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More Stockbridge Arrow Rhubarb picked, 4lb this time, 1st lot picked (with much shorter stalks) was only 1lb 10oz.
We had some of this, a rhubarb crumble, after dinner, yummy it was too.
As the title states, got the Picasso main crop spuds in, 4 rows with 8 in each 15" apart.
Just need to put Cara mains in soon too, planted the same way.
We've had 2-3 days of rain & 2 days of storm Hannah, luckily little damage, but the early spuds have grown more, due to the rain, so had to earth up both lots, Pentland Javelin & Foremost.
So while I was busy doing the spuds and earthing up, Jo got busy in the greenhouse and planted 3 Tomatoes....
....and 2 Cucumbers.
The upturned bottles has a drip feeder attached so we just fill them with water and it trickles into the soil, close to the roots.
Jo also planted more Beetroot alongside the Peas we put in last week.
The Peas survived the storm and are looking good.
Jo planted a row of Runner Beans as the ground had been prepared earlier, with plenty of well rotted manure.
A triple row of Cosmos was planted, alongside the fruit cage.
In the fruit cage both Red & Blackcurrants are showing signs of a good crop, the
Raspberries now need tying up, as they prefer it that way.
Both The Apple & Damson also showing signs of fruit, although not in the cage.
Today was better after the storm, even the sun came out around mid-day, so I did a bit of digging at the lane end.
Last time I said 'see soon whats going here' and its taking shape, all I will say is, it will need a lot of soil shifted, needs 27 paving slabs, a new fence and gate too!
Also while leaving we saw a few Gooseberries forming on the bush, we saw a smallish Frog in the pond too, probably one from last year, nowhere near the size of the Frog who guarded the frog spawn earlier in the year.
Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo
First the Rhubarb:
'Stockbridge Arrow' it's growing well, all the Sun we have had doing its good, we pulled a few stalks earlier in the week and stewed them.
Quite a few of the spuds have broken through, so I earthed them up, Foremost, Pentland Javelin & even Charlotte.
The far end of this patch was covered in tarpaulin, so we removed the cover & Jo dug it over ready for the Main crop Potatoes.
Jo planted some more Beetroot in this raised bed.
Alongside Garlic, Spinach, Spring Onions & more Beetroot.
Most of my time was taken up clearing this area, ready for a new fence and...but check back to see what else appears here.
I managed to fill 2 wheelbarrows with Nettle, Ground Elder and many other roots, to burn.
I also set up a pea frame, with bamboo canes & netting, I put cardboad down the middle as its hard to weed when the Peas are fully grown.
Jo planted the Peas, 3 types, that were started off at home in toilet roll tubes and cell trays.
We put some netting over the Peas to stop the birds, especially Pigeons pecking them out!
So yes, 6 hours!
But we got lots done, luckily where I was busy most it was in the shade.
On such a hot day, we had a bonfire! But had lots of weeds and rotten wood to burn.
We packed a pic-nic with a flask of coffee for lunch again, a good time for a sit down too.
Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo.
Yes planting time.
Jo started off a tray of Cauliflowers & some more Broad Beans at home. I have an egg tray full of 'chitted' spuds ready to go in.
Charlotte 2nd early potatoes, 'chitted' in a light but cool room by the window, this produces 1" (2.5cm) dark stubby shoots, which are perfect and ready for planting.
I dug a trench about 8" (20cm) deep, added some well rotted manure and watered well, I then placed the chitted spuds along the bottom of the trench 12" (30cm) apart, then raked back the soil dug out and ridged up.
While I was busy, Jo prepared this bed by adding some lime and digging it in well then she planted the Califlowers about 12" (30cm) apart and covered with netting so the birds cant peck them out!
Jo also added some more Broad Beans to this patch where there are some that we planted last winter.
So thats 3 rows of Charlotte potatoes, 10 in each, lets see how many we get in mid June ?
While I was clearing some wood I found this Moth, its wings have a wood pattern, isn't nature clever and wonderful.
It was a lovely day, still a bit chilly, but lovely when the sun came out from behind the clouds.
We spent 5 hours on our plot today, had a coffee break & lunch there, but got loads done. Even had a bonfire to burn all the weeds and rotten wood, the ash will be dug back into the soil.
Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo
A quick walk around our plot:
The Garlic doing well
The Onions, red & white, we put in last year and over wintered, are looking good.
Most of the Peas Jo started off in the greenhouse have come through, I watered them well as it's rather warm in there.
The Gooseberry bush is in full leaf and buds, we expect a good crop this year.
The apples also have lots of buds, so blossom to follow soon.
But the main job of the day was to erect a new fence at the front of our plot, just a simple frame & mesh construction suspended between fence posts, I think it looks great.
Despite the rather grey looking sky it was a lovely day, a chilly morning but the sun came out in the afternoon.
Oh & we have Tadpoles in our pond :)
Thanks for reading & returning Ian & Jo
