Another lovely day today and lots done.

Welcome to my 2nd mid week Blog.
A super sunny day today, much warmer too and what do I do?

Have a bonfire.

A neighbor asked if I could cut back the Laylandii tree a bit more as it was casting a shadow over their plot.





So I managed to remove some of the larger branches that were causing the shadow, but in less than 2 weeks the clocks go forward and the sun will be higher in the sky, hopefully casting less of a shadow.

So while burning the Laylandii cuttings I thought I would burn some more weeds & roots. Because we will be needing this patch soon and might be the last bonfire until Autumn.












But burning all that green matter did make a lot of smoke, but at least its all done now.





Thanks for reading/returning, I look forward to your comments or Tweets.
Ian.

Lovely day on plot today, lots done too.

It was a super sunny day today got loads done.

Planted approx 70 Onion sets.

Did some weeding too.

And planned another flower bed.






Biggest job was to finish Fruit cage paths, first I dug out the soil to about 5" depth between the beds.












Then I put weed suppressing fabric down, double thick, the bricks hold it in place whilst I finish putting all the fabric down.

The large wooden box (on left) is actually the well, I renovated it a few years ago & made the wooden top so nobody could fall in, as its top was originally at ground level.






Next I top up with wood chippings to a depth of 2" to 3", when the chippings flatten down I will top up as needed.

Also managed to plant up 2nd Strawberry bed, we now have about 48 Strawberry plants on our Allotment. Hope to make loads of Jam again this year.

Thanks for reading/returning, I look forward to reading your comments or Tweets.
Ian.

Rotavator in use today

Before:
This patch is where I will be planting Main Crop 'CARA' Potatoes.
It has a top dressing of Manure, which I will incorporate with the:
JCB Rotavator/Cultivator









My 'Pride & Joy'
JCB Rotavator/Cultivator

Certainly speeds up turning over the soil, or incorporating manure etc.















Me using the JCB Rotavator/Cultivator













After:
The finished job. Ready for Potato planting.



Thanks for looking/returning, to this, my first mid-week Blog.
I look forward to your comments or Tweets.
Ian.

Lovely sunny day, time to get working.

Sorry I haven updated my blog as promised, but been busy on another project. But over the last 2 weeks I have been busy making raised beds for Strawberries in the fruit cage.

First I marked out the area and dug it over to remove roots & weeds. As Rhubarb had been growing there some rather large roots had to be removed.





I made the sides from 6" x 1" rough cut timber & the corner posts from 2" x 2" rough cut timber cut into 12" lengths. Treated with wood preserver (2 coats) for a long life. 'Rough Cut' timber is best because wood preserver soaks in better than 'planed' timber.
In between the beds I plan to dig out the soil to 5" deep and line with mulch fabric & fill with woodchips to make a path system. This will keep the weeds at bay.




Strawberries planted through 2 layers of weed suppressing fabric.

This raised bed only measures 30" x 48" and as you see contains 8 plants. You can even grow Strawberries in hanging baskets if short of space, try 'Tumbler' variety.




It was a lovely sunny day today after a frosty start and the birds were tweeting. It felt like spring was here already. Despite shady areas still a bit frozen on the surface.

Lots of crops have been started in the
greenhouse at home, so just waiting for the soil to warm up and threat of frost gone,
then all systems go for planting :)

Thanks for reading, I look forward to your comments or tweets.
Ian.

Bonfire in the Snow!

Despite an overnight snow shower, still things to do, transplanted 'Victoria' Rhubarb removed from fruit cage a few weeks ago into new bed.









Trimmed Laylandii tree and burnt branches and some other weeds etc on bonfire.













Earlier in the week managed to spread out Manure onto Potato & Greens patches.




























Only other job to do was to put 'Cara' main crop seed potatoes out to 'chit', as will be planting out in about 4-5 weeks (Easter). Close up photo is an early 'Charlotte' showing short green shoots after 3 weeks of 'chitting', hopefully planting out in a week or two.

Thanks for reading and please return weekly to check my blog updates. Ian

Where there's Muck, there's Veg

Massive Manure delivery this week.
Looks a huge pile, but will be spread out over plot over the next few weeks.








Starting today: Both Potato beds, Pea & Climbing Bean bed & all Fruit Bushes had a dressing too.

As we have Sandy soil its important to add soil improver such as Manure (Cow Muck) any local farmer will be glad to get rid of some of his. Horse Manure is also very good so check local stables too.
Ask your Allotment chairman/woman for phone numbers or look in Phone book.

Thanks for returning & reading, I look forward to any comments. Check each weekend for updates too. Thanks, Ian.

Rhubarb crowns moved

Not a lot done today, except moving of Rhubarb from fruit cage.
Because we need the space in the fruit cage, for more Strawberries. So I dug up the 'Victoria' Rhubarb crowns, for re-planting in a new raised bed to be constructed soon.







I was surprised at the size and depth of the roots, having not dug them up since planting in 2004. But we always get a good crop so really I should have expected it.









I read that it's good to store the crowns roots uppermost so that the frost (if any) can get to them.
It apparently does them good, we shall see.









The sliced Rhubarb root looks quite unlike anything else, so I took a closeup photo. It seems to have rings like a tree.

Thanks for returning and reading, look out for updates each weekend.