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.

Seed Potatoes arrived

My seed Potatoes arrived yesterday.

So this morning went down to plot to start preparing patch for planting next month.

The area to the right is where the Main Crop potatoes will be planted, the patch beyond the archway where the Early & 2nd Early's will be planted.



These are 'Pentland Javelin' an early variety. Not grown these before but they have good disease resistance, so thought I would try them.

I am 'chitting' them in a light but cool room, old egg trays are ideal for this. In about 3 weeks, when short dark green shoots have appeared, they will be ready to be planted out.









These are 'Charlotte' a 2nd early variety, I have grown these before and really like the taste and texture, they make great new potatoes and also great cold in salads, their waxy flesh doesn't disintegrate when boiled.

All Early varieties should be planted 12" apart in rows, 24" between the rows.

I will be planting my 'Earlies' late Feb early March, when threat of Frost has gone and the soil is warming up. Watch this space.

I also received my Main Crop spuds 'Cara' but have stored them in a cold dark place, for about 3 weeks, then will be chitting them too. I have grown Cara before because they crop well and are disease resistant too.

Thanks for reading & returning, I look forward to reading your comments.

Making home-made Bird fat blocks

Here is all you need
to make bird fat blocks:
A much needed foodstuff
for foraging birds at this
time of the year.








Lard (500g)
Mixed seed, Sunflower seed & Peanuts (600g)
Add Mealworms if you want.
Various yoghurt, pasta sauce, cream pots etc.
String or Twine.
Some twigs.
Large sauce pan (preferably an old one).
Large mixing bowl.


Make a small hole in the base of each pot, cut twigs into lengths slightly wider than pot, diagonal measurement is ideal. Tie twig to end of string/twine and thread through hole.



















Melt Lard over heat in old sauce pan, once in liquid form, leave to cool a little. Whilst waiting it's an ideal time to prepare the pots.

When Lard is cooler but still liquid, poor into seed mix in mixing bowl, stir occasionally until the mixture starts to stiffen, takes about 20-30mins. It's best not to fill pots when lard is still liquid as it will leak out of hole in pot base.
















A good tip is to put your finger over the hole whilst you fill the pots up with the seed & lard mixture, then the liquid cant leak out as you fill. I have also refilled some square containers that contained bird cake that fit in those wire feeders.
Leave for a few hours (preferably overnight) in a cool place, then carefully press them out. If your mixture is firm enough they should slide out easily, if not sliding a knife around sides will help to release it.

Hang up anywhere suitable, a tree branch is ideal, but I have used old shelf brackets on an archway & on the corners of my fruit cage.

No sooner are they in place and the birds home in on them, a Robin had a nibble of this one but flew off before I could take a pic.
The twigs act as a stopper so the seed ball cannot slide of the string/twine and makes a handy perch for small birds.

Only Carrots to harvest today

Snow has gone and the thaw has now set in, ground not frozen anymore.











Only task to do today is to harvest some Carrots. Kept under fleece mainly to deter 'Carrot root fly' which we have problems with, mostly in warmer months though, but also good to keep the 'chill' off.








Looking good.


















Perfect for tonight's dinner.













Thanks for returning, look out for next weeks update.

Still Snow covered Allotment

No change since last visit, still snow covered and ground frozen hard.

Only task to do was to fill the bird feeders, which the birds do appreciate.

But theory about Rabbit visit was confirmed as another plot holder spotted a Rabbit or Hare running away earlier in the week.

Thanks for returning, a new update due next week.