Easter Weekend, still in isolation due to Covid-19

Time to plant out the new Asparagus that Kings delivered earlier than expected, but at least we had the bed prepared with sifted/manured soil.

Looks great now its done. 

Thanks to Jo's hard work.

So while Jo was busy, I satrted planting the main crop spuds 'Picasso'

In a trench about 6-8" deep watered well and each seed potato placed 15" apart in the bottom of the trench, then back filled.

So thats 30 Picasso planted, this patch will only take 3 more rows, which I plan to fill next weekend with 'Maris Piper'

Jo planted out 2 types of Broad Beans, the canes are to support them as they grow.

The Leeks still look good, we had some rain so hope it helped to swell them more.

We have removed the fleece from the Califlowers and replaced with netting, as they grow we will put higher hoops in so they have plenty of room. 
We need to cover these as we get Pheasants & Pigeons that love tender young veg!

This new raised bed has been filled up with sifted soil and Jo has started planting Bee friendly flowers, as this is our wildlife corner, with a log pile too.

In the greenhouse Jo added more Tomatoes, the ones put in last time have grown already. 
They like the deep soil & heat in there.

The 1st harvest of Stockbridge Arrow Rhubarb, we will be having a crumble very soon!

The Victoria Rhubarb is coming along nicely, a later variety and sweeter.

So a really good few days, Fri/Sat/Sun and we got lots done.

I've been busy at the lane end, making a new fence & gate, so check back to see my progress.


Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

Another busy week isolating from Covid-19

Saturday: Potato planting time, as you can see they have 'chitted' well,  I started them back in February, so now is the time to start planting them.

So thats two rows of 'International Kidney' aka Jersey Royals & three rows of Charlotte 2nd early planted. 

I'll plant the Main crop spuds over the next few weeks to stagger harvesting.

Earlier in the week: I put new edging in along the fruit area and the next soil area, as the old edging had rotted away! 
It's made from 2nd hand decking so I put 3 coats of wood stain on, hopefully will last a bit longer.

While I was busy planting Spuds and doing D.I.Y. Jo got busy sowing seed in some raised beds, so we now have lots to come up. 

This raised bed has some that Jo sowed earlier and they have started coming up, salads etc.

Today (Sunday): Jo planted out some Tomatoes & a Cucumber in the Greenhouse, the up turned bottles are for watering, they have a spike with holes in screwed into the top, but now pushed into the soil, so gets the water to the roots.

Friday: Jo sowed some Parsnips & more Carrots, in this patch by my Carrot experiment, no sign of them yet, but as its now warmer hope it wont be much longer.

Thursday: I've been planning this for ages, a narrow path at the end of the large area wher this years spuds will be, it will protect the Apple tree roots and stop weeds coming up there too.

Sunday: Another D.I.Y job! Check my next blog to see what it is. 
The good thing is I made it from left over timber 

So a very productive week, I think we only stayed home one day!
But its the perfect way to isolate, we do see other folk on their plots, but they are so far away, there is no threat to our health.

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

A week of self isolating

But first, just look at the Stockbridge Arrow Rhubarb, a slightly later variety, won't be long now, maybe just a week or two before this years first Rhubarb Crumble. 

Anyway, back to this weeks CV isolation, I got busy making a new raised bed for Asparagus and a new Strawberry planter/box. 
See below for the finished area.

The good weather has helped the Apple Trees, they are covered in buds and the blossom is waiting to pop out. 


The Frog Spawn in the pond is still there, no sign of our Frogs though.

Jo dug up some Leeks so its Leek & Potato soup for lunch. 
Very nice it was too with home-made Cheese & Chive scones, Chives from the allotment.

The new Asparagus bed is partly filled, we returned today (Saturday) to top it up with manure & top soil, the Strawberry box is to the left, over 7ft long, 12" wide, 6"deep and I extended the patio by 3ft.

Even this Covid-19 virus can't keep us away from our Allotment a 10 min walk away from home, its counted as our once a day exercise and 5 hours isolation, just me & Jo!

Plus our neighbors a good 2 mtrs away over the fence. 

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo.

Self isolating on the plot

Trying an experiment with Carrot growing.

This round container was a rain barrel that sprung a leak at the bottom, so I cut the bottom off. 
I have sown Carrot seed in it onto sifted soil, in the hope the 24" height will stop root flies!

Jo got busy over the last few days, weeded this bed and sowed some Lettuce seed then cleared the Rhubarb patch behind & the border along the back.

This patch looks alot better after Rotovating it last weekend. 
The patio extension is finished, next a new raised bed to be installed for Asparagus arriving in May and a Strawberry box.

We both got busy on this patch and dug it over ready for our spring crops to go in, Peas, Beans. and anything else we can fit in.

We decided to plant more Potatoes 'King Edwards' so Jo has been busy clearing a space, I will mix in some manure on our next visit. 

Great news: In the pond we spotted loads of Frog spawn, Jo also spotted a few frogs mating the other day, so thats why.

During the clearing & weeding operation Jo dug up these Swedes, so we will have them with one of our meals soon.



Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo.

Rotovating our plot

Planning to get the first early Potatoes 'International Kidney' and 2nd early 'Charlotte' in end of this month so got busy preparing the ground.

Jo has been busy too, clearing & removing weeds from the raised beds, ready for spring sowing. 

This raised bed has: 
Spring Onions, 
Spinach, 
Lettuce. 


Also some bee friendly flowers.  

So this is the Potato patch I got my Rotovator out of the garage, cleaned it up, put fresh fuel in, cleaned the spark plug, a squirt of WD40 into the cylinder & it started 1st time.

Check out my YouTube video all about Rotovating the plot, link below
https://studio.youtube.com/video/uNhU7mjWzo4/edit 

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

St Davids Day/1st day of Spring on the plot

We arrived early today, Jo cleared this raised bed next to the greenhouse, found some Garlic with good roots, amongst the weeds so re-planted at the far end.

While Jo was busy, I carried on sorting the recently cleared patch, we are going to put in a new raised bed for Asparagus due in May, an extended patio & Strawberry box. 

More Rhubarb has broken through, this Stockbridge Arrow is a prolific producer of thick stalks.

All in all a good days work, we stopped for lunch, but still got loads done, shattered now!

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo

February update

Signs of life. 
The Stockbridge Arrow Rhubarb, the 1st leaf emerging from a bud. 
Also the Shallots & Elephant Garlic are looking good.

We've finished digging over this patch, where we had 2 Strawberry beds and an Asparagus patch, the Comfrey was here too, but was over run with ground elder & nettles, so had to be dug out! 
So keep checking back to see what we do with this area.

We harvested the last of the Kale tips, washed it in salt water (to remove any bugs) took out the stalks and chopped up ready for the freezer. It will be good for stir-fry's & to make Pesto. 
We gave the rest to our neighbor who has chickens, they will love it.

Got my spuds, so 'chitting' them. 
Charlotte, 2nd early. 
Picasso, main crop. 
Maris Piper, main crop. 
And some International Kidney aka Jersey Royals, 1st early.

Luckily our greenhouse survived both Ciera & Dennis storms. 
But sadly the fruit cage didn't, its now 11yrs since I built it, so it's comming down!

So all in all we've managed to get down in between the wind & rain, need to get the plot ready for spring planting. 

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo.