Another fine day for digging

 Jo & I decided to visit the plot today, so I carried on digging over this patch, where we have had a few bonfires, but grass had taken over in patches so had to dig it all out!

While I was busy, Jo carried on digging over this patch where the Comfrey and two Strawberry beds are. 
We plan to dig it all out and start again, as its never produced much. So keep checking back to see what we do here.

All that digging has made a pile of roots, as well as the grass, it's mainly Ground Elder & Nettle roots! 
So leaving it raised up on a pallet to dry out so we can burn it & return the ash to the soil.

But during our lunch break, I noticed one of our nest boxes that hasn't be visited for a while needed investigating. 
So I looked inside and found a Wasp Nest that had been abandoned, but what a structure and so clever of it, as its made of paper and so light.

So all in all a very productive day, a very satisfying feeling that we have made a good start on this years plans.

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

Monday plot working

We decided to come early, as storm conditions were imminent. 

So I did a bit more clearing of this patch, getting it ready for Potatoes to go in around Easter time. 
There are still a few weeds waiting to be burnt.

Jo got busy digging over this area where the Comfrey was, it needs totally clearing as nettles have also taken hold! 

This whole area will be dug over to remove as much of the perenial weeds & nettles! As we have plans for it, so watch this space.

Well the strong winds and rain arrived around lunchtime, so we only stayed about 3 hours, but glad we did as we got lots done.

We did visit yesterday (Sunday) inbetween the showers so only topped up compost bins with veg waste from home & to take some rubbish away.

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

1st Sunday of 2020

So many weeds, roots, grass clumps dug out and branches pruned, so its time for a bonfire! 

As our site is surrounded by farmland it doesn't cause any problems having bonfires & the ash gets dug back in. 

But at least I finished this patch at the end. 

All the roots dug out and now on the bonfire.

All in all a good few hours work, 10:30 to 3pm. 
Jo dug out more weeds too & saved a few Comfrey & Borage roots to re-plant later.

Thanks for reading/returning. Jo & Ian

First Blog of 2020

Happy New Year all. 

We said we would return, so we came down at about 10:30 after a bit of a lie-in. 

I dug over a bit more of this patch I started 2 days ago, will return Sunday to finish it.

So while I was busy, Jo pruned the Gooseberry bushes, by removing old wood & removing some inner branches to make a bowl shape, this helps airflow and lessens the risk of a disease taking hold.

Jo did the same pruning to the Black & Red Currants, so will help to give a bigger crop.

So after 3 hours we were a bit shattered, we were out until 2:30am at a new years party! 

But managed to harvest some Parsnips & Kale, for dinner.

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

Last Blog for 2019

 We haven't been down for a while to do any jobs, the weather has been so cold, wet and miserable, but today the sun came out and dare I say it, it was warm! 

So on Sunday I started to dig over this patch near the Apple trees & bug house. 
I continued today (Monday). 

Then on Monday (today) I moved to the other side and started to dig over this patch, which was over grown with clumps of grass that had taken hold! 

While I was busy, Jo cleared both Rhubarb beds and covered them with well rotted manure.

Jo also cleared some troublesome clumps of grass from this patch and dug out some self seeded plants and moved them to a safe area.

Jo trimmed the old wood from the Honeysuckle and cut it back a bit from the archway. 

We hope to take some from the top too, a good pruning encourages growth so we hope to see an abundance of flowers soon. 

Talking of pruning I did all the Apple trees, its best to do it between Nov & Feb when the tree is dormant. Removing a third from each branch to an outward facing bud, cutting out all branches that overlap to lessen rubbing, that leads to disease.

With all the digging the Robins were busy, they always seem to know when soil is being turned, they were very cheeky and came really close as I was clearing the weeds away! 

They pick off lots of bugs and a few worms too. 

While Jo was weeding this Herb bed, she found a hibernating Hedgehog in the corner, it had made a lovely nest amongst the weeds and grasses. As soon as we realised we left it well alone, to finish its hibernation.

So all in all, a good couple of days, Sunday & Monday. 

We hope to return on New Years Day, to contunue clearing, so we can get muck dug in.
Roll on 2020. Happy New Year to you all

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

Winter planting & even a harvest or two

Where the Picasso potatoes were dug from, we planted 3 Elephant Garlics & 2 Shallots, we netted them to protect from birds & squirrels!

Despite it being colder & wetter, we still managed to harvest this lot: Lettuce, Courgettes, Beans, Raspberries, Tomatoes and 3 Apples, a heritage variety 'Woodbrook Pippin' and they are massive!

So despite a wet start, it brightened up and we got busy clearing a few wig-wams away and storing the canes, wet end (the end in the soil) uppermost, so they dry out.

Thanks for reading/returning, Ian & Jo

Harvests & weeding time!

Such a lovely morning, so Jo & I decided to visit our plot today as Sunday was so wet! 

We harvested this lot while there.

I dug a few Picasso potatoes up, these will do a few meals over the next week or so.

I cleared around the Cara potatoes, there were plenty of weeds, but now looks a lot better & the Parsnips (on the left) now have more room to grow.

So while I was doing the Cara patch, Jo weeded around this patch where the Spinach, Kale and Cabbages are. Keeping the netting on has helped them to grow strong, no interference from birds!

Jo then weeded around the Leeks and they are looking really good & healthy.

Jo then weeded this patch where there is Pac-Choy, Lettuce & Kale, also still under netting, to keep the birds off. 
She picked the biggest Lettuce too!

So it was a good few hours and we got a lot done including the bumper harvest, as in 1st photo.

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo