tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29679615519934640612024-02-21T09:43:40.281+00:00My little plotIts all about getting dirty.
Hands that is.
Soil and seeds and goodbye weeds.
Welcome to the plot.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-55785082639665717062012-09-23T14:57:00.004+01:002012-09-23T14:57:34.591+01:00Common or Garden?Take a peek at the following list.<br />
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Jasminum nudiflorum<br />
Ligustrum vulgare<br />
Hydrangea macrophylla<br />
Fucshia hybrida<br />
Sempervivum<br />
Hebe<br />
Rosa<br />
Aquilegia vulgaris<br />
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Beginning to see a pattern? If you grow these at home, as many do, are you taking an easy option,growing them for personal/emotive reasons ore even just because they came up in the garden and looked pretty so you kept them?<br />
Chances are you can tick at least one of the above if not more.<br />
There are certain reliable,die hard plants which are spread around by cuttings,or seedlings or divisions to friends, family, neighbours and plant stands at school fund raisers. Common maybe to the point of being weeds but we tolerate,cultivate and even cherish for various reasons.<br />
We have several in my garden and I'm sure the list could be longer (why not add yours?). Ours came via grandparents when we first moved in, via work colleagues, fellow mature students and by natures own hand but all have a place in my heart.<br />
What do your plants say about you? How does your garden reflect your history and family?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-64083034380871585222012-08-26T21:32:00.001+01:002012-08-26T21:32:37.749+01:00So, a picture paints a thousand words?I've been letting my blogging slip, mainly because I sometimes can't think of what I want to write if anything. Writer's block maybe.<br />
Anyway, I have been happily snapping away with my handy Nikon camera. I may find myself posting picture only posts if I can't fulfil the written requirement. One person I follow posts a Wordless Wednesday and that works very well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS6lXaEiYDRl0f8b6vjdcsaHiZ7EDWP0fcr6PDxkoweGwq63HP2Wcyb11HT5wxu2XxtpmYDEttOoZFmlBSQU-H8891_YnkkmaZpMa5w4daBOgvBPdXXdpx1tZG71jTyS-Z02f-yTsKIWZ/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS6lXaEiYDRl0f8b6vjdcsaHiZ7EDWP0fcr6PDxkoweGwq63HP2Wcyb11HT5wxu2XxtpmYDEttOoZFmlBSQU-H8891_YnkkmaZpMa5w4daBOgvBPdXXdpx1tZG71jTyS-Z02f-yTsKIWZ/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wildlife at the plot and around the site.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxD9lV4tSWQhXeaTIctHEI_GEDlpwuDToDnir9vCkRxd9yf8JoSnHkG-8wpWcRzytSxaFkjlDBUDv_Ud3PcFyJFQ4xC9i7HBtOxuj8p5U-6Ms1l-fYRCRO0zQnpAUXy0c6B6pa7fCTeJg/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxD9lV4tSWQhXeaTIctHEI_GEDlpwuDToDnir9vCkRxd9yf8JoSnHkG-8wpWcRzytSxaFkjlDBUDv_Ud3PcFyJFQ4xC9i7HBtOxuj8p5U-6Ms1l-fYRCRO0zQnpAUXy0c6B6pa7fCTeJg/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdWBMfUB-uEf1M9gcg85LYvIhY3Wvc_1lfFjq06Myb1pvbsSaRF2F69G4jhxgvuF1aG9EghHkMaLLOnieyKbc7O4_Llmer5_sG6tgYEl9KQtP-LbndVftSnefBnI5h4GSvWOLf_3rKiw4/s1600/DSCN1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdWBMfUB-uEf1M9gcg85LYvIhY3Wvc_1lfFjq06Myb1pvbsSaRF2F69G4jhxgvuF1aG9EghHkMaLLOnieyKbc7O4_Llmer5_sG6tgYEl9KQtP-LbndVftSnefBnI5h4GSvWOLf_3rKiw4/s320/DSCN1971.JPG" width="320" /></a> The tall plants in the pond are Bulrushes (Typha latifolia)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk1d7hRNq-S5gCmeNCebDfp9QwGssq4-GhAkx1RvC9BlfHEnuqY3bCh_QQOv4fJ4C2S2NiHfKcvQ8pREyNFRbp0U3eZMf1_SO2XdiH-b2aX0YMhxwTq3Ln2WY8YX9XxGhEPkYFVfaxt34/s1600/DSCN1976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk1d7hRNq-S5gCmeNCebDfp9QwGssq4-GhAkx1RvC9BlfHEnuqY3bCh_QQOv4fJ4C2S2NiHfKcvQ8pREyNFRbp0U3eZMf1_SO2XdiH-b2aX0YMhxwTq3Ln2WY8YX9XxGhEPkYFVfaxt34/s320/DSCN1976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPGvj9i-KBulbv9MtaYvM4pIaDgW5RFEYWz1Nx2Hjr6D02UzZAF1LOZYQrCZ6TUmPca-bDWzgc7ZFMepjZqrwWpNzvEBsQ8rhN9kU7F0NPkhp5Jhqx93J4B1KGorZf7MSfxsPillDdh0N/s1600/DSCN1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPGvj9i-KBulbv9MtaYvM4pIaDgW5RFEYWz1Nx2Hjr6D02UzZAF1LOZYQrCZ6TUmPca-bDWzgc7ZFMepjZqrwWpNzvEBsQ8rhN9kU7F0NPkhp5Jhqx93J4B1KGorZf7MSfxsPillDdh0N/s320/DSCN1999.JPG" width="320" /></a> My first proper Garlic crop.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fsKf2qHTbja8BqLDsEIEGV-E9YvJU3lW5qUviqaR8GsEqrCxHpIy02TgUZop9R11SSd3JQdGnux1yuwUx1NXB6scNkFoAh__mZZbJj9J7fbmwwyr1i04FANAgP_xaLjutdltQvQixLa4/s1600/DSCN2001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fsKf2qHTbja8BqLDsEIEGV-E9YvJU3lW5qUviqaR8GsEqrCxHpIy02TgUZop9R11SSd3JQdGnux1yuwUx1NXB6scNkFoAh__mZZbJj9J7fbmwwyr1i04FANAgP_xaLjutdltQvQixLa4/s320/DSCN2001.JPG" width="320" /></a> Over sized New Potato 'Rocket'. The heavy and continuous rain tis year has meant over grown tubers, many 'blown' or split due to rapid expansion that the skins cannot contain.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H9z_SoGW6OBEaz4OSXvmZ_Rp0Fd6vEq2UuLpOdc-CVE-9wrKn2W-NWfj3FGXfKOMJ8h7eG3gjPZhyFCbCLvKE4GeSBTT2V5rYgEdOikOH72kJxLPlBuPndFP8gklP-dr_ZSnq_Acx6fu/s1600/DSCN2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H9z_SoGW6OBEaz4OSXvmZ_Rp0Fd6vEq2UuLpOdc-CVE-9wrKn2W-NWfj3FGXfKOMJ8h7eG3gjPZhyFCbCLvKE4GeSBTT2V5rYgEdOikOH72kJxLPlBuPndFP8gklP-dr_ZSnq_Acx6fu/s320/DSCN2059.JPG" width="320" /></a> Water Hyacinth , same pond as Bulrushes.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXtPBv9awEmAgGs8ds-toDPDqyUr63NqxjkGm_02Y7bJNkdxWEgqKHm1RFOvkQeTB6O9nX843NPWoWtTujeZ28QBsl_UDNqqFQa6OiOU9MTWk4dwlAlDi7MKhT_C8ASvS5d0EnFVHy9Zs/s1600/IMAG0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXtPBv9awEmAgGs8ds-toDPDqyUr63NqxjkGm_02Y7bJNkdxWEgqKHm1RFOvkQeTB6O9nX843NPWoWtTujeZ28QBsl_UDNqqFQa6OiOU9MTWk4dwlAlDi7MKhT_C8ASvS5d0EnFVHy9Zs/s320/IMAG0106.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
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Some of my first soft fruits this season. Luckily they managed to last until I went home. Many of them don't. Fresh fruit at the plot is just too delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDW4mv3Ib3fkwj69IqiRucLq02sa1bFRy3IBqkuJL50FJtchw6pkDslDF-7CKDoZpZu6rONI0Myxp_WWei7cav5MhXQ9YCU6mr1wJZmTSrnSPPjQC0mc6gaziMmb7iKv0Buta050lJ7Jt/s1600/IMAG0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDW4mv3Ib3fkwj69IqiRucLq02sa1bFRy3IBqkuJL50FJtchw6pkDslDF-7CKDoZpZu6rONI0Myxp_WWei7cav5MhXQ9YCU6mr1wJZmTSrnSPPjQC0mc6gaziMmb7iKv0Buta050lJ7Jt/s320/IMAG0112.jpg" width="212" /></a> One of the split 'Rocket'potatoes. Larger than my own palm and split due to excessive water.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-53755294399056043942012-04-29T23:00:00.000+01:002012-04-29T23:00:23.329+01:00Yes, the weather IS seasonal!Ok, I know it's normal for us English to discuss the weather. In fact, it's the standard form of greeting when meeting a stranger an needing to fill an awkward silence. So, most of the time. But this week, this fortnight actually,I have seen and heard nothing else but weather comments. The internet is full to overflowing with pictures and stories of flooding. The Social media sites are brimming with sad tales of washed out day trips and ruined garden plans. Then there is the irony, the huge misunderstanding of a basic element of geology and the bandwagon that is The Drought.<br />
The Drought is an environmental situation. It is not a government initiative or action, it is a state of affairs brought about by an imbalance of water user demand and stored water availability.<br />
That's the point.<br />
Demand outstripping supply is not the means to a drought. The very thing that is causing the disgruntled statuses and the outraged tweets is the fact that it has been raining, heavy,hard thick rain, for most of the last 10 days and yet we still have a drought. The lack of education or information perhaps has resulted in the major misunderstanding yet most people understand that we can't and don't drink rain water. It must be filtered, cleaned (to some extent) and purified to a degree in many cases greater than bottled water before it hits our taps. But the start of the whole process comes with collecting and storing the rain water.<br />
Now, I'm no water expert. I don't know the finer details of purification or desalination but I am a gardener an I know about water tables and ground water sources.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrIPPJbRmEeDF2ljzh8MEkaVjfw_oj6mhFk-dDQkQ6tOlmiNevcNPIGo-tiPWKCNAVE8_GWfAXlZXVBKQNAatwi1Ve0_JG9FL-2vkX4v7clGFSHkRgOH4TPrCx74Ys9Qc8RT8sjE_onzE/s1600/c6d6c54ac6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrIPPJbRmEeDF2ljzh8MEkaVjfw_oj6mhFk-dDQkQ6tOlmiNevcNPIGo-tiPWKCNAVE8_GWfAXlZXVBKQNAatwi1Ve0_JG9FL-2vkX4v7clGFSHkRgOH4TPrCx74Ys9Qc8RT8sjE_onzE/s400/c6d6c54ac6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Rain soaks through the surface soil, runs off impermeable surfaces and through porous rock, finding its way to the lowest point where water can no longer travel. Often these places are underground but often they are man made or natural bowls. All that takes time. If the rain comes own or too long at too high a rate, the soil cannot soak it all up an becomes waterlogged, literally a log jam of water. That is why we get saturation, flooded plains and gardens, overflowing drains and road closures.<br />
If we are at drought point an the heavens open, there is a long delay before that water hits the reservoir.<br />
As all gardeners with water butts will confirm, once the butt is full, you can't fill it any further.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXqxNHs2_kDaDuJyw7alAg1XBMVUOQgmHxF0QrUBgoUcQjofDWgfxZbHOYfUAMlNGhxrHCd_IFz3Njq2k8FhfnCFtTuYzhuhrhtTrSqpuBc8dcxhfH96F2VUiMNLjJLWqImRs8gE8SjFw/s1600/IMG_9405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXqxNHs2_kDaDuJyw7alAg1XBMVUOQgmHxF0QrUBgoUcQjofDWgfxZbHOYfUAMlNGhxrHCd_IFz3Njq2k8FhfnCFtTuYzhuhrhtTrSqpuBc8dcxhfH96F2VUiMNLjJLWqImRs8gE8SjFw/s320/IMG_9405.JPG" width="320" /></a>So, I understand and sympathise with those who are seeing ducks floating past the letter box but until the floods hit the reservoir, it is still a drought situation. Famine or Feast, Drought or Flood it is the disparity between not enough and suddenly too much that causes the upset.<br />
So, what can we all do to avoid repetition?<br />
Building bigger reservoirs seems an obvious answer but that means land grabbing, compulsory land purchases and all sort of politically noxious moves. Expand existing ones?<br />
again, rife with problems but technically more feasible. What about speeding up or improving the supply line? Water companies have an unenviable reputation for wasting water through burst pipes. With the amount of mileage of plumbing they are responsible for though makes for a mind boggling challenge. As daunting as it is though, it must be improved, with the threat of massive financial penalties if necessary.<br />
Finally, back to the old campaign favourite, limit the demand by changing how we use water. I have long been a advocate of rain water collection for the garden but why not use it for other things. Grey water is water that has been used and recycled and which can be used to replace tap water when it is not required for human consumption, basically not use for food or drink.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqty9IpVduFYUIxBkfiqodILzKm_6Cloz1TSve3bcNl6canKO1fwWsJO6WCRQEPQ11X6zu_WFh5U_HCeaKIVI8riXR4w8CYlZfBhvjoybTOulzCEdnB261vdsMntQZAJqK8VYOIFsTCL-x/s1600/4541253128_525x396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqty9IpVduFYUIxBkfiqodILzKm_6Cloz1TSve3bcNl6canKO1fwWsJO6WCRQEPQ11X6zu_WFh5U_HCeaKIVI8riXR4w8CYlZfBhvjoybTOulzCEdnB261vdsMntQZAJqK8VYOIFsTCL-x/s320/4541253128_525x396.jpg" width="320" /></a>Washing machines have improve in the last few years but they are still major water consumers so why not use grey water or rain water? The water will be heated and detergents added so the purity isn't an issue.<br />
My wife, and many years before, my sisters , used to swear by rain water as a way to add softness to their hair and would heat up rain water to wash their hair in.For us in the south , it is due to the alkalinity of the local water made so by the natural lime stone landscape.<br />
Washing the car,dog or patio can be done with rain or grey water. In fact, if you are not cooking with it or drinking it, why use expensive and increasingly scarce tap water?<br />
By reducing the use we can hold more in the supply chain for longer. At least that way, next time we get a biblical style flood we won't feel so hard done by.<br />
And finally, as the best t.v. programmes always say, why are we constantly surprised by wet weather in spring or , equally, cold weather in winter ?<br />
Yes, we have had extremes but that's always been the case in the past. Previous records have been broken, that's how they became records. But dry springs and warm winters are more of a worry than admittedly heavy showers in April or a white out (near) Christmas.<br />
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The media loves a sensation but if we remember that we have always had rain in spring, in fact we could not garden or farm without it, then the amount may vary but it is still very much a natural, seasonal thing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-68102043568805329532012-04-09T19:31:00.000+01:002012-04-09T19:31:36.181+01:00It has to be said, the British people have the most inspiring amount of persistence and hope regarding the weather in the highly predictable United Kingdom.<br />
Every year, Spring comes along and confuses millions of people into believing it is actually it's brother, Summer.<br />
It's an alarming thing but the same thing happens every year, regardless of previous disasters. I was slightly bemused to see the number of semi-naked day trippers and swim suited children during the last two weeks of March. It's understandable, considering the recent hosepipe bans being imposed across parts of the country but April is still technically early for a lot of things in the garden. Whether you are sowing half hardy seed or planting out runner beans or peas, there is a reason for the terms 'half hardy' and 'hardening off'. It's very possible to get hard frosts as late as May.<br />
I've learnt over several decades just what I can get away with locally. I know I can sow my broad beans in October, my onions in November and my runner beans later than most for a later crop. I wouldn't try it further up country or further down towards the Lizard but I know MY locality. I make the mistake every year the same as ever, the one which involves me sowing/planting too much too early and then finding myself twiddling my thumbs and looking or spaces for those little patches of lettuce, tomato plants, all the stuff I suddenly can't do without. I forget that all the early stuff will be up and out early too, leaving me with room or the catch crops to go in.<br />
Catch crops are those that go in late or early and fill the gaps between other main crops. By starting my crops early, I get a short break before the autumn sowings start in earnest.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-6743385495398905702012-03-23T23:43:00.000+00:002012-03-23T23:43:21.207+00:00Get A Running Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W1exbaL2uXlC9PEpn15ZwtsE9Oq_nzi6ePjApcpNCzpzdUDdnt9uoIT0sLyUE4rOk4C4jjsDRLOOxJ5oZu2kh5W4PyoBDZYXbKJsCKQPHuvLBpRAhWuue0q3PvyxpMHT7BS-QWgwJMpi/s1600/beans8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W1exbaL2uXlC9PEpn15ZwtsE9Oq_nzi6ePjApcpNCzpzdUDdnt9uoIT0sLyUE4rOk4C4jjsDRLOOxJ5oZu2kh5W4PyoBDZYXbKJsCKQPHuvLBpRAhWuue0q3PvyxpMHT7BS-QWgwJMpi/s400/beans8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I know we all say it every year but this year will be stringless. No more tough pods or chewy beans.<br />
I know several readers have problems with runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus), being stringy,being small or just not being there when they should.<br />
Let's go through the basics then:<br />
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The seed.<br />
These should be sound but not necessarily fresh. Beans, like all pulses, can be dried an preserve for years without deteriorating. The essential food to get them started is stored inside the shell.Don't worry if they look shiny and wrinkle. They are fine as long as they are not damaged or have holes in them from weevils.<br />
Moisture is the trigger that brings them back to vibrant life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1aoIXm9l-ZNEhHou6TYRE26dLUMPpKDGGEPRGYUJEP-WrMYyzYIPB9hyphenhyphenOlkLvQDAEO0bW8NsKPQwSmflsOLt0yjw321Z-K7zm8YSvJFQBpxXDdKbqOfC69EucokracKhczeEuZsBITaJ/s1600/bean1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1aoIXm9l-ZNEhHou6TYRE26dLUMPpKDGGEPRGYUJEP-WrMYyzYIPB9hyphenhyphenOlkLvQDAEO0bW8NsKPQwSmflsOLt0yjw321Z-K7zm8YSvJFQBpxXDdKbqOfC69EucokracKhczeEuZsBITaJ/s320/bean1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Varieties make a difference. I've grown both white and re flowered types with no discernible difference in results. Some however swear by one or the other. There are varieties which have been selected over several decades to produce longer, thinner, more tender or less stringy bean pods. Some can produce earlier crops and many produce dwarf plants, making container growing easier.<br />
I do not recommend soaking seeds before sowing or dusting with any sort of compound. The germination rate is pretty high without any help and soaking has been known to contribute to <a href="http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf/french-and-runner-bean-problems-151780.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Halo Disease</a>.<br />
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The soil.<br />
Here's the important bit.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyLufpSnlfdu7gsNZJ-AAlFPNLE6Aj6H8msrwyVLE_mS_5Tv4nkText7mJWkmX19DWtTIyjyWFGj7QvJxpfWrIevvVtrsUhfFfM7msNIla3guYnSvPW-e16IHaQ6JOZ4wpoq-1py3Ium9/s1600/beans+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyLufpSnlfdu7gsNZJ-AAlFPNLE6Aj6H8msrwyVLE_mS_5Tv4nkText7mJWkmX19DWtTIyjyWFGj7QvJxpfWrIevvVtrsUhfFfM7msNIla3guYnSvPW-e16IHaQ6JOZ4wpoq-1py3Ium9/s320/beans+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start a trench.Fill your trench.Your trench is your friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Runner beans grow fast and thirsty. Preparation is everything. Choose a sunny or at least shade free location and make it weed free. Runner prefer a soil acidity of about ph 6.5-7.0 so lime if your soil is too acid.Runners need lots of water and lots of root space so prepare a trench as long as your run of canes will be and about a spit (spade blade) deep. This needs doing February to early March so it can be filled over the following weeks with compostable waste. This doesn't need to be rotted down as it will be covered and will mainly be used as a sponge to store water for the roots. The food aspect is of little value in this way but will provide plenty of goodness to the soil in the future.<br />
Anything biodegradable that will hold water/moisture can go in the trench. Newspaper, wool, old used compost from pots and tubs or baskets,straw, grass clippings and garden and kitchen raw veg waste.<br />
Cover with soil when you are ready to plant out your Runners, after soaking the trench first. This 'sump' or reservoir will help maintain the moisture levels for the plant which, remember, grows rapidly during what should be our hottest season.<br />
The Support.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QYknH9U-EINNJo3gzMKtMeTFh64OykBnVjSPDHr3-cD5TQJ8yq3BOgi0G9x6ohPu-EZEXF2tlVmZsCJdhuTiFq4vTSaySdB-ToNoF12mbjgmbetPD-pc8fGW7hYhlzXT0a-8Ag8c39kn/s1600/beans6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QYknH9U-EINNJo3gzMKtMeTFh64OykBnVjSPDHr3-cD5TQJ8yq3BOgi0G9x6ohPu-EZEXF2tlVmZsCJdhuTiFq4vTSaySdB-ToNoF12mbjgmbetPD-pc8fGW7hYhlzXT0a-8Ag8c39kn/s200/beans6.JPG" width="150" /></a>Second only in importance to the soil. Beans are grown up supports. They are a twining vine and will happily wrap themselves around any support you offer but also around anything else, including nearby stems from other plants or runner beans. The stems themselves can thicken rapidly and become very tough and rigid before harvesting so a strong support system is recommended, and one which can withstand having the old dry stems removed after the beans have finished. Nets can be utilised if available but are near impossible to reclaim intact and straight strong bamboo canes are more than suitable in most circumstances. Structure designs vary from basic leant against the wall to elaborate permanent structures that involve scaffold poles or wooden frameworks. The important features are strength against the weight of the vines and pods and stability against any late summer wind.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeMHNo7QAlBf3zyNN41WSiZydNU0thXFLXzWzBguzHeszm-mry-kxk9TM32GFMtY-q24JKsAnexOtBdIXgfqO0hel_bjlNQAOVIXNc6fbt9kIQnNe-Ynnif4aOdT0-OQ5bqCiYHNBrCmv/s1600/beans4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeMHNo7QAlBf3zyNN41WSiZydNU0thXFLXzWzBguzHeszm-mry-kxk9TM32GFMtY-q24JKsAnexOtBdIXgfqO0hel_bjlNQAOVIXNc6fbt9kIQnNe-Ynnif4aOdT0-OQ5bqCiYHNBrCmv/s200/beans4.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
So,we have the seed, soil and support. The rest is down to nature. Water and sunlight. As we can't rely on rain despite the reputation of our English Summers, we need to supplement by hand. That means watering at least daily, twice daily if possible. Early and late . Avoid the hot period. Water droplets act like magnifiers in direct sunlight. By watering I mean copious amounts. If you can mulch, even better. Consider one 9 litre can of water between two plants per day a reasonable amount. More if the sun is strong. The reservoir you've built will help to store all this water or the plants to use during the day and night.<br />
Water can help with pollination too.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1aoIXm9l-ZNEhHou6TYRE26dLUMPpKDGGEPRGYUJEP-WrMYyzYIPB9hyphenhyphenOlkLvQDAEO0bW8NsKPQwSmflsOLt0yjw321Z-K7zm8YSvJFQBpxXDdKbqOfC69EucokracKhczeEuZsBITaJ/s1600/bean1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1aoIXm9l-ZNEhHou6TYRE26dLUMPpKDGGEPRGYUJEP-WrMYyzYIPB9hyphenhyphenOlkLvQDAEO0bW8NsKPQwSmflsOLt0yjw321Z-K7zm8YSvJFQBpxXDdKbqOfC69EucokracKhczeEuZsBITaJ/s200/bean1.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bean flowers and seed pods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If the flowers are not setting, i.e. fertilising and bearing seed pods, a light spray with water in the late evening can help. I'm not sure why, whether it encourages nocturnal insects to visit or if the water helps the pollination itself, whatever it is, it seems to help. I haven't experienced any great issues with lowers setting so I can't vouch personally.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEBlG9LSbuw1N0DZTwRAL9BKaBwD82A5qsBeVLVxF0VaiIrDsTDitvPF0geo1h7R42Vc3CHtmEyBXy3Z8cqzCsZsdRfXpiWY0Ca3xnbWp999JGqpMrbkP4NPE7_MvFbqbysPnDKoiAzJy/s1600/beans5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEBlG9LSbuw1N0DZTwRAL9BKaBwD82A5qsBeVLVxF0VaiIrDsTDitvPF0geo1h7R42Vc3CHtmEyBXy3Z8cqzCsZsdRfXpiWY0Ca3xnbWp999JGqpMrbkP4NPE7_MvFbqbysPnDKoiAzJy/s200/beans5.jpg" width="133" /></a>Bean plants can either be grown from direct sowing or, as most growers do, from planting out those started indoors earlier. Although technically a perennial plant, Runners are treated as half hardy in the UK. so be sure to harden of any greenhouse plants before risking planting out. Sow seed in pots from April. Don't be tempted to rush things. Pot bound plants will take longer to recover and start growing again. Double up if you are unsure and sow 2 seeds per station, removing the weaker when they germinate. Once again, germination has never really been an issue.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvNSPtGxxlWwmRHCc74fO4rU_aCe9GIrL-KJZCBM3Ti8z_4kV8-6Makzg6o2yblQHZZKIJh8P3tmMlukaQaKdzy5Lg4p_S0yK-GYJseaFCLA7OZkOGjhgZx7xLhnUPPqXf49Wb2lum-nL/s1600/beans7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvNSPtGxxlWwmRHCc74fO4rU_aCe9GIrL-KJZCBM3Ti8z_4kV8-6Makzg6o2yblQHZZKIJh8P3tmMlukaQaKdzy5Lg4p_S0yK-GYJseaFCLA7OZkOGjhgZx7xLhnUPPqXf49Wb2lum-nL/s400/beans7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Plant out 2 plants per cane/support . Water well and stand back. No, seriously they don't grow that suddenly but when they do grow they can gain several inches over night. Bear this in mind when the vines reach the top of the supports, nip out the growing tip about six inches before the top as the vine will continue to grow a little before the plant directs its energy to setting seed. Don't panic at those words. Seed pods are the parts we eat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Runner Bean seed pod is eaten before the seeds themselves develop. Harvest the pods before you see any lumps develop. Those lumps are the seed. Harvest regularly. See development and a lack of moisture can cause the pods to grow tough and stringy. Water regularly, harvest regularly. Do both in one trip. Be ready to fill several carrier bags at the height of the growing season per harvest. Towards the end of the summer the plant will slow down production of pods an those will start to become tough. Those can be saved for seed collection if you like but will not be much use in the kitchen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One last tip:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Legume roots (runner beans are part of the legume family) capture nitrogen from the air as they grow and store it in nodules around their roots. When you clear your plants after they have served their purpose, cut the stems just above the soil and allow the roots to rot down in the soil, releasing the nitrogen into the soil for future plants to use. The actual amount of nitrogen is thought to be pretty minimal but there is nothing to be gained by pulling them so why not?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-24558938933181543702012-02-12T23:35:00.000+00:002012-02-12T23:35:01.480+00:00Starting The SeasonIt's finally here.<br />
No, not the DFS Sale but the beginning of the season. The growing season that is. It's not shooting time yet, unless you have extreme pest control issues. No, the season is fully under way now that we can safely consider sowing seed indoors ,confident in the knowledge that the soil outdoors will be warm enough to plant into when the time comes. It's all about looking ahead, planing for a few weeks,months or even years ahead. In the case of Asparagus beds you need to plan for at least the next 25 years so preparation is everything. For most things grown for food on the allotment or in the garden, we usually only look at 1-5 years. Beds are the way if you have difficult soil. Beds are a way of containing and therefore controlling a patch of soil so you can work it without standing on it, so you can limit the spread of nutrients and the invasion of most weeds and so you can apply the solution to the problem more efficiently.<br />
The other benefit is,of course, raised soil warms up earlier. I suggest covering beds with either cloches or polythene to pre-warm the soil for first sowings.The black polythene will draw the heat from the watery winter sun and retain it in the soil. Unfortunately it will also provide a haven for pest like slugs, so either make sure the beetle count is up ( they are ravenous carnivores and love slugs) or use pellets under the sheets. Regularly uncovering and leaving for the birds is also a way to reduce the mollusc population.<br />
The big question is, what to do first? Well, to my way of thinking, the seeds will germinate happily without my watching over them so I start them first then get on with everything else.<br />
The everything else this time being:<br />
Dismantle and remove old corrugated steel compost bin<br />
Sieve compost from main heap and remove weed root,non composted material and rubbish<br />
Have a bonfire to burn all the rubbish and non degradable material.<br />
<br />
O.K. the bonfire wasn't essential but I'm a male and we need our caveman throw back. Anyway, seeds need sowing, the soil is warming up (where I am anyway) and my seed potato tubers are chitting away merrily. The Asparagus has a feed of manure and one row is cloched to encourage an earlier start.<br />
The col snap we've just experienced has put a strain on some overwintered crops. The early Broad Beans have collapsed and look very limp and sorry but the later sown Peas are looking stubby but fine.<br />
As the weather is turning warmer now I hope to see a full recovery but I'm not over confident.<br />
I'll be sure to let you know though!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-53713095715003118352012-01-29T16:08:00.000+00:002012-01-29T16:08:11.821+00:00Review February/ MarchMore from the dairy 2011<br />
<br />
Thursday 03/02/11<br />
Warmer but still cold and damp. Fitted shelf unit inside shed utilising old greenhouse frame. Will be used to set up seed potatoes for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitting" target="_blank">chitting</a>. Strimmed paths, weeded beds, tidied shed and found roof felt. Had an idea to convert old compost bin to wood store. Very bright and sunny but nippy day.<br />
<br />
My diary for February ends there with just the one submission. Sadly, things happened in February that took my mind away from everything else.<br />
I won't go on about it here but I have posted <a href="http://stumblingupwards.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/sad-news/" target="_blank">elsewhere</a> about the loss of my Father.<br />
Needless to say, March was the next time I wrote anything garden based.<br />
<br />
Friday 04/03/11a.m.<br />
Cut Raspberries down<br />
Weeded and hoed around Raspberries<br />
Filled tubes for Parsnips and watered.<br />
p.m.<br />
Planted out broad beans from home, 14 plants next to Purple Sprouting.<br />
<br />
As you can see, March saw the start of the early action. Planting out early crops raised at home gives me a head start. The soil was evidently warm enough to support life as there were still plenty of weeds to tackle.<br />
<br />
Sunday 06/03/11<br />
New cover for greenhouse proved to be too small. Apparently there is a vast difference between different<br />
manufacturers sizes. Made trench with draw hoe and planted out Rocket, Pentland Javelin and Charlotte seed potatoes.Leek seed sown in pot in a bucket for protection, as a cold frame are germinating. A pane of glass placed on top let light in and helped keep temperatures up.<br />
<br />
Monday 07/03/11<br />
Sowed Kelvedon Wonder Peas. Used an X formation to see if makes harvesting any easier. (it doesn't)<br />
Sowed Broad Bean see next to plants from home.<br />
Pruned back Gooseberry bush to avoid crossing diseased or overcrowded branches.<br />
<br />
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to fruit bushes or trees. Better to lose a diseased branch than keep it in hope of more fruit. You'll only get poor fruit and a spreading disease.<br />
It's the same with crossing branches. They will rub and expose the branch to infection. Lose a branch now and prolong the health and vigour of the remaining ones.<br />
Wednesday 09/03/11<br />
Dug more Leeks, weeded part of the Leek bed and watered Peas and Beans.<br />
Breezy and grey.<br />
<br />
Thursday 17/03/11<br />
Brighter and warmer.<br />
Cut lawn and paths with push mower. Works very well. Cut some Purple Sprouting. Sowed 'Tender and<br />
True' Parsnips in prepared tubes.<br />
<br />
The lawn mower was an old model that had been replaced with a swish new electric rotary mower. I gave the cylinder mower a new home and it still serves me well. Sadly it came minus a collection box. The tubes for the Parsnip were toilet roll inners. The aim being to see if they could be started in those then transplanted out complete with tubes to avoid disturbance.<br />
(The tube idea failed miserably for me. The seedlings stalled at seedling stage then promptly died despite lots of TLC, fortunately the conventionally sown ones did spectacularly well)<br />
<br />
Sunday20/03/11<br />
Started out very bright. Dry and warm. Could this be the start of Spring?<br />
Raked and levelled a bed and sowed 3 rows of Autumn King Carrots, 3 rows of Tender and True Parsnips <br />
Collected grass clippings and composted.<br />
Leek seedlings in cold frame / bucket doing very well. Past 'hair pin' stage.<br />
Filled new raised bed with fresh manure for the Squashes. Watered Parsley seedlings. One shoot of Asparagus visible.<br />
<br />
The hair pin stage is the point at which the seedling pops open from the base and looks much like an open hair pin or safety pin.<br />
<br />
Thursday 24/03/11<br />
Hand weeded old Parsnip/Cabbage bed.<br />
Watered all seedlings and seed.<br />
Sowed 1 x Little Gem, 1 x Red Salad Bowl, 1 x Saladin (Iceberg Type)<br />
3 rows of Lettuces<br />
Covered bed filled with manure after watering with saved water. Used old black PVC sheeting.<br />
Another brave spear of Asparagus showing through.<br />
Sunny, warm with slight breeze.<br />
<br />
Sunday 27/03/11<br />
Bright but cold with nippy breeze. Overcast<br />
Weeded Asparagus. More tiny thin shoots.<br />
Sowed Cabbage Greyhound (Spring greens) and Lyon Leeks.<br />
Planted up remaining Onion sets Stuttgarter.<br />
Harvested carrier bag of Purple Sprouting and handful of Spring Onions.<br />
Watered Potatoes etc.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-87714046354336954442012-01-23T15:29:00.000+00:002012-01-23T15:29:19.984+00:00It's time to get the books out.Yes, we've hit that lull in proceedings where those of us who don't own or use a greenhouse have to twiddle our thumbs, tickle the soil over with a hoe once a week and find something to occupy our usually busy schedule.<br />
It's seed catalogue time.<br />
I've tried to steer clear of the lazy solution when writing here but in this case, I must hold up my hands and give in to the obvious. The seed houses and breeders have put all their efforts into finding new varieties and new plants for us so it would be exceedingly churlish to ignore them when the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful. So, if you've no place to go, let us, sow let us, sow let us sow...<br />
<br />
My particular leanings tend to be towards easy, tough and productive plants. I have neither the time nor the inclination to pamper those precious darlings of the alpine rockery or the demanding flavourless fashionistas that require heat, protection and then after five years, blanching to become barely edible.<br />
If possible, I try to avoid any edibles that need a lot of help. They seem to me to be akin to those freaks of the dog breeders world that need to be carried around, need special diets and regular operations just to survive and then have a limited lifespan at that.<br />
It has become the norm to grow tomatoes as a cordon, that is, as a single stem with side shoots removed. This encourages greater yields but leaves the plant totally dependant on the gardener for support. The fuss of tying in and staking plants is very limited compared to other plants but gives a good example.<br />
Years ago when I first tried growing tomatoes I grew bush varieties. Or rather, a bush variety. Even then it was hard to find anything other than a cordon type.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO6Fuw1oUWQK2imEqwCzxG96Lv4IWapQyV73x13UfogBnTIqNaqoc9v0uXVNOaUWBp8KTX84dBSWTq0wmhxauBH4gTyTiw5fFeyj7oRMK64CLax0s_Z_QCW8MeEr-Wj1p7K0XDDXalc2g/s1600/growing_tomatoes_from_seed_outdoors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO6Fuw1oUWQK2imEqwCzxG96Lv4IWapQyV73x13UfogBnTIqNaqoc9v0uXVNOaUWBp8KTX84dBSWTq0wmhxauBH4gTyTiw5fFeyj7oRMK64CLax0s_Z_QCW8MeEr-Wj1p7K0XDDXalc2g/s320/growing_tomatoes_from_seed_outdoors.jpg" width="244" /></a>The benefit of the bush variety means the plants are free to send out shoots and grow as a low bush rather than a tall single stem. The yield was actually quite comparable. The one precaution is a covering of straw or shredded paper under the plants as the fruits sit close to, sometimes on, the soil itself. Those gardeners trying to grow tomatoes in windier situations will see the clear advantage to this. The amount of ground required to grow bush types is however greater than with cordons but this does allow for a greater root area and even provides some degree of ground cover. I would recommend growing bush varieties to anyone keen to experiment with new and alternative options. Perhaps as a ground cover between the cordons or other taller thinner plants.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cc-DEtAR8ZzrAiYCET_DIV5FBsxXkf8_WdEd9pl1nxwk_VJS9QSDKpTjGqvRV4Zz0U7tNqhBubERqB7R5r7khiacQmOnSvoHMSFq3yT1GJu1r9Q_eQPBB1NIQbPkyhMwzY5kZe1lhte5/s1600/743-Tomato-Plant-Determinate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cc-DEtAR8ZzrAiYCET_DIV5FBsxXkf8_WdEd9pl1nxwk_VJS9QSDKpTjGqvRV4Zz0U7tNqhBubERqB7R5r7khiacQmOnSvoHMSFq3yT1GJu1r9Q_eQPBB1NIQbPkyhMwzY5kZe1lhte5/s1600/743-Tomato-Plant-Determinate.jpg" /></a>Sadly, the choices are still quite limited.<br />
Looking through the main seed house website listings, only a few appear.<br />
<a href="http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fothergills</a> can't be bothered to list them at all, preferring not to inform the buyer as to the growing habit. A search on their website or bush tomato only brings a mix of plants with bush in the name .such as Marrows and berries, or the full list of all tomato varieties available regardless of habit.<br />
Of course, it is perfectly plausible that all tomato plants can be left to grow as bushes but breeding has produce plants that can no longer cope without the constant attention that cordon plants get. Disease resistance and watering are more of an issue when they are left to fend for themselves.<br />
<a href="http://www.thompson-morgan.com/" target="_blank">Thompson and Morgan</a>, ever the encyclopaedic of suppliers, have a vast wealth of choices available, all specifically described as Bush. A search engine that is easy to use and responds quite happily to limited information is such a bonus and this is where Thompson and Morgan show their colours.<br />
<a href="http://www.suttons.co.uk/" target="_blank">Suttons Seed</a>s search bar suggests bush tomatoes as an option for the word 'bush' and so again scores well. Sadly, the choice is quite minimal. Almost a token gesture, considering their position in the market.<br />
<a href="http://www.dobies.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dobies</a> hit a wall when it comes to searching for Bush, well, anything. Typing 'Bush Tomatoes' into their search bar results in a dead end. No items found.<br />
Trying just 'Bush' brings up not one but two varieties of Marrow. Nothing else.You can only find tomatoes if you delete the plural and type in 'Tomato'. Once again, taking a leaf out of Fothergill's book, these are not listed by growth habit so a steady one by one search is required to find the bush types. Once discovered, the description does however inform the potential buyer about the growing style. Sadly, as the text is copied word for word from other suppliers' sites, it really doesn't encourage any loyalty and a better and larger choice will draw customers away to Suttons.<br />
"But what about the smaller, specialist sites and suppliers?" I don't hear you cry.<br />
I'll tell you anyway.<br />
<a href="http://seedsofitaly.co.uk/" target="_blank">Seeds of Italy</a> again can't handle a search for two words and only show Bush varieties as part of the tomato list in general but a very nice range of ten varieties chosen on taste and kitchen preference with mouthwatering descriptions. A real foodies seed house.<br />
<a href="http://www.realseeds.co.uk/" target="_blank">Real Seeds</a>. That's a refreshing site. More of an information/club/research site than just a sales site. Favours interaction so you get honest reviews from existing customers before making your selection. A side bar lists Bush Tomatoes separately and, although the choice is limited to only four, they are very full and informative descriptions. This is clearly a site for and by food lovers and growers rather than a commercial giant.<br />
What about your favourite oddity?<br />
Do you spend the dark cold days searching the web or ideas or do you just find other things get in the way?<br />
Right, now for the next bit, the planning a planting scheme!<br />
Time for the notepad!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-22124198877932676102012-01-02T22:26:00.000+00:002012-01-02T22:26:27.201+00:00New Year,New Ideas?Every year about this time people around the globe start making random promises and rash decisions. This year will no doubt be the same but I am somewhat a quiet rebel so I will just adapt and maybe improve some things I already do. It's less demanding and much easier to keep up. You say lazy, unambitious, I say rebellious.<br />
Anyhoo, one thing I am going to improve on is my pest control. I lost a lot to whitefly and slugs last year, two things which can be easily defeated with a little care and attention and not too much extra effort. I was fortunately given an extendible cloche for Christmas which will help deter the flying pests. We have a steady supply of used teabags and eggshells which will prove a challenge for the slithering pests as well as the copious amount of coffee grounds I produce.<br />
I also have a big roll of horticultural large hole netting. That I will need to think about. It won't stop butterflies but ,if used sensibly it can keep birds off fruit or Brassicas. The trick with fruit netting is to keep it taught. Slack netting will allow birds feet to get tangled up. We don't want them eating our fruit but neither do we want them to die a horrible death trying to.<br />
Alternatively, I could use the net to grown climbers up but I don't like the way the dead tendrils can't be very easily remove after cropping and that means a waste. I prefer to re use, reduce and recycle. Now, there's a thought. I could look at finding used materials we can recycle and or re use.<br />
Fisherman's nets, old packing cases, broken pallets and old window frames from double glazing fitters. Most of these have been already made available at our site but then we also have recycled horse feed freely available too.<br />
I'll get on with looking at that as I vaguely recall pop bottle greenhouses, car tyre planters and builders supplies sacks..Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-54732637577679634722011-12-04T19:14:00.000+00:002011-12-04T19:14:22.579+00:00It's Been A Good Year For The ....Well, what has it been a good year for? What did well, which crops failed miserably and what did you try for the first time?<br />
As I've mentioned before, I've tried to keep a diary this year to chart and record my successes and failures, my sowing dates and harvesting. All this should help me avoid mistakes and optimise the soil next season. But what can I say I've learned so far?<br />
My first entry laid out my plans and aims: To provide at least two crops in each month for the table. To be methodical and only grow what we will use.To achieve by methods such as succession sowing and inter-cropping and by the use of varieties of each crop to extend the cropping season.<br />
I started early, well early for the year. Gardening doesn't really follow the calendar, starting in January and ending in December. Rather we sow and plant, harvest and lift as the season dictates. I made my first entry on January the sixth.<br />
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Got to plot 11:30 am<br />
No ice but cold and sticky<br />
Dug some Leeks. Site locked up and barren<br />
Need new batteries for radio.<br />
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As you can tell, my priorities were not entirely all about food!<br />
The following visit was a little more productive:<br />
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Thursday 09/01/11<br />
Dug last of the Mooli.<br />
Cleared beds.<br />
Turned heap.<br />
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Turning that heap was a great way to not only keep the compost actively decomposing but also to keep me warm. A good session digging or turning a heap is so much better than jogging or dancing about in lycra at a South American exercise class. Mooli were great as a crop as they grow to about the same size as a shop bought Parsnip and withstand any weather except drying out. Too much heat and not enough water will make them 'bolt' or set seed prematurely. The only downside really is that they are, after all, a radish. Not the most versatile crop for mid winter.<br />
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Thursday 13/01/11<br />
Site too wet to work.<br />
Weeds growing strongly.<br />
New batteries!<br />
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So, things looked up. Sadly, even with raised beds, long periods of deep snow usually result in standing water making access to the plot difficult , and it's never a good idea to walk on saturated soil as it squeezes any remaining air out of the soil damaging it in the long and short term.<br />
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Sunday 16/01/11<br />
Hoed again.<br />
Planted Stuttgarter Onion Sets.<br />
Grey, windy and cold still<br />
Not an exciting month, January, but getting the succession going with the onion sets is a good point. Autumn sown Onion sets don't have to be planted all at once. Save some and plant a second or third selection later for later cropping. Although Onions can be stored very well and last from the last of one harvest until the start of the next, harvesting, drying and tying up before storing all your crop in one fell swoop can be a bit daunting. Space it out, smaller amounts over a longer period.<br />
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Sunday 23/01/11<br />
Cold, some ice, breezy.<br />
Dug last Parsnips and leeks.<br />
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Sunday 30/01/11<br />
Still freezing but very bright.<br />
Only one other body visible at the site.<br />
Cleared area at the end of the shed.<br />
Planted two more rows of Stuttgarter.<br />
Raked eggshells into soil before planting sets out. (experiment)<br />
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So, not everyone took the opportunity to get out and work on the soil while things were quiet. It can sometimes be easier to dig the plot if conditions allow while very little is growing. I know the snow we had in November and later didn't help but once the snow had melted away and the waters had subsided, there was no reason why not to keep warm, exercise and get some fresh if chilly air.<br />
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Next time: February brings very little activity but plenty of prep for the upcoming busy season.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-14658386867446071542011-11-24T18:52:00.000+00:002011-11-24T18:52:06.299+00:00Putting in the graft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbd-3f13SFebXwrO-tjvuzvKbczr_DxjJzM4gnxno0cmAYlzl5HbNXWR25yrFoUULMiJM-c8Uw110eNKxYcR9zYd4hanHqqKEhh_EFrAaFjrdqnbK6j7GXkLd-PLMQClewLULPB1_y_6-/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbd-3f13SFebXwrO-tjvuzvKbczr_DxjJzM4gnxno0cmAYlzl5HbNXWR25yrFoUULMiJM-c8Uw110eNKxYcR9zYd4hanHqqKEhh_EFrAaFjrdqnbK6j7GXkLd-PLMQClewLULPB1_y_6-/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Today was planting day for my Anniversary present. Although our date is in October, the tree was despatched to suit its best planting time so arrived this week, mid November. The variety is Concorde, an eating Pear and , as is the norm, is grafted on to a rootstock. In this instance, it's Quince. Grafting plants is a practice which it is thought goes back to the Chinese pre 2000BC. The main purposes for grafting are restricting top growth, rapid introduction of new varieties (by topworking) and to enable the cultivation of a variety that is susceptible to either disease or conditions such as temperature. The basic principle is forming a union at tissue level of two separate plants,usually those parts below ground (rootstock) and those above (scion). Find out more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafting" target="_blank">here</a>. My major influence in horticulture, my maternal Grandfather, had a few grafted plants in his garden, including a three variety Pear tree. This sort of grating can enable a small garden to provide a larger range of varieties in smaller amounts than from three individual trees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSR-Ocib0lcQRTUyA6ql6M2idtiEbHhceaad6SLNn60GgDeFS7QH_znBfJWY60RQIrw4JTOia7bqAbVDvb8Y-Mp1o72zu4j-448tWI9z1PQaKixaFwExnXKOnMSu2wV1vd17_xhLBpmkM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSR-Ocib0lcQRTUyA6ql6M2idtiEbHhceaad6SLNn60GgDeFS7QH_znBfJWY60RQIrw4JTOia7bqAbVDvb8Y-Mp1o72zu4j-448tWI9z1PQaKixaFwExnXKOnMSu2wV1vd17_xhLBpmkM/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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The scion is normally the same size or slightly thicker than the rootstock, particularly if the rootstock is used to inhibit the growth of the scion variety, as the picture shows. A quick pause here to elaborate on that last sentence. We have all either tried or been tempted to try growing a fruit tree from a seed we've found in fruit we've been eating. If you have ever been successful, one thing that would be immediately noticeable would be the size and vigour of the tree. In their natural state, most if not all our popular fruit crops can rapidly reach staggering sized plants. The problem with this is that you need a very large area to grow just one tree and you need a very long ladder to reach the fruit!Secondly, Apples for example do not come true from see. This means the pips produced from one fruit will not grow to produce the same fruit as the parent from which that original pip came. It is the same as human genetics. A child from any parents will never be an exact clone of either parent. As such, all Apple stock has to be increased by vegetative propagation. By taking cuttings, grafting or division. Every specimen of Granny Smith or Bramley is in fact a slice from the original seedling. Only one of each variety has been grown from a seed. That is the plant that first produced the apple which some gardener thought was good enough to share and reproduce.<br />
Some species are grafted to produce taller trees for ease of cultivation as the species in nature may grow as a low spreading bush making harvest and disease control a problem.<br />
Roses tend to be grown on rootstock because it allows a faster production of commercial varieties and also allows for less hardy varieties to flourish in colder areas. In many instances, climbing or rambling roses for example, the natural growth on their own roots is far too aggressive for garden use.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL3Ri3UGZIdskNra_gwHT4Pys-Wu9bZz5vGRfAG_KBDM-cPezd-ourvxLtD15YiHsZIlJpY5s_kGSDW27qhccXs1K5ZUYFLGmUiFaegxy3gONsaFk6kgawzLIIqpJqfjz-PyKphK6TFwB/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL3Ri3UGZIdskNra_gwHT4Pys-Wu9bZz5vGRfAG_KBDM-cPezd-ourvxLtD15YiHsZIlJpY5s_kGSDW27qhccXs1K5ZUYFLGmUiFaegxy3gONsaFk6kgawzLIIqpJqfjz-PyKphK6TFwB/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anyway, back to the tree planting. A well fed and well turned over soil is always going to be beneficial so I chose a spot that has some history. I originally prepared a mound of well rotted manure and compost and covered it in a layer of down facing turves so I could try growing a Melon plant three years ago. Sadly slugs cut through the stem when the plant was quite young so the heap remained for the next two years, growing only grass and weeds. This autumn I removed the top grass and sieved the soil for weed roots. A month later it's rich and full of potential. A quick tickle with a fork to open up the soil and after picking out any remain weed evidence, a good sized hole was dug and in went the rootball.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm-j-XkPbGbdMyf-Jizy7Qxr-NmIq8nkztvxxylUIOUiZaGUEGUcQp2Nb_LRpt8QAG70Av7bkU8rbKG3zLN2atwG4H41LSZ5wsH30RodtIhtQs7OKcuoac4CSdcx3Zs7hvwrl7eoNwfir/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm-j-XkPbGbdMyf-Jizy7Qxr-NmIq8nkztvxxylUIOUiZaGUEGUcQp2Nb_LRpt8QAG70Av7bkU8rbKG3zLN2atwG4H41LSZ5wsH30RodtIhtQs7OKcuoac4CSdcx3Zs7hvwrl7eoNwfir/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I used a bamboo cane laid across the soil to make sure the depth was right. There should be some evidence of soil on the tree showing the depth the tree has been growing at the nursery an this is the depth at which you should continue to grow you tree. It is common advice that we must support all newly planted trees with stakes and ties but I am rebelling against that as the specimen is quite short and previous fruit trees on the same site have survived well despite the lack of staking. I am also of the camp that believes allowing a tree to bend with the wind creates a thicker and stronger trunk with more likelihood of survival.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkpeumVLOyx1BBMlRJM1nDTqFqWaX1O3pS91cf9qweNfbtFJxE1ew4ZyE3rU-OngGep7wHW7w_WDIKL6bpAeqXn1YsNUf-nxZ6pCmkENOc5ivNFhQsUZ_KChs0bmy5WWIFP5O3SQGJdTs/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkpeumVLOyx1BBMlRJM1nDTqFqWaX1O3pS91cf9qweNfbtFJxE1ew4ZyE3rU-OngGep7wHW7w_WDIKL6bpAeqXn1YsNUf-nxZ6pCmkENOc5ivNFhQsUZ_KChs0bmy5WWIFP5O3SQGJdTs/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once planted and firmed with the heel, the new addition to the allotment was given a good drink of fresh water to wash soil deep into the gaps between the roots. I won't expect any fruit in the first year, in fact I will be removing any fruit that forms as soon as the flowers fall. Producing fruit takes a lot of energy and that isn't good for a plant that is still settling in and putting out roots. I'll allow the energy to go towards establishing the tree first then allow fruit to come in the following year. Luckily Pears are long lived fruit trees and produce much better and more prolifically as they age.<br />
I just know I can look forward to many years of fresh juicy Pears in the future!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-15685177746288674972011-11-17T20:34:00.000+00:002011-11-17T20:34:22.569+00:00Time to get stripping!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7AqrzcCydEBqWIvn_4r0NOKC5Ur8SYkKsLGr9VX4bxhu_yKNFuhtKESMPq0I3FEgRQeO49K6htQ02y3e6yBsH-JtEbO6cOx7uItMo9O5CpbRA7g-7JZsTa8Zg4b3_6vN9Riv7ye4AEEt/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7AqrzcCydEBqWIvn_4r0NOKC5Ur8SYkKsLGr9VX4bxhu_yKNFuhtKESMPq0I3FEgRQeO49K6htQ02y3e6yBsH-JtEbO6cOx7uItMo9O5CpbRA7g-7JZsTa8Zg4b3_6vN9Riv7ye4AEEt/s320/001.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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I made a useful discovery today. I noticed some of the troublesome grass path between two of my beds had started to tumble over the edge and onto one of the beds. I started to just pull up the grass clump. As it came away, it pulled more of the matted grass roots with it, like a green carpet. I continued and found that, in fact, a lot of it would come away as simply as pulling up a roll of thick muddy carpet. I soon found myself stripping away the full length of the one path and lugging it into a barrow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KXr9l7h4gZ3ZTmAq30OxGdyjAkFznsgDcNVAbV2Y8DKlvev6l0ZbIwuGa7NhFLkWcwH-51SPr21b115V0M4oD6WFV0syOwMr260uOrnSGVjpInNIiqegIMmRBUQT0h5enFUOkzME4Gz2/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KXr9l7h4gZ3ZTmAq30OxGdyjAkFznsgDcNVAbV2Y8DKlvev6l0ZbIwuGa7NhFLkWcwH-51SPr21b115V0M4oD6WFV0syOwMr260uOrnSGVjpInNIiqegIMmRBUQT0h5enFUOkzME4Gz2/s320/003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>The method works really well and exposes all the nooks and crannies that slugs and other pests hibernate in over winter. It doesn't however lift the tap rooted weeds. As the pictures show, it does make it a lot easier to spot them and lift them with a hand fork, taking as much root as possible to eliminate regrowth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggJqzr67TthJiDZqdcpb-GzYEaT_N0of69BOqNzlZFdkeXgtS_cblT816Tk2c7xma1l2gGyk97xSaENnx77M8FE5SVMwW_if4GN-9sdVTNwSrGrVeckk3E4YieU4hjDvOh8QDc2XHVOKs/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggJqzr67TthJiDZqdcpb-GzYEaT_N0of69BOqNzlZFdkeXgtS_cblT816Tk2c7xma1l2gGyk97xSaENnx77M8FE5SVMwW_if4GN-9sdVTNwSrGrVeckk3E4YieU4hjDvOh8QDc2XHVOKs/s320/002.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYg6yWvo1n10QOjN696t_aZcm6P2uw7Q4TRSZplx7UXQvkx9_lUO3ELUex16BvUYlksD5ur2ySi3Nf2J_93664hrS0K65ykNmIcvFzKY04rELzsPFUOK959iCOH7VmKJ4nlwkGj0do4ZB/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYg6yWvo1n10QOjN696t_aZcm6P2uw7Q4TRSZplx7UXQvkx9_lUO3ELUex16BvUYlksD5ur2ySi3Nf2J_93664hrS0K65ykNmIcvFzKY04rELzsPFUOK959iCOH7VmKJ4nlwkGj0do4ZB/s320/005.jpg" width="213" /></a>A quick hoe over to break up the compaction from a few years of walking over, wheeling barrows along and mowing, then the rack tidied up the bare soil. It was a relief to finish the one path but then I stood back and looked at it. I was a bit to keen to admire my own efforts and decided the next path along the other side of the bed would look better if it matched...</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVoFiBLje3wz6Guuq2NsvIJcAxYjYpNfWauBP_AEy_CKQemLk5jFYmt_wOfBBlFYGQPYUKwF9GQ7CmtIsPmy3rNWw_KZ9Ie7WG6COc5ugFLBaCrkSh1bAhKHgaNrXOnFvaY2V4s14lR1w/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVoFiBLje3wz6Guuq2NsvIJcAxYjYpNfWauBP_AEy_CKQemLk5jFYmt_wOfBBlFYGQPYUKwF9GQ7CmtIsPmy3rNWw_KZ9Ie7WG6COc5ugFLBaCrkSh1bAhKHgaNrXOnFvaY2V4s14lR1w/s320/004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Well, I have a work day tomorrow so I can always rest at my desk until my back and knees forgive me. At least my fingers won't be on display so much. Yes, tearing up two barrows full of muddy root matting does get the soil under the nails pretty deeply!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Rector's Way, Weston-Super-Mare, Avon BS23, UK51.3404739 -2.967877100000009751.3401464 -2.9679486000000095 51.3408014 -2.96780560000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-36489742079180499742011-10-21T21:15:00.000+01:002011-10-21T21:15:20.414+01:00It's Never The Same As The First ThymeIt's time for me to insult you all by reminding you how to plant Garlic and Onion sets and sow Broad Beans and Peas.<br />
I say insult because of a recent conversation, (I said something, they replied. That much), I had on â„¢Twitter.<br />
BBC Gardeners World had reached that time of year too. Big cuddly Monty was about to go to great lengths to explain how to plant Garlic bulbs when , almost as one, a group of friends online all complained that this was in fact helpful but patronising as not only do most viewers already know the basics of planting vegetable but this 'advice' had been repeated annually for several years.<br />
Now, I'm not one to criticise but isn't all gardening advice repetitive?<br />
By the very fact that gardening relies on the coming and going of seasonal changes and the Circle Of Life (copyright Elton John), things will repeat but it is the manifesto of the horticultural correspondent to find some new angle or new approach to the mundane and repetitive.<br />
That said, I'm going to start by talking about planting Garlic..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ1H1uBIPfSXOAwdzNB-onovSttopqBf54HPfCJZc2HUvyvrlx3OsyPPSAJkw1e02s9LPvjvXOhLZfRqUi4auDwnYFYXfCC1d2D2THlJgZPhhid5_c2TpKb4ywb8mkQ-tA7QwQWgVj8IZ/s1600/H1104499-Garlic_bulbs-SPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ1H1uBIPfSXOAwdzNB-onovSttopqBf54HPfCJZc2HUvyvrlx3OsyPPSAJkw1e02s9LPvjvXOhLZfRqUi4auDwnYFYXfCC1d2D2THlJgZPhhid5_c2TpKb4ywb8mkQ-tA7QwQWgVj8IZ/s320/H1104499-Garlic_bulbs-SPL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grow it. Even if it's just for fun, for the hell of it. To prove you can. To give away to friends or just to string together and hang from the kitchen rafters Brittany Farm House Kitchen style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just do it right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't grab a sorry looking specimen off the shelf, or worse, from the chilled cabinet at the local supermarket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, Garlic reproduces by division so each clove grows into a bulb but there are different varieties that cope with different climates and conditions. The supermarket offerings will have grown in a nice warm sunny climate on probably enriched well drained soil. Yours will struggle to survive in cold, wet conditions on claggy,heavy soil in our temperate and varied climate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Choose wisely. Research growing conditions locally and find a supplier from the U.K.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Try <a href="http://thegarlicfarm.co.uk/index.aspx">The Garlic Farm</a> on The Isle of White. Not exactly next door neighbours but close enough for our purposes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe you're reading this with a slight brogue accent? Try<a href="http://www.reallygarlicky.co.uk/"> Really Garlicky</a>, a Highland Garlic Farm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whatever you do, remember you are growing a crop and you'll want to treat it the same way you would any other crop. It will be hit by pests, as it is an Allium, think of other onion type plants and the pests that ail them. Viruses, diseases and other weaknesses. Feed them, give them good soil and water them well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-59118332447121779082011-09-28T21:00:00.000+01:002011-09-28T21:00:55.775+01:00Andy Warhol Knew His OnionsI have been struck by a bug, the stardom bug.<br />
We have a very good local web tv channel here,westonsupertelevision.com, and they chose to contact me to talk about this blog, gardening and general green issues.<br />
I've had odd brushes with television and radio in another guise but never anything that has centred on my life love of gardening, growing and providing.<br />
It was an odd but welcome opportunity to spread or share my enthusiasm for all the benefits of plot life.(There's a merchandising idea..Plotlife..)<br />
Anyway, here it is.<br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/29717036">Me Talking Gardening</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-35301060976387690312011-09-08T16:44:00.001+01:002011-09-08T16:44:49.032+01:00Don't judge a book (or beetroot) by its coverOr more precisely, don't judge the size of your roots by the amount of leaf above the ground. I sowed a couple of short rows of beetroot earlier in the year. There were sown in the same bed as the disastrous Italian heritage radishes with the long complicated name an the very small chilli plants. As you can tell by the description, they weren't that successful but this is the same bed that I have been growing my runners in and my hopeful sprouts.<br />
I thought the beetroot was going to be a dismal failure because the leaf growth seemed sadly lacking, some making little more than half a dozen leaves of under four inches in height. Compared to the beetroot sown over a month later and growing resplendently in another bed, with huge two foot leaves in big bunches, they seemed destined to end their days garnishing the compost heap rather than a salad.<br />
I had left them to try and put on some growth as they were not taking up much space or requiring any real attention other than watering and weeding. It may have been the weather, the soil, the shade from the bean 'wall' or a number of things so I just let them get on with it.<br />
As it happens I have been harvesting the healthier looking roots for a few weeks with varying results, some medium sized some small and few large. But all had large fleshy an shiny beautiful leaves.<br />
This week, thanks to the heavy rain and the driving wind, my wall of beans finally changed from a precarious listing position to a permanent horizontal one so I made the most of the beans that were left and cut the stems of the vines so I could tidy the mess. I decided to pull up the miserable wretches that were the early beetroot as they were in the same bed and beginning to lose the fight with the weeds, lush and green from the rain. To my surprise, the roots were healthy, clean and averaged two inches in diameter, just the right size for pickling as baby beets. With most, the leaves were still tiny pathetic looking tufts on top but the roots were if not impressive at least very usable.<br />
It just proves the point, don't just what lies beneath by the evidence you see on the surface. Sometimes the right soil contains all the plant needs for growth where it counts. Leafy crops require more Nitrogen,root crops need Phosphorus to succeed and without Potassium we wouldn't get flowers or the fruits that follow. It must have been the case that the soil in the first bed had a good amount of Phosphorus, where the second with the later sowing had high Nitrogen content, producing a lot of lush but ultimately pointless leaf growth.<br />
It serves as a good lesson in maintaining a good level of nutrients in your soil, preparing the right beds for the relevant crops an knowing what they need.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-80605218080632657982011-08-21T20:44:00.000+01:002011-08-21T20:44:31.893+01:00Bugs for BeansToday's trip to the plot was not only for harvesting, as are most visits during August, but also to take some pictures. I like to record the varying stages of growth during the seasons, the changing face of the site and the wide and wondrous range of plants grown at the site.<br />
Today was a good day to record the numbers of ladybirds(bugs) helping keep my plot, and in particular my beans, pest free.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxCEJRKfAvNbDvA6fESExC5Om9pmsuRjgJY_t3gYR-qjdJSxLBVkn6YbG5HPrLeDfmMMqUjWUi3GdcV_t4YuUZKtVVTKutaEYP174bI4Lyz80Qv7MBJ6npM5BPxIYpCw1ehWhOMD_00mj/s1600/130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxCEJRKfAvNbDvA6fESExC5Om9pmsuRjgJY_t3gYR-qjdJSxLBVkn6YbG5HPrLeDfmMMqUjWUi3GdcV_t4YuUZKtVVTKutaEYP174bI4Lyz80Qv7MBJ6npM5BPxIYpCw1ehWhOMD_00mj/s320/130.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do enjoy growing beans but I never really gae the life cycle of the ladybird/bug much consideration. I knew the larvae was larger and more voracious than the adult but have never observed the point at which one becomes the other, as some of the above shots show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-6967990175314676652011-08-01T22:13:00.000+01:002011-08-01T22:13:01.850+01:00Taking Notes And Making ChangesIt's been a lovely summer so far, with some rain to disappoint the sun lovers but keep the ground moist but mainly a good few dry,hot days.The fruit has been early and abundant this season and the veg has handled all that nature can throw at it with aplomb.<br />
We can all enjoy the pleasures that are ours to reap this season but what about the next one?<br />
What of next year?<br />
I have written about my plantings, sowings and harvests here but in order to make sure I'm not going to be repeating reports of repeated mistakes or failures I have also been keeping a small notebook hanging in my shed at the plot to record my actions as and when I visit the plot. Only scribbled short notes, abbreviated comments and lists of seed names it may be but it has a few points of reference that'll help for next year:<br />
The Date of each visit.<br />
The names of varieties sown/planted.<br />
The treatments given/action taken.<br />
The Date of any harvesting and rough estimates of quantities/sizes.<br />
These points mean I can avoid making mistakes twice, I can know which plants and seeds do better than others, how early some things can be started and when to expect a return on your hard work. By recording the progress, or lack of it, of new subjects, you can build up a large list of things that will provide good results time and time again and what works best where and after which crops.<br />
This year, as always, I am trying new things.<br />
It's a habit I can't give up.<br />
I promise I will stick to what I already grow every year but I never manage to keep my resolution.<br />
This year, being no exception, I am growing Sweet Potato, Winter Radish, Italian Radish and Brussels Sprouts.<br />
I'll let you know how it goes...<br />
What are you trying for the first time?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-86678796415382508352011-07-08T23:31:00.000+01:002011-07-08T23:31:16.459+01:00Sweet for my sweet (potato)<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_potato">Sweet Potato</a> is , surprisingly, more closely related to one of the less popular plants regularly found in our gardens than we think. Now, don't be misled by the common name. That's always a mistake. Ipomoea batatas is distantly related to because they are both from the Solanales order but they are not family. The members of the same family are all Convolvulaceae. If that sounds familiar, think of Convulvus, the climbing<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_glory"> Morning Glory</a>. Also, the white flowered close cousin, Bindweed. Yes, BINDWEED!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sweet Potatoes are closely related to the pernicious strangling weed Bindweed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">When you compare leaves and flowers, you can see the link but the tubers are the main difference.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgjHZEsHHIYTqPu-tqeGilW6WH7wvLfClXRZiAwvcfl_ML-53QODBZpHKoQYP9e25i6JmbEtSdGZheC58xNqUtxHfGlmI9ey-SDQxxODvmvEseJ7FqQ2ilNJBccVmN1ThfvwopT29IFPn/s1600/250px-MorningGlories-Tonsofem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgjHZEsHHIYTqPu-tqeGilW6WH7wvLfClXRZiAwvcfl_ML-53QODBZpHKoQYP9e25i6JmbEtSdGZheC58xNqUtxHfGlmI9ey-SDQxxODvmvEseJ7FqQ2ilNJBccVmN1ThfvwopT29IFPn/s200/250px-MorningGlories-Tonsofem.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Glory</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXY-rWRnl1kEjumx4lok1u1vcM7rYicwRxsX7-G24Bg-cGfm0ZFNU6JmFddUBnqCnzmT7xXthbRt1c2LUq4zXpn3P4b0hWjBKYkEEF0lyO1W2v25yBVp85OyMwS9o7EjHDD5YtH47vcOE/s1600/bindweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXY-rWRnl1kEjumx4lok1u1vcM7rYicwRxsX7-G24Bg-cGfm0ZFNU6JmFddUBnqCnzmT7xXthbRt1c2LUq4zXpn3P4b0hWjBKYkEEF0lyO1W2v25yBVp85OyMwS9o7EjHDD5YtH47vcOE/s200/bindweed.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bindweed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The wide trumpets and the glossy heat shaped leaves, the twining stems. All are common in all three plants.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6hRI6sosJwytgJ-cCZ1ldsC7nwJawMTltjxFHUs9MIqPDuFx3z0m-rxxFMtFD_e9wfxyQVt3GEW_xPY0yyCNEfv15ZCNUnLb5C1EGNRvgNfK6-U5KqEfIqGBpzj3ZZepkCTqNuaaUd1B/s1600/sweetpotatoesplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6hRI6sosJwytgJ-cCZ1ldsC7nwJawMTltjxFHUs9MIqPDuFx3z0m-rxxFMtFD_e9wfxyQVt3GEW_xPY0yyCNEfv15ZCNUnLb5C1EGNRvgNfK6-U5KqEfIqGBpzj3ZZepkCTqNuaaUd1B/s200/sweetpotatoesplant.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Potatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The resemblance to the common potato is very slight, mainly in the edible tubers. Beyond that, there are very few similarities. A much smaller trumpet flower but no climbing.No heart shaped leaves either sadly, as I'm sure they'd make spuds more popular in the garden.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, why the interest in Sweet Potatoes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because I've just started growing them!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-62203804871366122862011-06-16T17:52:00.000+01:002011-06-16T17:52:08.358+01:00Getting in The Spirit Of The HarvestI've been looking for more ways to use up the abundant harvest which seems to be coming earlier and earlier. So far, the peas and potatoes are welcome at the table in the usual form of sunday roast vegetables but the surplus fruit has always been a challenge. We can only eat a limited amount of Summer Pudding and as lovely as strawberries and cream are, after too many they start to induce a fuller figure and nausea!<br />
So, being partial to the odd naughty vimto, I stumbled across a few recipes for using fruit to enhance alcoholic drinks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2AUXc3FuWJVdTPoy8SNJb4MH-0GedUtwn8nIJ1yIRl0zRw6SekgvzatjTx0XJ9aXmrZjfJFKErFJjIRDajLpbcqT9ja3P72QKdH5dGSnlblvi3v_mSUovsE2o7_B9hohvBo7EZoo6mJX/s1600/DSCN1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2AUXc3FuWJVdTPoy8SNJb4MH-0GedUtwn8nIJ1yIRl0zRw6SekgvzatjTx0XJ9aXmrZjfJFKErFJjIRDajLpbcqT9ja3P72QKdH5dGSnlblvi3v_mSUovsE2o7_B9hohvBo7EZoo6mJX/s320/DSCN1427.JPG" width="320" /></a>The ingredients. Blackcurrants, Voka and a kilner jar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutKiClln6irwHgZHj_657ALy59U6bnl60SUkDNeInhGHVabxbShYXbNhcgl0VW9JBOIBhHj7huP-fh84DvATEk6TemeZ0CAftgEsN5q6t_PAUVVQaaziPyAjuRiXfVPrXyTv42EkNgM7y/s1600/DSCN1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutKiClln6irwHgZHj_657ALy59U6bnl60SUkDNeInhGHVabxbShYXbNhcgl0VW9JBOIBhHj7huP-fh84DvATEk6TemeZ0CAftgEsN5q6t_PAUVVQaaziPyAjuRiXfVPrXyTv42EkNgM7y/s320/DSCN1429.JPG" width="320" /></a>Washing the fruits and removing the sticks, stems and snails</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3Ll7tcxhoelnVYccT-ygVjWsFWYTjOrvB_QkMBZuQWN7jkVjpYH9LkwlPXB4YYtQDecJQ0I-lDhIeYqG_7Q7sVgVPfwsALbHRxXq-rnxscv9oeHXuVTnYzF2XTLOuvX5SWLCCUsuTzAc/s1600/DSCN1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3Ll7tcxhoelnVYccT-ygVjWsFWYTjOrvB_QkMBZuQWN7jkVjpYH9LkwlPXB4YYtQDecJQ0I-lDhIeYqG_7Q7sVgVPfwsALbHRxXq-rnxscv9oeHXuVTnYzF2XTLOuvX5SWLCCUsuTzAc/s320/DSCN1431.JPG" width="320" /></a> Kilner Jar stuffed to the brim with fruit and topped up with medium quality unflavoured spirit.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSlKH_jQTvxG92QDEpORuhBFRBr8mBPRSFEltWIWhyphenhyphenXh-cvJVuCJzWpcJ5jKwany09pOvcgD6zhymK0aVgQPBLnPsGb5DFv72Fiy4oiaJesIU4gt9GVzlSIFbWhdH_IlRoodz-Ofgc4pV/s1600/DSCN1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSlKH_jQTvxG92QDEpORuhBFRBr8mBPRSFEltWIWhyphenhyphenXh-cvJVuCJzWpcJ5jKwany09pOvcgD6zhymK0aVgQPBLnPsGb5DFv72Fiy4oiaJesIU4gt9GVzlSIFbWhdH_IlRoodz-Ofgc4pV/s320/DSCN1433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The finished product, bottled and ready to infuse the vodka with the rich taste of blackcurrants. Approximately 7-10 days of turning twice daily to help the mix should result in a full flavoured spirit. I'll test it on day 7 then if ready, I'll filter the spirit through a coffee filter paper into a sealable bottle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've never tried this recipe before so I will report back if sober when the week or ten days is over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, maybe if it works well, I'll try other flavourings, Raspberries, Tayberries or maybe some sort of blend of fruits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let me know if you try it too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-10056675451003361002011-05-29T16:38:00.000+01:002011-05-29T16:38:28.756+01:00Down came the rain...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniGBQV3LRVW1GRovnlTz_g7vVp6Lihyphenhyphents8hDOxORs_VLa1H7zOtbPRW3wnvaBcL_I4cbLkiRpJOTV2n8wFXSdn25rM0EoZmNQtAGjPXbBrL5ySXMKw9oyddi9y8DT7r-6baJkSWMWE2iq/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniGBQV3LRVW1GRovnlTz_g7vVp6Lihyphenhyphents8hDOxORs_VLa1H7zOtbPRW3wnvaBcL_I4cbLkiRpJOTV2n8wFXSdn25rM0EoZmNQtAGjPXbBrL5ySXMKw9oyddi9y8DT7r-6baJkSWMWE2iq/s320/039.JPG" width="240" /></a>Yes, the Strawberry Tower looks healthy but look below. the grass is browning off through the lack of rain. We last had a decent downpour in March. That's a long time and a lot of watering ago. We are fortunate on our site to have free water troughs provided but not everyone is as lucky. The last few weeks, as in every spring, has meant careful and regular tending of seedlings. Those first weeks of a plants establishment are vital and any traumatic experiences, such as drought or frost, can seriously stress the plant and detrimentally affect it beyond repair. Small incidents can trigger distortion of the leaves,stunted growth or a general weakness towards disease and pests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A lack of regular water is probably the most damaging thing a plant can experience at such an early stage in its development, with the exception of pest attack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like most gardeners, I water with a watering can, making several trips to and from the water trough on site each time I visit. Now, with each can carrying 9 litres, that's a lot of trips and a lot of water but if you ever wait and then scratch at the watered surface, you'll find the artificial rain hasn't penetrated that far down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's never easy to imitate natural rainfall so it was a great relief when the skies opened and poured that wonderful liquid down last week. The first time I managed to get to the plot after two days of heavy long showers the ground smelled of that sweet rich scent that always follows a much needed rain fall. The soil was darker and looked almost like it had swollen , gorged on the recent down pouring. The other sign of the rains effect was the visible growth on all the crops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rain we long for only comes if drizzle or swift, high impact showers that run off the surface and away before it can soak into the soil, where the roots can use it. When it rains slowly, consistently for a prolonged period, the soil swells like a full sponge and can release that stored goodness over a long time,providing the plants with all the water they need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing to remember when the rain doesn't fall is that even on a cloudy day, the plants will lose water through their leaves, a method described as transpiration. This is similar in principle to animals sweating. They also suffer from wind, but thankfully not in any way similar to animals!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wind on plants has the same effect as wind on your laundry. When it blows across, with or without the added sun, it dries things out. Dessication is the name of the game. Drying out the leaves and the soil beneath them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, water whenever it has been dry, not just when it's been sunny and hot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-71155532028679215622011-04-28T18:07:00.000+01:002011-04-28T18:07:29.931+01:00Admissions TimeOk, let's get it out in the open.<br />
No missus, not that!<br />
I AM A CHEAT!!<br />
Yes, a cheat. Here's why:<br />
<br />
There are some things in gardening you have to do carefully and by the book. Root division, applying weedkiller,pruning Clematis and others but there are areas when a little corner cutting can be beneficial.<br />
<br />
1.Weeding large areas of an allotment or even flower border can be back breaking work and even an endless task if the weeds are rife and the beds long or large enough so using a good weed cover membrane is acceptable. It helps to keep moisture in the ground at the roots too.<br />
2. Many plants produce thousands of seeds in every fruit pod or seed head. When you buy a packet of seeds, there is a minimum price that can be charged to cover the costs of production. Putting fewer seeds in won't cut cut costs so you often end up with more than a hundred seedlings when you only want half a dozen plants.<br />
In those cases, buying those plants may be more sensible and less wasteful than growing from seed.<br />
3. Some seeds require specialist treatments to germinate and sometimes to get them past the early stages of growth. The cost of equipment for these exotic delights can run rather high so, again, buy plants unless you really want to specialize.<br />
4. Onion sets. Not quite seed, not really plants. Grown to bulblet size then heat treated to suspend growth, these little beauties allow a head start for autumn planting and to avoid the risks of getting from seed to small plant stage.<br />
5. Watering is vital especially with containers and during the hotter months. It is also a hard, long and wearing task when you have a lot of containers or a large plot to water. Water retaining gel has been designed to hold some of the excess water from watering and to slowly release it over a period of time. This allows plants to access essential moisture when they need it, not just when you are able to provide it. This saves the plants a lot of damaging drought stress. Great if the weather changes while you're stuck in an office or away from home for the weekend. For the cheat, it can mean watering more but less frequently.<br />
6. Got a few large , deep planters to fill? Using shallow rooted plants? Don't like wasting compost or struggling to move big heavy tubs? Half fill the bottom of the container with polystyrene beads then fill as usual. The water will drain as normal but the tub won't be as heavy and the compost won't cost as much.<br />
Good policy for anyone planning a roof top garden as the weight will always be a consideration.<br />
7. Organic gardening is a very worthy and healthy choice but faced with a plot of head high brambles and bindweed it may seem the wrong choice. Glyphosate won't poison the soil and will make a quick job of an uphill task and give the gardener a little hope and a clean canvas to start off with.<br />
(I know many hardened organic gardeners will argue with the last tip: Let your conscience be your guide.)<br />
<br />
Try a few of these cheats yourself, add some of your own if you know of more. Sharing isn't cheating!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-39261990781235417662011-03-24T20:09:00.000+00:002011-03-24T20:09:27.736+00:00Red and Yellow and Purple and Greens<div style="text-align: center;">It takes ages but the last few weeks before it comes are agonizing. Yes, my beloved Purple Sprouting is ready finally. My Spring Onions are waiting for a decent salad day. Actually, I must confess, my wife did tell me we were having salad today but I forgot, otherwise we would have already been tucking into a couple of these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwfNX0C3pb2unw7QQbjrpwMSxN55Xz9iTX0KS_ZPkTjJt-tUQmbY6d0Nu4_pTFW82uErVs3I5iycaB2A8S0__GZj40ymub2AgKHGMLcKEq5MXUCE_NF3f2voLR4AAsk7pEpS_VPesYlwW/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwfNX0C3pb2unw7QQbjrpwMSxN55Xz9iTX0KS_ZPkTjJt-tUQmbY6d0Nu4_pTFW82uErVs3I5iycaB2A8S0__GZj40ymub2AgKHGMLcKEq5MXUCE_NF3f2voLR4AAsk7pEpS_VPesYlwW/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the proof of that lovely red brassica.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtPHMAxc1JDgU1xab0pJe7MVMUCS8N02vM6r2kcS_CoNePTylMu4QTRjnzcunihX9j2nX-K8rni8bQ8XdqmK_S2q07MdyfWa3uFxNxXePJFbm-_NyYJrURcA5BaIadl7kgh4MkIg7O_Qy/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtPHMAxc1JDgU1xab0pJe7MVMUCS8N02vM6r2kcS_CoNePTylMu4QTRjnzcunihX9j2nX-K8rni8bQ8XdqmK_S2q07MdyfWa3uFxNxXePJFbm-_NyYJrURcA5BaIadl7kgh4MkIg7O_Qy/s320/020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The plot in general is looking quite good. Yes, there is still grass creeping into the beds and the shed leans impossibly but otherwise, things look good. There are still Leeks to be consumed whilst next winter's crop has started the long journey already with seedlings coming through in a small pot. I am trying more Squash again this year. We have sown a selection of varieties in modules at home and I have filled a deep bed at the plot with fresh strawy manure and covered that with black pvc to warm up in preparation for the plants when they are big enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rXbVF8a7UMXm4r39qnQ3hMD2s2J3WExjGaZzpweI2BkPPy7ki2zWXPoRMF4H5dVSsWKtrhLkAgs028aWOoYIteyWS2lD7WEVeVzlJqLxH_8HBjute6g2e8sq-5pFnO3R6pTKDDlMiwnF/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rXbVF8a7UMXm4r39qnQ3hMD2s2J3WExjGaZzpweI2BkPPy7ki2zWXPoRMF4H5dVSsWKtrhLkAgs028aWOoYIteyWS2lD7WEVeVzlJqLxH_8HBjute6g2e8sq-5pFnO3R6pTKDDlMiwnF/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6d_Hwo7DAwZ8TzeHvjn6in6kea_nESUuc6C2ij1KUotQyNXu0kJbtfUFuogJEiF7se_lHmDGKxmJ3y8HmxEJLpEYvYwmWHQvUz4snJpSansHxz4qyWxxF91pKDQ1ph6fKu2iidAipnMc/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6d_Hwo7DAwZ8TzeHvjn6in6kea_nESUuc6C2ij1KUotQyNXu0kJbtfUFuogJEiF7se_lHmDGKxmJ3y8HmxEJLpEYvYwmWHQvUz4snJpSansHxz4qyWxxF91pKDQ1ph6fKu2iidAipnMc/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meanwhile, my obsession with constructing <strike>crap</strike> stuff continues apace. Some kind person or company delivered some old wooden packing cases to the site for us to use. The second lot although the previous were badly damaged and smaller. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAmX7dOXyilZquwWMJ5j4dV4EEtcapm01V7zryOWQhtU1zYjzCPUFszO3-5zFsnLZC7TPHiiJY6PDtDb13UHHx6axhxqJsv7Y_SLEMVbKgYKB5_9MAF3iKDO_nEZ1Q4SU-xw_5JLzG4d5/s1600/plotinmarch+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAmX7dOXyilZquwWMJ5j4dV4EEtcapm01V7zryOWQhtU1zYjzCPUFszO3-5zFsnLZC7TPHiiJY6PDtDb13UHHx6axhxqJsv7Y_SLEMVbKgYKB5_9MAF3iKDO_nEZ1Q4SU-xw_5JLzG4d5/s320/plotinmarch+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A couple of spare hinges I knew I had ferreted away somewhere, some left over felt from a previous maintenance job on the shed roof and I had myself a dry wood store or pot store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2swc9nEzfAbzaFfUqSsmkd_vBc9VV6IWuwzszYw5AC2FNE4p7Kle_m2To_QsUOgIZDKFVk4kgjbOGk_2TXezhUIUPEP8RDPz5QjvUDRCJ6xuhU96FMzNXsrEklsOpaAslKc1k_oGNlTVj/s1600/plotinmarch+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2swc9nEzfAbzaFfUqSsmkd_vBc9VV6IWuwzszYw5AC2FNE4p7Kle_m2To_QsUOgIZDKFVk4kgjbOGk_2TXezhUIUPEP8RDPz5QjvUDRCJ6xuhU96FMzNXsrEklsOpaAslKc1k_oGNlTVj/s320/plotinmarch+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTZcrV4BKhwPHL9EBh7KyYXDC6tDb_N_sKDX9vjYfETAGraKoylYLQ9kUJ7qawk_xQYITh61dwPzuvKzsFCFpvlZxgp-tkTwx5vebssqLSCaGKNFH2D6anFoeGTrsCNIBSoWYF1q4ZP93/s1600/plotinmarch+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTZcrV4BKhwPHL9EBh7KyYXDC6tDb_N_sKDX9vjYfETAGraKoylYLQ9kUJ7qawk_xQYITh61dwPzuvKzsFCFpvlZxgp-tkTwx5vebssqLSCaGKNFH2D6anFoeGTrsCNIBSoWYF1q4ZP93/s320/plotinmarch+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Job done! I just need a bigger shed. I should really stick to the tiny 6 x 4 I have because any more space will mean I just hoard more useless bits but I really could use something with room to stretch my legs when I stop for coffee or rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrMATXG5629Lsf5EHXZ8X6YI00UicQH1JAnL89EDGkG1JlBZucAlUFeBNFkzVaCpeKgjD2vFuL-q_AOHGbH5llJ1lH69pK6KMqey5enZJBpOo2Bd0J2sLMPF6FgUwP18Nf8WzG6yFi1ic/s1600/plotinmarch+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrMATXG5629Lsf5EHXZ8X6YI00UicQH1JAnL89EDGkG1JlBZucAlUFeBNFkzVaCpeKgjD2vFuL-q_AOHGbH5llJ1lH69pK6KMqey5enZJBpOo2Bd0J2sLMPF6FgUwP18Nf8WzG6yFi1ic/s320/plotinmarch+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah well, it's cosy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-34907779486685510902011-03-06T22:33:00.000+00:002011-03-06T22:33:33.296+00:00Getting a head startIt's so very nearly safe to start sowing seeds and planting out but there is still the risk of a frost. So, what can we do to stem this interminable itch to get out and get growing?<br />
Well, most hardy seed can be sown ,as the packets say, from mid to late March. This means with some clever trickery we can maybe grab an extra week or three and get some head way.<br />
We have a small mini greenhouse which we have used to harden off the seedlings my wife raised on a sunny windowsill. By starting them indoors and then, essentially, hardening the plants off, I have been able to plant them out when I should, according to the seed packets, be thinking about sowing.<br />
Like a lot of gardeners, I have been chitting seed potatoes for a few weeks. The soil was very friable, that is it was crumbling easily, and so I managed to prepare a couple of trenches and planted my salad and first early potatoes.<br />
I am still harvesting the leeks I planted out last year but due to the long growing season I have the next crop already sown and saw the first hair pin shaped seedling peaking through the soil in the make shift cold frame today. That's encouraging.<br />
Likewise, Purple Sprouting Broccoli takes forever to come to its full potential but that may just be my impatience playing up when it comes to delicious soups.<br />
That reminds me, I need to check my stock of Squash seed. Man cannot live by bread alone, he needs Butternut Squash!<br />
If you fancy trying something unusual like a Squash or Sweet Potatoes, it's a good idea to look at the family first.<br />
Squash for example are the family that includes many every day easy to grow staples, the Cucurbits. This means , if you know how to grow Courgettes, or you forget to check one day and find you know how to grow Marrows, you can grow Squash.<br />
Sweet Potatoes however, are a surprise. They are not, as one might expect, relatives of the Potato but are much more closely connected to the Bindweed family. As any allotment grower can testify, all you need to grow Bindweed is a tiny sliver of root to grow masses and masses. So if you want to grow Sweet Potato, you start with rooted slips not tubers.<br />
Anyway, time for some suggestions for things to do this month.<br />
If you need to dig, beds or borders, now is the time to get things finished before the drying winds and warmer sun bake the soil and also to allow the freshly turned sods to settle.<br />
If you have cloches or covers warming the soil already, you can start to sow early crops under them now, if you haven't, now is not too late to start warming the ground. Don't worry if you don't own a cloche or greenhouse, black polythene or cardboard will suffice.<br />
Prune Apple trees,Pears and any other hardy fruit trees or bushes.<br />
Continue planting out container grown Trees<br />
Prepare your soft fruit beds, strawberries need a good well manured clean base. Any existing strawberry beds will benefit from a good tidy up.<br />
Start thinking about preparing a trench for Runner beans. Digging a good trench now and filing it over the next few weeks will provide a good water reservoir and food store for these hungry climbers.<br />
Despite the cold winter, some lawns will have grown enough to warrant a light trim if the grass is dry. Just be sure to make it a light cut, only taking a little off the top please Barber!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-28813745881617092042011-03-05T13:41:00.000+00:002011-03-05T13:41:29.595+00:00Time to get startedYes, it is getting lighter out but let's not rush shall we?<br />
There is still the danger of frost until possibly as late as May. So don't rush out with your half hardy bedding or your greenhouse raised veg yet. If they haven't been completely hardened off, leave it a little longer.<br />
My Broad Beans (Vicia faba) have been sitting outside overnight for a little over a week and have a good rootball so it's time to get them out in the soil before they start to suffer from confined quarters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG00Ug8bXY5e168DQgFcFr6QaOKpqGJLSKKOwsw8c-KLVnus0EglGJ5wxThZbiC-spMLkY5SVK8aP6BolNirSCwBpwuMFPwy4IKRDI5U3-6GfIMO_e2iCTShSgNeHIkG9SDsKg11FydpDS/s1600/blog%252Cjen+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG00Ug8bXY5e168DQgFcFr6QaOKpqGJLSKKOwsw8c-KLVnus0EglGJ5wxThZbiC-spMLkY5SVK8aP6BolNirSCwBpwuMFPwy4IKRDI5U3-6GfIMO_e2iCTShSgNeHIkG9SDsKg11FydpDS/s320/blog%252Cjen+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Started in a module tray, the germination was a bit poor, only three quarters of the seeds came up, although one was breaking through the surface as I planted out yesterday. I have a small bed with soil that was manured last Autumn so was full of enough nutrition for these early starters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOEh7Mg9Xjnki12r5G6vVDLKhZd79EaUPD1nS5WAcrmGSffuFLZQMfWnzITANy8wtwHw4Z-bOVrsusYnii0GVJ0DCVsNjSy6gV_K0GCKduPafpxEAktJ7w1_nudEcan28kTRZTBwM-kHs/s1600/blog%252Cjen+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOEh7Mg9Xjnki12r5G6vVDLKhZd79EaUPD1nS5WAcrmGSffuFLZQMfWnzITANy8wtwHw4Z-bOVrsusYnii0GVJ0DCVsNjSy6gV_K0GCKduPafpxEAktJ7w1_nudEcan28kTRZTBwM-kHs/s320/blog%252Cjen+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ixDDoQ9vqhez7fM_fH36rWuXLL4NHvASkuqEZ7rIBE5Bx6FAyjDjD1XUfn5CRHU4th7q-ED-oI3Tnj4nErSqZ4snFrbef846MhbPC-jS9Gp0_UrA8jBGnrc7MuTZl8rMqPpOkh8U1FXP/s1600/blog%252Cjen+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ixDDoQ9vqhez7fM_fH36rWuXLL4NHvASkuqEZ7rIBE5Bx6FAyjDjD1XUfn5CRHU4th7q-ED-oI3Tnj4nErSqZ4snFrbef846MhbPC-jS9Gp0_UrA8jBGnrc7MuTZl8rMqPpOkh8U1FXP/s320/blog%252Cjen+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These beans will give an early start to the season and will hopefully be early enough to avoid the dreaded blackfly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Elsewhere on the plot, the long awaited and much anticipated Purple Sprouting Broccoli was showing some colour at last. I adore this vegetable either as an accompaniment or as a soup. Even the small heads covered in a cheese sauce, like a variation on cauliflower cheese works well. Any <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search.do?keywords=Purple%20sprouting%20broccoli&searchType=recipes">recipe</a> really!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqYnT7oaaREsypW74IXII3pPmdohnaKdyiPGMJuv8W7zrOGyNYSqnk8-CvJVnYgKK_DT-nmMcQbWTa-ZAhP9T0A44EOiCwOFKoA6PCYtUs_fcbHihMQoxJWR9fzuFyMB78iUAGcAMpwaT/s1600/blog%252Cjen+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqYnT7oaaREsypW74IXII3pPmdohnaKdyiPGMJuv8W7zrOGyNYSqnk8-CvJVnYgKK_DT-nmMcQbWTa-ZAhP9T0A44EOiCwOFKoA6PCYtUs_fcbHihMQoxJWR9fzuFyMB78iUAGcAMpwaT/s320/blog%252Cjen+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was time to do some housekeeping too. With the Autumn Rasperries starting to show new growth, it was time to cut the old canes down and clear some ground for the this seasons fruiting canes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv231pUhCQtG35ejOcVv9zTS12xVgzAPhBArLtcX7C9bettS6AqzNEmcHp7BzQFOituFtiMAACwKVH3B37XoOsf6JS1yOo0HTuzjrOB7ntPGO2BZEoFz1BxSlAl_CWTWH_o7pz6EZws5N/s1600/blog%252Cjen+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv231pUhCQtG35ejOcVv9zTS12xVgzAPhBArLtcX7C9bettS6AqzNEmcHp7BzQFOituFtiMAACwKVH3B37XoOsf6JS1yOo0HTuzjrOB7ntPGO2BZEoFz1BxSlAl_CWTWH_o7pz6EZws5N/s320/blog%252Cjen+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967961551993464061.post-73907640795175105522011-01-02T15:46:00.000+00:002011-01-02T15:46:11.699+00:00Looking Back, Staring Forward.I almost did the unmentionable yesterday, that is to say I had the calendar for 2010 in my hand and was about to tear it up to add to the compost heap. I suddenly recoiled and retreated, remembering just why I had started out adding scribbled notes to the dates.<br />
I had intended to use the calendar as a record of my sowings and plantings, recording the harvest times, the quantities and more. As it was, the sections for each day were too small to list enough as I generally did plenty on some visits and little when the soil or the time was against me.<br />
I have resigned myself to using the beautifully made journal my sister gave me for Christmas 2009 after resisting for over a year now. Each page is so wonderfully designed and perfect for the gardener and the various sections allow for my rambling,random entries so I will have to deface the perfection with my own writing this year.<br />
As for the smatterings of information on the calendar? I will start to compile a report on the last twelve months although to be honest, at first glance it starts in March and the snow put an end to things pretty much in late November so it will be a 9 month compilation at best.<br />
Stay tuned.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0