Last Sunday I asked my Strawberry farm friends for space to plonk some hives. It was a timely request. Mrs Strawberry farmer is a member of the local W.I. and the W.I. big resolution this year concerns the plight of the honey bee. I was asked if could come along to the meeting, the very next Tuesday, and say a few words about the problems that are faced by honey bees. I tried to get a handle on what was required but said yes anyway. I did some research on CCD [Colony Collapse Disorder]. As you will have gathered I have been doing quite a bot of research of bees recently anyway. The research took me to a few places and interesting articles. I made some notes and turned up at the appointed place at the appointed time, hair combed, clean hands and in a clean shirt.
The lady who was in charge of the resolution explained the resolution. It gave me a steer as to where to take the talk. I was the only bloke in the room of thirty ladies. I was given a chair adjacent to the top table which did nothing for my nerves. The meeting was called to order and one of the ladies bashed out "Jerusalem" on the piano as we all sung along. It was quite moving. The head lady made the announcements and thanked the judges that had come along to "mark" the cake competition and the flower arranging competition, both of which had been marked before the meeting started. There was a neat row of silver cups on the top table for the prize giving later in the evening. The agenda having been set the head lady gave an introduction to the resolution and introduced me as a "Real Beekeeper". I stood before thirty ladies sitting a tables arranged in two columns and four rows set in a chevron. It was a neat layout. The tables were covered with neat tablecloths. The ladies sat up straight in their chairs ready to receive information. The meeting was held in a brick built Village hall from 1908, it was all so English. If you imagine what it was like, your mental picture would probably be spot on.
I delivered what I had in my notes and that which I had rehearsed. I then opened the floor to questions. I answered them as best I could. I took about a dozen questions which seemed satisfy everyone. There was a natural break in the proceeding so the head lady stepped in and thanked me on behalf of the ladies present and adjourned the meeting for tea, sandwiches and cake. As I was a guest my plate was loaded up. A number of the ladies came over for more questions which I was happy to answer.
As the meeting was about to be called to order I excused myself so they could do the presentations. One lady caught me at the door and asked me my name and number. How do I handle this? Luckily she was the press officer. I got a call during the week from a W.I. lady who asked if I would like to go on the W.I. speakers circuit. We pay £30 an evening! I declined but said I would be happy to take them round the apiary if Mrs Strawberry farmer could manage the logistics. I said I would probably be able to do 40 minutes on bee life cycle later in the year. She said that would excellent and booked me for June next year. Perhaps it something I can do in the winter evenings. It will be handy if it turns a few quid.
A few days later a friend of mine asked me if a knew of an "expert beekeeper" that recently gave talk to the W.I. One of his colleagues was at the meeting. Apparently she enjoyed it, so that's good.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
"B"eautiful day
I have been wrestling with my conscience for a few weeks but I have finally settled on a course of action. Saturday was "D" day or should I say "B" day. A couple of weeks ago I found a chap who could provide me with a Nuc of Bees. I had to collect them from him on a farm near Rugby on Saturday evening. The weather has been very showery which it turned out held up the supplier. The Bees actually come from an apiary in mid Wales. I did not get the Nuc in to the car until 8pm. The weather gods let up and gave us a clear spell to transfer the Nuc. Whilst having a chat the chap took a call on his mobile. It was one of his customers ringing to let him down. I did a deal and ended up with a second Nuc at a discount.
Ed.."Nuc" is an abbreveation of "nucleus". A nuc is a mini hive for rearing Queens or transporting bees. In the absence of a swarm and new colony is started by purchasing a nuc of bees.
It was 9pm by the time I got home. I had to open up the Nucs so the bees could get out. It was to dark to do much so I set them up on up turned veg boxes and popped the doors off. It was dark and cool so the bees did not pour out as you might expect but tricked out. I took the precaution of putting my veil on just in case they were a bit umpty from being locked up all day and jiggled about. I should not have worried, they were quite calm. I am really pleased with them. There is not a lot of the Italian strains in the Bees. They are small and very black. Black Bees are the indigenous strain of the British Isles. They are not pure breed black bees but must carry a lot of the genes. I was too excited to sleep so made up the Brood frames I had bought earlier in the day.
H and I had got early on Saturday to go up to Wragby [It is the other side of Lincoln] where the UK premier bee equipment manufacturer and supplier, Thornes, is located. The shop is only open until noon on Saturday. We trundled up there but had a bit of bother finding the shop. The shop is huge and has everything you could need and a few things you never knew you needed. H and I took a turn round the shop to take everything in. Then we went round again filling up the shopping trolley. The shelves looked a bit thin on stock. H, as usual, got chatting to the lady and found that they were working twelve hours a day, six days a week to keep up with demand. This changed my thinking so we went round again. I ended up buying a complete hive plus a couple of other bits. It hurt but needs must. Inevitably, I forgot something and as the evening would show I was short a couple of items that are a short term cause for concern.
On the way back we dropped into Lincoln to have a walk round. We found a cafe first and had a sandwich and a brew. We then we went up to the castle and the church. We had a stroll round and found that Lincoln was Roman in origin. This sent H into raptures. We found the main gate which is still used as the road entrance to the old town. We next walk round to the Cathedral. The RSPB were out in force as a Peregrine falcon had nested all the way up in the bell tower and now had chicks. We had a look at all the old houses of which there are many. H resolved to have a weekend away in Lincoln exploring. Having reconnoitered Lincoln went set off home again and arrived a little after 3pm. I knocked together the hive in readiness for the evenings collection. There is more to it had just "knocking it together" but I will save that for another time.
I was up quite early on Sunday but the weather was not playing ball. H and I decided we go for a short walk. I, of course, had a destination in mind. We drove out the farm where the bees are to live. We parked in the copse and waited for the rain to abate. When it eased off we walked the quarter mile to the meadow were to bees are to reside. H and I had a good look round. The river Mease is on one side of the field. A drainage ditch bounds another side, A long hedge divides the meadow from the Strawberry fields and at the far end a simple fence closes the field off from the pasture. It is as lovely a spot as you could wish to find. Even I was moved by it. H waxed lyrically about the tranquillity, beauty and the birds. We took a few pictures. We spotted a few Nuthatch's running up the trees which is first for me. I also decided were the hives were to be placed.
It started to spot with rain. I could see the next shower floating in. We locked the gate and walk back towards the car through the poly tunnels of the Strawberry fields. The tunnels stopped short of the car. We walked the remaining couple hundred yards in light rain. We decided, that since we not soaked, to have a look round the copse. When we got to the far side the heavens opened. We legged it back to the car. The Sun was lighting the rain as it fell. If it had not been so heavy and wet it might have been a spectacle. H and I were laughing our heads off as we got to the car, opened the tail gate and stood in the shelter of it dripping wet. As we made our way off the farm we decided that we should get some sugar to fed the bees or the "ladies" as I call them. Sainsbugs do 5kg bags of sugar so got a couple of bags. The young lad on the tills made the mistake of asking H what all the sugar was for. H explained in full.
When we got home it started to look promising, i.e. it had stopped raining and blue between the clouds promised sun. As the sun came out the bees started flying. I went over and had a look. The ladies have made themselves at home and are collecting pollen, a sign the Queen is laying. I thought I would give them a hour or so the "stretch their legs" having been cooped up all the previous and most of today. This turned out to be a mistake. In the hour I made us some lunch, Asparagus and runny poached eggs, very nice. Next was to make up the bench the hives are to sit on. I painted it with wood preserver. By this time I had moved into the shed to finish off the painting, another shower! I packed the car up with tools for setting up the bee bench. Whilst all this was going on I had put on a pan of water and sugar to warm through. This would be syrup to feed the bees. I forgot about it. I thought that's a nice sweet smell and in an instant I realised what is was. I dashed into the kitchen just as the syrup boiled over. I cleaned up the mess then took the syrup outside to cool. The ladies had long since stopped flying so there no possibility moving them into their new hives.
I dropped in at the lottie to pick up my wheelbarrow and went back to the farm. I parked in the copse, filled up the barrow with tools and materials for the bee bench. Then back through the tunnels to pop out near the gate to the apiary. The legs of the bench are four meta-posts that I have saved from a previous application. I threw the frame on the floor to get an idea where the hive would be positioned. Having made a few adjustment I hammered in legs. I put the frame on top of the legs and checked it with the level. A couple of clouts with the sledge hammer evened up the legs. I screwed the frame to the legs and stepped back to admire my handy work. It looks fine. I put everything back in the barrow, closed the gate behind me then just leaned on it for five minutes drinking in the scene. Yes idyllic. The Chestnut trees are coming into bloom as is the Hawthorn. The hedgerow weeds are also out. A couple of pairs of the Swifts were darting up and down the river, jinking to bag an insect here and an insect there. H told me earlier in the day that she would come down the apiary with me just to read a book. No books for me. I pushed the barrow back to the car. It was a bit of a slog as it is up hill, a shower was blowing and it was sticky under foot. Upon getting back home I check in with the ladies. All being well I went over to Mo's and watered everything. If the weather would stay dry for a little while I could get the not so little seedling planted out. Next weeks is Bank Holiday so that might be the time I need.
I made H and Miss L a Ceasar salad with chicken for Tea. After tea was had and the kitchen cleaned, I sat down. I have planned next week for the bees. I just need the weather to be accommodating.
Ed.."Nuc" is an abbreveation of "nucleus". A nuc is a mini hive for rearing Queens or transporting bees. In the absence of a swarm and new colony is started by purchasing a nuc of bees.
It was 9pm by the time I got home. I had to open up the Nucs so the bees could get out. It was to dark to do much so I set them up on up turned veg boxes and popped the doors off. It was dark and cool so the bees did not pour out as you might expect but tricked out. I took the precaution of putting my veil on just in case they were a bit umpty from being locked up all day and jiggled about. I should not have worried, they were quite calm. I am really pleased with them. There is not a lot of the Italian strains in the Bees. They are small and very black. Black Bees are the indigenous strain of the British Isles. They are not pure breed black bees but must carry a lot of the genes. I was too excited to sleep so made up the Brood frames I had bought earlier in the day.
H and I had got early on Saturday to go up to Wragby [It is the other side of Lincoln] where the UK premier bee equipment manufacturer and supplier, Thornes, is located. The shop is only open until noon on Saturday. We trundled up there but had a bit of bother finding the shop. The shop is huge and has everything you could need and a few things you never knew you needed. H and I took a turn round the shop to take everything in. Then we went round again filling up the shopping trolley. The shelves looked a bit thin on stock. H, as usual, got chatting to the lady and found that they were working twelve hours a day, six days a week to keep up with demand. This changed my thinking so we went round again. I ended up buying a complete hive plus a couple of other bits. It hurt but needs must. Inevitably, I forgot something and as the evening would show I was short a couple of items that are a short term cause for concern.
On the way back we dropped into Lincoln to have a walk round. We found a cafe first and had a sandwich and a brew. We then we went up to the castle and the church. We had a stroll round and found that Lincoln was Roman in origin. This sent H into raptures. We found the main gate which is still used as the road entrance to the old town. We next walk round to the Cathedral. The RSPB were out in force as a Peregrine falcon had nested all the way up in the bell tower and now had chicks. We had a look at all the old houses of which there are many. H resolved to have a weekend away in Lincoln exploring. Having reconnoitered Lincoln went set off home again and arrived a little after 3pm. I knocked together the hive in readiness for the evenings collection. There is more to it had just "knocking it together" but I will save that for another time.
I was up quite early on Sunday but the weather was not playing ball. H and I decided we go for a short walk. I, of course, had a destination in mind. We drove out the farm where the bees are to live. We parked in the copse and waited for the rain to abate. When it eased off we walked the quarter mile to the meadow were to bees are to reside. H and I had a good look round. The river Mease is on one side of the field. A drainage ditch bounds another side, A long hedge divides the meadow from the Strawberry fields and at the far end a simple fence closes the field off from the pasture. It is as lovely a spot as you could wish to find. Even I was moved by it. H waxed lyrically about the tranquillity, beauty and the birds. We took a few pictures. We spotted a few Nuthatch's running up the trees which is first for me. I also decided were the hives were to be placed.
It started to spot with rain. I could see the next shower floating in. We locked the gate and walk back towards the car through the poly tunnels of the Strawberry fields. The tunnels stopped short of the car. We walked the remaining couple hundred yards in light rain. We decided, that since we not soaked, to have a look round the copse. When we got to the far side the heavens opened. We legged it back to the car. The Sun was lighting the rain as it fell. If it had not been so heavy and wet it might have been a spectacle. H and I were laughing our heads off as we got to the car, opened the tail gate and stood in the shelter of it dripping wet. As we made our way off the farm we decided that we should get some sugar to fed the bees or the "ladies" as I call them. Sainsbugs do 5kg bags of sugar so got a couple of bags. The young lad on the tills made the mistake of asking H what all the sugar was for. H explained in full.
When we got home it started to look promising, i.e. it had stopped raining and blue between the clouds promised sun. As the sun came out the bees started flying. I went over and had a look. The ladies have made themselves at home and are collecting pollen, a sign the Queen is laying. I thought I would give them a hour or so the "stretch their legs" having been cooped up all the previous and most of today. This turned out to be a mistake. In the hour I made us some lunch, Asparagus and runny poached eggs, very nice. Next was to make up the bench the hives are to sit on. I painted it with wood preserver. By this time I had moved into the shed to finish off the painting, another shower! I packed the car up with tools for setting up the bee bench. Whilst all this was going on I had put on a pan of water and sugar to warm through. This would be syrup to feed the bees. I forgot about it. I thought that's a nice sweet smell and in an instant I realised what is was. I dashed into the kitchen just as the syrup boiled over. I cleaned up the mess then took the syrup outside to cool. The ladies had long since stopped flying so there no possibility moving them into their new hives.
I dropped in at the lottie to pick up my wheelbarrow and went back to the farm. I parked in the copse, filled up the barrow with tools and materials for the bee bench. Then back through the tunnels to pop out near the gate to the apiary. The legs of the bench are four meta-posts that I have saved from a previous application. I threw the frame on the floor to get an idea where the hive would be positioned. Having made a few adjustment I hammered in legs. I put the frame on top of the legs and checked it with the level. A couple of clouts with the sledge hammer evened up the legs. I screwed the frame to the legs and stepped back to admire my handy work. It looks fine. I put everything back in the barrow, closed the gate behind me then just leaned on it for five minutes drinking in the scene. Yes idyllic. The Chestnut trees are coming into bloom as is the Hawthorn. The hedgerow weeds are also out. A couple of pairs of the Swifts were darting up and down the river, jinking to bag an insect here and an insect there. H told me earlier in the day that she would come down the apiary with me just to read a book. No books for me. I pushed the barrow back to the car. It was a bit of a slog as it is up hill, a shower was blowing and it was sticky under foot. Upon getting back home I check in with the ladies. All being well I went over to Mo's and watered everything. If the weather would stay dry for a little while I could get the not so little seedling planted out. Next weeks is Bank Holiday so that might be the time I need.
I made H and Miss L a Ceasar salad with chicken for Tea. After tea was had and the kitchen cleaned, I sat down. I have planned next week for the bees. I just need the weather to be accommodating.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Clarity
For the past few years I have been supporting a charity for blind people. It is called Clarity. Click HERE for their website. H rates the washing up liquid. apparently it goes along way. The hand sanitiser is great and come in a natty dispenser which she keeps in the car. The other kitchen cleaners are just as good. Clarity sell them as individual items or as packs with a mix of all items.
I have used the car pack. It comes in the smart little bag with a dense sponge. The wheel cleaner is very good as is the shampoo. And they deliver the goods to the door.
I have used the car pack. It comes in the smart little bag with a dense sponge. The wheel cleaner is very good as is the shampoo. And they deliver the goods to the door.
Hot and Cold
The weather is a bit odd at the moment. The Sun is hot when you are out of the wind but the wind keen. I have a greenhouse full of tender plants waiting for the air temperature to stay up. The lottie quite exposed so is always a degree or so cooler than the surrounding area. The weatherman gave out a frost risk so I thought I would keep the tenders at home for at least another week.
I was absolutely knackered after this week so I chose not to go to the lottie on Saturday. I did the poo run as usual but went we H and Miss L to Tamworth instead . When we got home I went over to Mo's to sort out the Toms. The plants are growing well. The side shoots need trimming out and the plants needs tying back the Tomatoes to the stake. This I did. The Toms are just coming into the their first set of flowers, which will in turn, be the first truss of Tomatoes. I have sixteen Tomoto plants to deal with which took about half an hour. It was quite a pleasant job.
I had a punt a few weeks ago and have been rewarded with ten handsom Blenhiem Orange melons seedlings. I had a chat with Beryl. Mo's missus, and she said that I could use the spare greenhouse for the melons. I just have to get some big pots for the melon seedlings and give the greenhouse glass a good wash.
Sunday was a bit different. I got to bed early and was able to get up early. I had bagged a couple of Asparagus spears when doing the poo run the previous day. H had seen a recipe in the Guardian with Asparagus. Since H was quite keen on the recipe so I made it for breakfast. It is called Gribiche.
The recipe serves four and is:
1 small Gherkin or ten Conchicons chapped finely
1 small finely chopped Shallot
2 tablespoons of caper finely chopped
1 tablespoon of chopped Parsley
A little grated Lemon zest
1 tablespoon Lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
Salt and Ground pepper to taste
1 Lightly boiled Egg. It has to be soft boiled
Combine all the other the ingredients in a bowl and set to one side.
Lightly boil one egg, it must still be runny, and prepare the Asparagus, steam or boil.
Plate up the Asparagus with Gribiche and toast on the side. I did all this and all accompanied by hot Tea. H loved it. I liked it.
After breakfast I went of the the lottie for a few hours. I planted a Buddilia in the lottie hedge line. I took a cutting of the Buddilia at the back end of last year and grew it on over the winter. It made a handsom plant which was ready for planting out. That done I finally dug up the Burdock. It went down 18 inches. I managed to get the whole root out. I am not sure what I am going to do with four good sided roots. I reinstated the soil and raked over the whole area to get back to a flat seed bed.
Next up was planting some seeds. I dropped in four rows of White King Parsnips, two rows or Salsify and finally two rows of Carrots; one Nairobi and one of Paris [a globe variety]. I had set my phone alarm for 12.30. By the time the alarm went off I had finished all the above plus watering the Vines, Pea [which are not doing so well], Cabbage and Rhubarb. I had a brew and sandwiches before going off for my two o'clock appoiment. More of which I will tell you when it is sealed.
I was absolutely knackered after this week so I chose not to go to the lottie on Saturday. I did the poo run as usual but went we H and Miss L to Tamworth instead . When we got home I went over to Mo's to sort out the Toms. The plants are growing well. The side shoots need trimming out and the plants needs tying back the Tomatoes to the stake. This I did. The Toms are just coming into the their first set of flowers, which will in turn, be the first truss of Tomatoes. I have sixteen Tomoto plants to deal with which took about half an hour. It was quite a pleasant job.
I had a punt a few weeks ago and have been rewarded with ten handsom Blenhiem Orange melons seedlings. I had a chat with Beryl. Mo's missus, and she said that I could use the spare greenhouse for the melons. I just have to get some big pots for the melon seedlings and give the greenhouse glass a good wash.
Sunday was a bit different. I got to bed early and was able to get up early. I had bagged a couple of Asparagus spears when doing the poo run the previous day. H had seen a recipe in the Guardian with Asparagus. Since H was quite keen on the recipe so I made it for breakfast. It is called Gribiche.
The recipe serves four and is:
1 small Gherkin or ten Conchicons chapped finely
1 small finely chopped Shallot
2 tablespoons of caper finely chopped
1 tablespoon of chopped Parsley
A little grated Lemon zest
1 tablespoon Lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
Salt and Ground pepper to taste
1 Lightly boiled Egg. It has to be soft boiled
Combine all the other the ingredients in a bowl and set to one side.
Lightly boil one egg, it must still be runny, and prepare the Asparagus, steam or boil.
Plate up the Asparagus with Gribiche and toast on the side. I did all this and all accompanied by hot Tea. H loved it. I liked it.
After breakfast I went of the the lottie for a few hours. I planted a Buddilia in the lottie hedge line. I took a cutting of the Buddilia at the back end of last year and grew it on over the winter. It made a handsom plant which was ready for planting out. That done I finally dug up the Burdock. It went down 18 inches. I managed to get the whole root out. I am not sure what I am going to do with four good sided roots. I reinstated the soil and raked over the whole area to get back to a flat seed bed.
Next up was planting some seeds. I dropped in four rows of White King Parsnips, two rows or Salsify and finally two rows of Carrots; one Nairobi and one of Paris [a globe variety]. I had set my phone alarm for 12.30. By the time the alarm went off I had finished all the above plus watering the Vines, Pea [which are not doing so well], Cabbage and Rhubarb. I had a brew and sandwiches before going off for my two o'clock appoiment. More of which I will tell you when it is sealed.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Failed
The comments facility has been switch off. I tried it for a week. My life is too busy to think about if there has been a posting, what has been posted and compose a response. I started the blog as a kind of diary. The blog is only a very small portion of what I would write in a diary given that is so public but it has proved quite useful in providing record of activities of the allotment.
One such record is that I personally heard a cuckoo at the weekend. Other people have told me they have heard it but wanted my own experience. H and I were sat in the garden just having a minute before dinner when the Cuckoo chimed in with it's familiar song. We sat there for about five minutes listening. It is not a very complicated song but strangely hypnotic. Why is the Cuckoo a big deal? Two reasons:
A. They are in decline
B. Tradition has it that last year's harvest of apple juice should be ready to drink as Cider when the first Cuckoo sings.
I can tell you it is ready. I will be bottling it this weekend coming and no doubt measuring it strength by my special method i.e having many glasses and trying to remember when the Cider took effect. I do not test it for my own benefit but for the guest drinkers. We have had a few epic adventures with home brew. So beware if you offered a tipple.
One such record is that I personally heard a cuckoo at the weekend. Other people have told me they have heard it but wanted my own experience. H and I were sat in the garden just having a minute before dinner when the Cuckoo chimed in with it's familiar song. We sat there for about five minutes listening. It is not a very complicated song but strangely hypnotic. Why is the Cuckoo a big deal? Two reasons:
A. They are in decline
B. Tradition has it that last year's harvest of apple juice should be ready to drink as Cider when the first Cuckoo sings.
I can tell you it is ready. I will be bottling it this weekend coming and no doubt measuring it strength by my special method i.e having many glasses and trying to remember when the Cider took effect. I do not test it for my own benefit but for the guest drinkers. We have had a few epic adventures with home brew. So beware if you offered a tipple.
Monday, May 04, 2009
First Bank Holiday in May
Although this weekend in the UK is a Bank Holiday I did not get any significant extra time at the lottie. H went to a East Midlands air ambulance fund raiser on Friday evening. We had thought that we would go for a long walk on Saturday but H's knees were not up to it having danced all Friday night. I went to the lottie for the greater part of the day. I had a few jobs to do but the major job was to plant the main crop spuds. I had the the Cara's [main crop variety] chitting in the shed for the past month. Some folks think it is a bit late to be planting spuds. If you were to look around the fields near me you will still find machines working the fields planting spuds. I did figure that I could not delay much longer.
I had ten rows, five rows each of earlies, of spuds already in bed B. I counted the spuds I had, weeded out the damaged or weak seed spuds and came up with enough spuds for nine rows of main crop. I set out the string and set to digging the first trench. Having got the first row in I reckoned that I could probably squeeze in seven more rows. That was the case. Dropping a row just meant sorting the spuds again to have the best seed spuds available. I dug the rows a bit closer that the prevailing wisdom but to compensate I dug them in deeper. Despite the dryer weather the soil at ten inches deep was quite moist. It took me ages to get them all in. I had a few visitors to break up the work.
Having finished the spuds I moved onto the Broccoli patch. I picked over the remaining sprouting tips before digging up the last of the plants. I took the plants to the big compo bin and chopped them up before feeding the bin. Then back to the patch to dig it over to remove the few weeds. When I finished the digging I hoed the weeds off the adjacent area to the broccoli then got busy with the rake to level the top third of bed D in readiness for root crops.
I had a tray full of Hispi cabbage, that I grown at Mo's, ready for planting out. I soaked the tray and went about prepping the area of Bed A where I had previously dug in the Clover. There were a few dock showing through so I went round the bed a dug them out. Cabbage like very firm soil. I trampled the ground, raked the soil, trampled it again then more raking. The bed came up flat and fine. Then it was just a case of planting out the eighteen Hispis and watering them in. The soil that had that the clover dug in was at least an inch if not two inches higher than the adjacent area that had no green manure. It will be interesting to see if the Clover makes any other difference.
A few more Asparagus spears were ready so I harvested them and had them for breakfast on Sunday with Eggs and toast. That set me up for the rest of the day. We went to Shrewsbury to have lunch with H's Mum. It was just as well because it had been raining over night. It saved me watering duty. We dined at a nice pub a few miles from Shrewsbury and to our surprise H's sister and hubby turned up out of the blue, which was nice.
Monday we went for the walk, postponed from Saturday. We went to Hartington in the Peak district and did a circular walk out to Longnor and back.
I had ten rows, five rows each of earlies, of spuds already in bed B. I counted the spuds I had, weeded out the damaged or weak seed spuds and came up with enough spuds for nine rows of main crop. I set out the string and set to digging the first trench. Having got the first row in I reckoned that I could probably squeeze in seven more rows. That was the case. Dropping a row just meant sorting the spuds again to have the best seed spuds available. I dug the rows a bit closer that the prevailing wisdom but to compensate I dug them in deeper. Despite the dryer weather the soil at ten inches deep was quite moist. It took me ages to get them all in. I had a few visitors to break up the work.
Having finished the spuds I moved onto the Broccoli patch. I picked over the remaining sprouting tips before digging up the last of the plants. I took the plants to the big compo bin and chopped them up before feeding the bin. Then back to the patch to dig it over to remove the few weeds. When I finished the digging I hoed the weeds off the adjacent area to the broccoli then got busy with the rake to level the top third of bed D in readiness for root crops.
I had a tray full of Hispi cabbage, that I grown at Mo's, ready for planting out. I soaked the tray and went about prepping the area of Bed A where I had previously dug in the Clover. There were a few dock showing through so I went round the bed a dug them out. Cabbage like very firm soil. I trampled the ground, raked the soil, trampled it again then more raking. The bed came up flat and fine. Then it was just a case of planting out the eighteen Hispis and watering them in. The soil that had that the clover dug in was at least an inch if not two inches higher than the adjacent area that had no green manure. It will be interesting to see if the Clover makes any other difference.
A few more Asparagus spears were ready so I harvested them and had them for breakfast on Sunday with Eggs and toast. That set me up for the rest of the day. We went to Shrewsbury to have lunch with H's Mum. It was just as well because it had been raining over night. It saved me watering duty. We dined at a nice pub a few miles from Shrewsbury and to our surprise H's sister and hubby turned up out of the blue, which was nice.
Monday we went for the walk, postponed from Saturday. We went to Hartington in the Peak district and did a circular walk out to Longnor and back.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Bloggery
I have been reading various blogs recently. A couple of things struck me. Without going into the details I decided to open the blog to comments. We will see how it goes. Have fun.
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