Dual Cabbage Ways

Having decided to take a weeks holiday break, I spuddled off to North Wales and spent last week in a holiday cottage near Dolgellau, Gwenedd, in the Snowdonia National Park. Last Thursday I drove to Anglesey, visiting the Plascadnant hidden gardens before travelling on to Beaumaris. I was well impressed by the various gardens within Plascadnant, from the Chelsea flower show winning vegetable garden to the forest and victorian walled garden. Wildlife was in abundance including Red squirrels and Yellow wagtails. After a week of sightseeing I drove back to Somerset on Saturday via Shrewsbury in torrential rain, passing close by to Percy Throwers garden centre, (remember Percy, of Gardeners World fame, 1950's to 1980's and his catchphrase "the answer lies in the soil"). Joining the M5 motorway near Worcester the rain was still heavy and I was wondering what condition my plots would be in, on my return. I'd left Dolgellau at 7 a.m. expecting to get home early enough to put in an afternoons work down my plots. Just north of Gloucester all 3 lanes of the motorway were gridlocked and remained so all the way to Bridgwater in Somerset. The flashing speed warning lights on the motorway were indicating 40 or 50. I don't know if that was the actual speed limit or the amount of cars per hour being allowed to enter Devon and Cornwall. Anyway a typical Bank holiday driving experience arriving home at 1-30 p.m.. Green Party take note on carbon footprints. Emmets try Blackpool.

First Pick of Broad Beans (Aquadulce) (26/5/14)

I managed to get down to my plots by about 3 p.m. as the rain continued. My neighboring plot holder Jason had watered the plants in my poly tunnel whilst I had been away so many thanks to him. I'd expected the grass areas of the plots to have taken a break last weekend especially the banks by the drainage ditch but no such luck so some strimming and mowing is planned for this week. There was a general lack of weeds so no problem there, not surprising though as the temperatures were down and I could actually see my breath in the air by 4 p.m. The cool weather vegetables were looking in good condition with the Potato plants looking especially healthy. With some rain showers again on Sunday morning it was half a day down the plots in the afternoon which was warm and sunny. A couple of my Cucumbers which were planted into one of my raised beds had been devoured by either slugs or snails leaving 7 out of 9 intact. I removed my remaining Leek plants, which were going to seed, from their bed on N1 Plot turning and leveling the soil as I progressed. 2 plants were left in the ground to go to seed. The seeds will be harvested for use later. I headed off to my plots at about 10 a.m. on Monday morning. The overcast sky cleared by about midday giving way to a sunny but muggy afternoon. 2 rows of Marrows (Long green trailing) were planted out into the bed where the Leeks were removed from on Sunday. After this task was completed I decided to remove the wooden edging around the 4 smaller beds on N2 Plot, taking out the central grass paths and combining the 4 beds into 2 larger ones. After the wood chippings and the weed membrane underneath it had been removed I began to dig over the soil beneath. Unfortunately the membrane had been put in place by the previous plot holder, on top of existing weeds, mainly Dandelions again. Digging over the area was a slow process as I removed the deep rooted Dandelions. By about 4-30 p.m. I had completed about 1/5th of the area to be cleared. There's always tomorrow. Well tomorrow (Tuesday) has come and gone with more progress being made combining the small beds on N2 Plot into 2 larger ones, finishing off with some grass mowing by late afternoon.

Turning the 4 Small Beds On N2 Plot Into 2 Larger Beds 27/5/14

Climbing French Beans (Cobra) Ready for Planting Out 27/5/14

Main Crop Potatoes (Desiree) Enjoying the Rainy Weather 27/5/14

Blackberry Bush Flowering N1 Plot L-Shape 27/5/14

Runner Beans & Lettuce N1 Plot 27/5/14

The following photographs were taken in the Hidden Gardens of Plascadnant Anglesey

What Bank Holiday Was That Then

Ever had a couple of months or so, when you can't catch up with anything but everything seems to be catching up with you. The recent erratic weather has at last settled down here and the past few days have been gloriously warm and sunny, allowing me to catch up with sowing and planting directly into the ground, rather than relying on cold frames and my poly tunnel. Up until a few days ago the poly tunnel was brimming with plant pots and seed trays, containing a variety of seedlings in various stages of development. Overall germination of most seeds has been good despite the fluctuating temperatures over the past few months. Most plot holders on our allotments have been delayed this year with ground preparation and in particular rotavating, due to the sticky ground conditions after the wet Winter, remember that!!

Roots Bed N1 Plot Carrots, Beetroot & Turnip So Far

 On N1 Plot (roots bed) several rows of Carrots (Flyaway), Beetroot (Boltardy) and Turnips (Purple top milan) were sown in April, germinating quickly and are off to a good start. Although some of the Carrots have been attacked by flea beetle, there is still a general absence of pests and aphids around, apart from garden snails which are again on the increase. Maybe the Song thrush will make a come back to devour them, I haven't seen or heard one, in these parts for many years now. Several rows of Cabbages have germinated within the past couple of days. Another later than normal sowing on N1 Plots' brassicas bed. Lots of fruit seems to be developing already, on all of my fruit bushes and trees, so hopefully a good fruit harvest is to come, again, this season. Rhubarb has been excellent so far this year, obviously helped by the wet Winter. One failure I have encountered so far this year is that several drills of Spring onions sown in 5 different areas of my plots have failed to germinate. I suppose there's a first time for everything. The 4th vegetable bed on N1 Plot now contains my Asparagus bed and several rows of main crop potatoes (Desiree) which are currently growing well. Having planted the majority of my main crop potatoes into No 2 bed on N2 Plot, some time ago, I had several tubers left over, so 3 more ranks were planted into the L-Shaped bed at the lower end of N1 Plot, along with the previously mentioned ones into bed 4. I spent yesterday planting out my Sweetcorn plants (Lark F1) into the main bed on N2 Plot, from seeds sown earlier and raised in my poly tunnel. Several rows of Peas, (Hurst greenshaft) Broad beans, (Aquadulce) Lettuce, (various mixed) 1 row of Leeks (Bulgarian giant) and seven wigwams for French climbing beans currently make up the remainder of this bed. 7 Climbing french bean plants (Cobra) were planted this afternoon to test out the cooler night time temperatures before the remainder of the plants are added into this bed later. Earlier this week I planted out Runner beans (Enorma and Scarlet Emperor) on N1 Plot along the top of their previously prepared trenches.
Alongside the Runner beans, 11 Marrows have been planted. The lower end of the L-shape will be taken up with squashes and pumpkins in between the potato ranks. Cucumbers, Black eyed beans, melons, tomatoes and several other seedlings still remain in my poly tunnel for protection from the current cooler night time temperatures.

Sweetcorn Peas Broad beans N2 Plot Main bed

 In 2009 when I built the shed at the lower end of N1 Plot, (from pallets), I also built and attached a bird box to the eastern side of it. This year a pair of Great tits has used it to rear their family in, with several chicks in there at the moment. Hopefully I will be able to get some photographs of them soon. 

Another failure to date was my earlier idea to use the raised beds at the lower end of N2 Plot as seed beds. Lettuce and Cabbages, sown into them in late March were devoured by slugs/snails, so a change of plan was to sow parsnips into one of the beds using the remaining beds to re-plant various "thinnings" later in the season. These will be surrounded by slug pellets which I don't use on open ground.

Main crop Potatoes N2 Plot Bed 2

These are Useful and Work Effectively

Marrows Planted Out This Week

Runner beans Planted Out

More Rainwater Containers Installed

Asparagus N1 Plot

Recent E-Petition Follow Up (Save Our Plots)

I recently received the following email with reference to the e-petition taking place to save our plots.

	Dear Rooko, The e-petition 'Tell Eric Pickles that allotments must not be sold off!' signed by you recently reached 18,821 signatures and a response has been made to it. As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response: An e-petition has been suggesting that the Department for Communities and Local Government is examining plans to remove council duties to provide allotments. This is completely untrue and has no basis in fact. In 2011, the Government compiled a list of statutory duties that councils must follow, but Ministers made very clear to Parliament there were no plans to change any of the duties on allotments (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110524/text/110524w0008.htm#1105257001663). This remains the case. Local authorities continue to have a specific responsibility for the management and provision of allotments in their area, ensuring those who want to start an allotment can do so. There are no plans to change this, and the e-petition’s claims are simply false. In January 2014, the Department published Allotment Disposal Guidance: Safeguards and alternatives (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allotment-disposal-guidance-safeguards-and-alternatives), replacing the previous guidance from 2002. The new guidance strengthens allotment protection, as the requirement for waiting lists to be taken into account must now be rigorously applied to all that council’s waiting lists, not just the waiting list for the site to be disposed of. This aims to ensure that poorly maintained sites are not used to justify disposal. The Government has introduced a range of measures to help communities who want land to grow fruit and vegetables. Through new community rights, local residents have increased opportunities to protect existing allotments from development and increase provision of green spaces. For example, in Thame, in Oxfordshire, their new neighbourhood plan will create an additional hectare of allotment land. Allotments have also been listed as assets of community value. As part of our commitment to supporting local community groups, the Department has also published a best practice guide for community groups wanting to find land to grow fruit and vegetables (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-for-food-growing-a-guide) and an additional guide on establishing community orchards and other spaces for food growing (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-orchards-a-how-to-guide). This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold. View the response to the e-petition Thanks, HM Government e-petitions http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/

Rooko's May Top 10 Tips & Tryouts

1. Mint plants will deter slugs. Why not grow mint in pots/containers which can be easily moved around your garden/plot to areas where slugs are prevalent. Keeping mint in containers will also stop it spreading far and wide, as it surely will if planted directly into the ground.

2. Seed sowing in May can consist of the following vegetables: (outdoors under covers) Cucumber, French beans, Runner beans, Sweetcorn. (outdoors) but be aware of late frosts: Brussels sprouts, Cabbage (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Red), Carrots, Cauliflower, Kale, Kohl-rabi, Lettuce, Peas Radishes, Rocket, Spring onions, Swede, Turnips. (indoors) Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chillies, French beans, Marrows, Peppers, Pumpkins, Runner beans, Squashes.

3.Many flower and vegetable gardeners grow Lavender. May is the time to trim these plants back. Cut off any old flower growth and trim back about 1 inch (2.5cm) of new growth too.

4. If you have rodents or rabbits causing problems in your garden try growing some Peppermint which should deter them.

5. Next year I will be undertaking the task of improving the texture of 2 vegetable beds which currently consist of heavy clay. If you suffer from untreated areas of heavy clay in your garden/plot, I hope the following tips will be useful. First check the clay for pH and have the results tested. Add 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5cm) of compost, manure or mushroom compost to the surface area and dig or rotorvate it in well. During the growing season add organic matter to the surface again, (mulches). Cover crops can be grown over the Winter period and worked into the clay in the following Spring. This process may have to be repeated over several years before a good soil structure is obtained.
I have heard conflicting advice about adding sand to heavy clay in order to lighten it. I would appreciate any comments from anyone who has experience of using this method.

6. Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense), can be a real pain when it spreads into your garden or plot and is difficult to get rid of. Despite this, it is a herb with many virtues. I thought this link interesting and well worth reading. - Click Here.

 7. Black ant infestations can be dealt with by using sprays made from Tomato or Rhubarb foliage. Remember the use of homemade sprays (U.K.) may be unlawful.

8. Slugs and snails are becoming a nuisance on and around my plots due to the continuing rainy weather. One solution, (I used it last year successfully), is to spread oatmeal around areas frequented by slugs & snails. This method is especially effective on dry areas of ground, for example inside greenhouses/poly tunnels etc. Cheaper than slug pellets too.

9. Tools for Schools
Tools Shed is a garden tool recycling project which collects old tools for refurbishment by local prisons. The spruced up tools are then given free to schools and community groups.

The scheme is operated by the Conservation Foundation and HM Prisons. Click here to find out more.

10. Check your seedlings growth regularly if they are growing in warm conditions, (for example under propagators), before they get "leggy". Moving them into cooler conditions will slow down growth.

 

Is It April Already (Time for a Video Then)

With Spring seeming to be flying by and daily visits to my plots since my post of  22nd March, I thought it was about time to start another blog post before I forget how. Busy is an understatement since the middle of last month and my plots are still not fully prepared for sowing and planting yet. The weather here has been reasonable lately with plenty of fine sunny days, ideal for gardening. Most of the other allotment blogs I have read lately are brimming with the normal Spring planting and sowing details, putting me to shame with their pictures of germinating seeds, well prepared vegetable and flower beds and other allotment projects in various stages of progress. This season and due to the wet Winter I decided to make sure that both my plots had their ground re-cultivated before any other tasks, including sowing and planting took place. So far I have completed the cultivation and feeding of most of N1 Plot and with only 2 half beds on N2 Plot to complete, I should be back on track by the end of this week, although there will be some delay in "turning over" parts of two of the lower reaches of the beds on N2 Plot, which are, at the moment, still too wet to work on.

Number 1 Bed N2 Plot Broad beans & Peas (14/April/14)

 In fact as seed sowing goes I actually have had time to sow various seeds, mainly into pots and trays, during those rainy spells of weather when outdoor working was out of the question. To date I have 50 Runner bean plants (Enorma & Scarlet emperor), 20 Tomato plants (Gardeners delight), 34 Sweetcorn plants (Lark), several Squashes and Cucumbers growing well so far. Outside the Broad beans (Aquadulche), are growing well with 6 rows of Peas (Hurst greenshaft), coming along nicely, apart from 1 row which is looking a bit sparse at the moment. 2 rows of Carrots + 1 row of Beetroot (Golden globe) have yet to germinate. I expect the Beetroot will take a while to do so as they were only sown earlier this afternoon before I left the plot.

Since the beginning of this week I have been lifting and turning the clay soil on number 2 bed of Plot 2, breaking the clay down and forking in horse manure which was spread over the bed during last Autumn. The bed has been extended by about a meter and a half at the top (northern) end by digging out the turf from part of the parking area which was a tad too large. To date 50% of this bed is fully cultivated but today I reached the area lower down the sloping bed, towards the south which is still wet from Winter flooding, so tomorrow I will find out if it has dried out enough to cultivate. This bed is to be used for Potato planting this season, so I might just make the traditional potato planting weekend of a late Easter, good planning that, (not). To give you some idea just how damp some of the ground still is, last week while I was forking over another vegetable bed on N2 Plot I unearthed 2 more Horse leeches. They were in the soil approximately 20 meters from the nearest water source, which is the drainage ditch at the, lower southern end of my plots.


Many different wild life species have been making appearances lately due to the welcome sunnier weather. The drainage ditch at the southern end of my plots is currently teaming with tadpoles. Hopefully they will all change into frogs, helping to keep down the pests that attack my veggies later in the year. Many Ladybirds have been out and about for some time now, another voracious consumer of aphids and other pests. Lots of various types of Bumble bees have been gathering pollen on and around my plots and compared with last year I have already seen several Honey bees flying around. At least half a dozen different types of Butterflies have also been sighted. Despite the extremely wet Winter weather there seems to be an absence of slugs on my plots at the moment, which is unusual. Offsetting that, Garden snails seem to be out and about in ever increasing numbers. Another surprising none event whilst I have been digging and forking over my vegetable beds, is the lack of the more common garden birds coming down to soil level hunting for worms and insects. In fact to date none have bothered, even during the warmer sunnier days of late. Perhaps they are still busy constructing their nests at the moment.

Tadpoles in the Drainage Ditch (14/April/14)

 Well I started writing this post over a week ago, since then Easter weekend has come and gone. Since last week 12 ranks of Potatoes have been planted into bed 2 of N2 Plot with another 5 ranks to be fitted into the same bed. Most beds are now ready for sowing and planting but for the past 2 days some heavy rain showers have halted work down the plots. Along with helping one of my family members move house over last weekend progress down the plots has been minimal. My first 2 rows of carrots have germinated along with the golden globe beetroot sown on N1 Plot and the Spring onions are just showing through in one of my raised beds at the lower end of N2 Plot. Hopefully lots more seed sowing will be completed this week. Another reason for not publishing this post is the lack of photographs I have taken recently, due to my camera playing up again. Text posts are fine but a picture speaks a thousand words in most cases.

Remember, when you are gardening take 2 steps forwards and 1 step back, because the weeds will always come up behind you!!

There's Always Tomorrow!! 

E- Petition (save our plots)

Tell Eric Pickles that allotments MUST NOT be sold off

E-PETITION LINK

(Click on the above link to go to the petition signing page)

Rooko's April Top 10 Tryouts & Tips

1. My local weather forecast this evening was of wind and rain showers over this coming weekend. Also mentioning sub-tropical conditions prior to some frosty conditions next week. Make sure you have got some cloches or other protective coverings handy, to protect those delicate seedlings that may already be growing on your plot or in your garden. Late frosts can still be a problem well into May.

2. If you have a garden pond containing various aquatic plants, April is the time to divide water lilies and other plants. Re-plant the divided plants into pots of aquatic compost.

3. April is a good time to start planting Summer flowering bulbs. Beware of planting them into wet ground or add sharp sand to the planting area if it is wet.

4. Start making up those home made sprays to combat aphids, more of which will start to appear as the weather becomes, (hopefully warmer). Or alternatively plant some of the following that should deter aphids, Onions, Radish, Petunias, Garlic, Coriander, Chives, Anise.

5. A good time to sow vegetable seeds, after the ground has been prepared, is during showery or misty weather. "Watering in" the seeds should then not be necessary.

6. Strawberry plants being grown outside can be covered with cloches to encourage earlier fruiting.

7. FREE TOMATO SEEDS (from Heinz Ketchup U.K.). You have to "like" their facebook page.
CLICK HERE (to go to the linking page).

8. Go to beneva.com for your monthly chance to win some roses (U.S. and Canada).
CLICK HERE to go to their page.

9. New lawns can be sown in April and established lawns will benefit from having any bare patches re-seeded this month.

10.

SOWING/PLANTING IN APRIL

1. Sow the following: Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Kale, Kohl-Rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Rocket, Spinach. Potatoes, Onion and shallot sets.
2.  Artichokes and Asparagus can be planted.
3. Outdoor cucumbers & tomatoes can be sown & kept in the warm.
4. Plant French Beans, Lettuce & Sweetcorn under cloches.
5.  This is a good time to plant Strawberries.

OTHER JOBS IN APRIL

1. Keep an eye on the weather as ground frost is still likely this month.
2. Keep areas of ground warmer with fleece/polythene to aid later planting.
3. Weeds are starting to appear, so hoe them off before they set seed.
4. Now is the time to erect barriers around your carrots 2 to 3ft high to combat the dreaded Carrot fly. Alternatively cover your Carrots with fleece but ensure all edges are well covered with soil. Keep Carrots earthed up.
5. Plant Onions between rows of Carrots or other plants that might repel the Carrot fly.
6. Slugs & snails will be coming out now. Combat them by: Keep the soil hoed and loose, use beer traps, spread coarse grit, pine needles, straw, sawdust around your plants.