go to Dave, Jason, Alan and Jeremy, (4 of my fellow plot holders), for helping me lift the roof sections off and back on again. Before the sides and roof were re-assembled I constructed a floor using decking boards (seconds). The rotted upright supports were replaced with new battens, after which it wasn't too difficult to re-build the shed and replace some of the shorter, rotted side panels. By the end of the weekend the shed was up and on Monday the central part of the roof was re-felted and sealed with roof & gutter sealant. Tuesday was spent replacing some of the guttering and emptying the old water butts. Most of the water was used to water my Potatoes on N2 Plot. Supports were made using more paving slabs & some breeze blocks and 2 butts were positioned onto them. The intention is to have 4 or 5 interconnected butts alongside the window side of the shed, close to the veggie beds on N2 Plot. Other guttering & butts will be put in place on the drainage ditch side of the shed as time allows.

Old Shed on N2 Plot Being Dismantled

 The area where the shed was originally sited is approximately 15 feet x 25 feet and the intention with it, is to raise the soil level several inches, using some of the soil from my front garden. Several large raised beds will then be built to offset the dampness of the original ground level. The soil for the raised beds will come from the turf taken from my garden and from the pile of soil along the top of the drainage ditch bank which I dumped there whilst clearing the central bed on N2 Plot, over last Winter. The Dandelions and other weeds still growing in it are currently being cleared out as I dig out each barrow load.

Repairing the Shed Panels

More Repairs

Guttering Being Fitted

Almost Finished 11th June 2013

Here's a Money Saving Tip (Don't Buy Brackets)

Transferring Soil from the Drainage Ditch Bank & Removing Dandelion Roots

Where the Shed Was Raising the Soil Level Ready for Raised Beds

Although the majority of my fruit & veg are developing well and the glorious weather over the past couple of weeks has meant plenty of watering, mainly on an evening. The persistent cool easterly breeze continues, apart from 2 days, and I believe, along with the colder night time temperatures, it is affecting the development of some plants. My Cucumbers, Squashes and Runner beans don't seem to like the conditions. All of the "cold climate" crops are doing well, with the exception of 2 sowings of Parsnips which have totally failed to germinate this year. The lack of rainfall is causing the ground to dry out rapidly but on the up side the lack of annual weeds is a bonus. 

Potatoes Flowering N2 Plot 12/6/13

Strawberries Ripening 12/6/13

Cabbages Looking Good 12/6/13

There's Always Tomorrow!!