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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
Saturday:
Yes Potato planting time.
These 1st early Pentland Javelin & Foremost are ready to go in, they have been 'chitting' since Jan and now the weather is better the soil is ready too.
As previous years, I dug a trench, put lots of well rotted manure in the bottom, back filled slightly and watered well. Then placed a potato every 12" along the trench, then raked the soil back over.
So 6 rows now done , 3 of each. I have Charlotte still to put in and 2 lots of Mains yet to put in.
Sunday:
I finished digging over this patch, I think the main Potatoes will have to go here as I have them 'chitting' at home.
I noticed the Apple trees have buds, almost flowers now, we are excited and hope to have lots of Cox's Apples this year.
Also the Damson tree, now in its 3rd year, is full of blossom we cant wait to see the fruit it bears, as last year we only got 1or 2 fruits.
The next really big job is sorting out the front of our plot, needs a new fence, since the old one blew down in a recent storm! A new gate & a hard standing area for the car too. So we have been clearing and measuring for the new fence, so watch this space.
But at least the potatoes are now labelled.
I always print & laminate labels and use them as sack labels for when in storage.
So a busy weekend, Jo did some digging & weeding and planted some Runner Beans into cells, as she prepared the bed and added plenty of muck ready for them.
I put a few posts in ready for the new fence, that I have now measured for and have the timber ready.
Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo
Jo got busy in the greenhouse planting 3 different lots of Peas, some in halved toilet roll tubes and some in cell trays.
On our arrival we noticed the Damson has lots of blossom on it already, only last week it was in bud.
The strawberries Jo planted out last week have taken and look healthy.
The Garlic I planted also has taken and put more growth on.
I made a new planter for the Strawberries in the fruit cage, so Jo got more new stock plants in, these are a late variety.
More Strawberries in the fruit cage, same as the ones in the new planter.
The Rhubarb is getting bigger, might be harvesting a few stalks soon, maybe for a crumble or wine?
Was a lovely sunny sunny day, a bit windy at times, but we got lots done.
I cleared the front of our plot, as it needs a new fence and parking bay for car, found a few pallets that were a bit rotten so put them on the bonfire with the weeds, they burnt a treat!
Anyway after 5 hours we were shattered, despite having a coffee break and lunch, all the hard work was worth it.
We noticed that the Frog spawn in the pond had changed, from black dots to a comma shape, so wont be long before we get Tadpoles.
No sign of the guarding Frogs either.
Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo
First job of the day was to put in the Garlic, as its ready to plant.
As they are starting to grow the 3rd leaf, its better to get them in.
6" apart in rows, 12" between each row.
Jo planted 2 lots of Strawberry plants now that the beds have been replenished with manure & the weeds removed. We bought new plants, early, mid & late varieties to give us a longer crop, May to October.
Jo started to restock the herb bed too, she sunk a long trough (along the left side) and put mint in it.
Using a pot or trough this way prevents the mint from spreading & taking over the bed!
Chives, Marjoram & Hisop were also planted.
We are so excited, we have frog spawn in our pond, we spotted at least 2 Frogs guarding it.
We added some oxygenating plants to help keep the water clear & fresh.
A marsh marigold was planted at the pond edge for the wildlife too.
The sky looked a bit grey & rain was forecast, so we tidied up and called it a day, at least we got a few things done.
Little and often is best, while the weather is so up and down!
We also noticed loads of blossom buds on the Damson tree, so lets hope we get more than 1 fruit this year.
Thanks for reading/returning. Ian & Jo
