The weekend of the 8/9th April was a rest from the allotment, work and the house. We were invited to Newark Park to stay with friends, The Peter's at a National Trust property. I only had the weekend but the girls stayed for the whole of the following week returning on Good Friday. Newark Park is a very old hunting lodge but it not a shed in the forest. It perches on the very edge on the cotwolds vallys looking South West towards Bristol some fifty miles distant. Search the National Trust website for Newark Park It was a very splendid respite from the effort expended since Christmas.
I returned to Moira on Monday morning to fit the central heating in the house. I would be able to pull the floors up without being under pressure to put things right each evening for the "ladies". In the evenings I was able to sow trays and trays of seeds. I have a greenhouse full of sprouting things. I am at a stage where I have to plant things out or get congested in the greenhouse. I was surprised to find the roof window on the greenhouse wide open. It took a moment to register that the automatic window opener must be working. I do not know why it should have been a surprise. Was it because it was cheap or because I managed to fit and adjust it correctly?
The Easter weekend came upon us and yet I still had not had any quality time at the allotment. I resolved to find the time. H & L had shopping to do on Saturday so whilst they were gone I made my escape. The quarter of the plot which was down the potatoes last year was covered in weeds however it was a very different covering to what I had experienced in the past. Instead of vigorous Dock, I had a low growing covering of Chick weed, Red nettle and assorted vetches. I called it my Camomile lawn although there was no camomile in it the effect was the same. In this bed was a single Broad Bean plant which had bee growing all winter. I had decided that the seed was probably pinched by a mouse from the actual Broad Bean bed ten feet alway. I guessed the mouse dropped it in it's flight from something. It just goes to show that we are not instrumental the cultivatation of plants. When I harvested the spuds last year I tidied up the bad by heaping the earth up to form deep "gutters" around the bed. I supposed the heaped soil would dry out quicker and some would wash in the gutters creating a flatter aspect in the Spring than in the winter. As it happened the weeds grew and served to hold the soil together which now means I have to weed the plot to:
A. removes the weeds and
B. allow me to rake the beds out to a growing surface.
The soil being quite dry on the surface allowed the Mattock to drive in up to the shaft with hardy any effort. I then just grabbed the weeds by the handful, gave them a good shake to remove the soli the then threw them in the waiting barrow. The bending over was the hard part but the work was easy and progress was easy. When I had filled the wheelbarrow I got the rake out and pushed and shoved the soil about until it was level. Ten minutes of energetic raking gave me a level surface with a fine tilth. One wheelbarrow full of weeds equals and area 12 foot by 15 foot and a stop for tea.
The flask has come into is own just recently. During the winter it was too cold to stop for tea. One went to the allotment. Got hot and sweaty doing whatever job was in hand and then one went home. A couple of hours outdoors was quite enough. Now the Spring is here the wind is still cold but out of the wind in the back of the car is quite pleasant. A nice cup of tea can be had in relevant comfort and allows me to stay out for longer.
If Easter Saturday was a treat, Easter Monday was like Christmas. The weather was sunny as Saturday but the wing had dropped. In time honoured fashion the tempreature shot up just as if one was at the sea side with the wind breaks up. A couple of hours were spent weeding and raking out the "camomile lawn". Then the bit I have been working towards for months, planting!
I started the bed with a row of Elephant Garlic and then three rows of "normal" garlic [Sutton white]. Next two rows of Shallots [new for me this year]. Next three rows of sets Red Baron [Red onions] and then three rows of sets of Sturon [white onions]. Then three rows of Parsnips. Each row had a second sowing of a catch crop. Parsnip take about a month the germinate so the catch crop has two jobs, one the mark the rows as the crop grows so I don't weed out thedelicate sub- terrianian shoots and two, to bag a crop from the same space. Each rows contained French Breakfast Radish, Red spring onions and Lisbon [white] spring onions respectively. And finally as time grew short and row of Sugersnax carrots. Last year as a joke as far as carrots where concerned. I had four goes at sowing seeds and only received a handful of mature roots. What I havested were very sweet and tasty but they most bizarrely shaped. The main cause is that I did not thin them out which made them compete and I think they could have done with more water. A general problem last year was that I planted everything to close together.
On another front the permanent beds of Rhubarb and Comfry are making themselves known. They both look healthy. The two Globe Artichokes have had different winters. One is dead and the other alive. It does not get any differnt than that. I have resolved to grow more Globe Artichoke. I had some whilst I was on holiday and though it very tasty.
The nights are stretching out so I much make use of them the get the final bed ready for the Brasicass. It just needs a going over to remove the couple of dozen docks. These are growing from bits of root left from last years weeding of the peas section.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Monday, April 03, 2006
April showers
Having had no time, in the last few weeks, to blog or allotment made this weekend was a pleasant change. Saturday [01.04.06] The light pouring in through my bedroom window, despite the blinds, was the trigger to get up early and get stuck in. My daughter who had been away all the previous week with school at an outward bound centre in Wales was still abed. I breakfasted lightly, loaded the car and shot of the allotment with a flask of tea for company. For several hours I was the only one at the allotment which was a treat in itself.
I had decided that the last of the leek were to be harvested and the plot cleared. I had also resolved to clear the Sprouting broccoli patch. I had known the Pigeons would enjoy the broccoli if they were allowed too and that the winter storms might damage the plants. So to address the problem I fleeced the entire area. However the wind kept blowing the fleece off or ripping it on the supports. Either way the Pigeons had a feast through out the winter. It was with a heavy heart I removed the remains the "protection" only to find quite a few good looking plants. The shoots were fairly small but yielded a big basket full. I dug up the plants and confirmed what I had thought which was that I set them to close together. A lesson for this year! I lightly dug the plot over a removed all the weeds. Mostly Dock but very few. The broccoli must have out competed them together with my weeding.
The leek were rotting in the ground and it was a slimy job to removed them. Again a few leek were in good order so they went in the basket with the broccoli. I lightly dug that plot over removed the weeds. This quarter of the allotment is going to be Legumes this year. They a greedy blighters so a lot a manure needs to be dug in. I thought to myself that the compost bins, although looking a bit low must has a harvest to be had. Close inspection showed there was probably about ten barrow loads available. I have three compost bins. One is fully of horse manure. One had all the bits and bobs from around the allotment. I had just cleared this one out so a could start a new pile with the tidy up of the broccoli patch and of course the bin with last years compost.
I had thought it would plant my early potatoes and Garlic but it was dinner time and I had promised H I would take her to look at some bedroom furniture whilst the daughter was at her friend s for the afternoon. I checked the Rhubarb on leaving and am happy to report that one of the two plants is just poking its head through the manure blanket it has had covering it all winter. The Comfrey is sprouting. I intend to make Comfrey tea this year but I will have to find somewhere to put the water butt first.
The weather man promised a sunny start to the day and showers later. The Garlic and seed potatoes where put back in the car along with t tools and flask. Again I was first down to the allotment but not for long. I dug my potato trenches and drop a barrow of manure in each one followed by nine potatoes per row. A seven kilo bag did five rows which I find is a nice quantity for a harvest. The spuds are International Kidney which are marketed as "Jersey Royals". I have decided to call mine "Moira Royals". I should be able to harvest them found sixteen weeks onwards. I made a nice job of planting them if I do say so myself. I then thought that I would prepare the Legume plot. With the trusty Mattock is set about weeding the plot. It was a pleasant surprise to see how few weeds there were. The Parsnips that held that position last year made a good job of supressing the weeds. Having weeded and roughly leveled the plot I got busy with the rake. The soil came up light and fluffy and is now almost as level a billiard table. Then starting at the top of the plot I barrowed load after load of compost from the bins. I just dumped the compost on the soil by the path and spread the pile around with the fork. The compo was full of worms so I do not think it will take them long to drag the goodness into the newly tilled earth. Almost from the moment I got there spiteful light showers drifted across the sky. They gave me a moment to sit in the back of the car with car of tea from the flask to rest and survey the plot. The garlic which I have been growing in pots is no nearer being planted. That plot is the next job. That plot had the potatoes in last year and I did not make use of the space and now the chickweed has take hold with avengeance. As the clock ticked round to one PM a shower kicked in. I had seen the black clouds rolling in. Something had to be coming with such a string wind. I kept on barrowing and spreading thinking I could get the compo bin emptied if I ignored the shower. Then the sting of hail was felt on the my ears and then the down pour started. I got caught half way up the path with a full barrow. I had to dump and spread the load, then put the barrow away before I ran for cover. But where to go? There is no shelter at the allotment so I stripped off my wet overalls and got in the car as quickly as I could. The rain, as if knowing it had beaten me, kicked in an increase in the down pour. I turned the key in the ignition and made my way out. By the time I got to the gates at the main road the fury of the storm had abated but it was time to go home for lunch.
I had decided that the last of the leek were to be harvested and the plot cleared. I had also resolved to clear the Sprouting broccoli patch. I had known the Pigeons would enjoy the broccoli if they were allowed too and that the winter storms might damage the plants. So to address the problem I fleeced the entire area. However the wind kept blowing the fleece off or ripping it on the supports. Either way the Pigeons had a feast through out the winter. It was with a heavy heart I removed the remains the "protection" only to find quite a few good looking plants. The shoots were fairly small but yielded a big basket full. I dug up the plants and confirmed what I had thought which was that I set them to close together. A lesson for this year! I lightly dug the plot over a removed all the weeds. Mostly Dock but very few. The broccoli must have out competed them together with my weeding.
The leek were rotting in the ground and it was a slimy job to removed them. Again a few leek were in good order so they went in the basket with the broccoli. I lightly dug that plot over removed the weeds. This quarter of the allotment is going to be Legumes this year. They a greedy blighters so a lot a manure needs to be dug in. I thought to myself that the compost bins, although looking a bit low must has a harvest to be had. Close inspection showed there was probably about ten barrow loads available. I have three compost bins. One is fully of horse manure. One had all the bits and bobs from around the allotment. I had just cleared this one out so a could start a new pile with the tidy up of the broccoli patch and of course the bin with last years compost.
I had thought it would plant my early potatoes and Garlic but it was dinner time and I had promised H I would take her to look at some bedroom furniture whilst the daughter was at her friend s for the afternoon. I checked the Rhubarb on leaving and am happy to report that one of the two plants is just poking its head through the manure blanket it has had covering it all winter. The Comfrey is sprouting. I intend to make Comfrey tea this year but I will have to find somewhere to put the water butt first.
The weather man promised a sunny start to the day and showers later. The Garlic and seed potatoes where put back in the car along with t tools and flask. Again I was first down to the allotment but not for long. I dug my potato trenches and drop a barrow of manure in each one followed by nine potatoes per row. A seven kilo bag did five rows which I find is a nice quantity for a harvest. The spuds are International Kidney which are marketed as "Jersey Royals". I have decided to call mine "Moira Royals". I should be able to harvest them found sixteen weeks onwards. I made a nice job of planting them if I do say so myself. I then thought that I would prepare the Legume plot. With the trusty Mattock is set about weeding the plot. It was a pleasant surprise to see how few weeds there were. The Parsnips that held that position last year made a good job of supressing the weeds. Having weeded and roughly leveled the plot I got busy with the rake. The soil came up light and fluffy and is now almost as level a billiard table. Then starting at the top of the plot I barrowed load after load of compost from the bins. I just dumped the compost on the soil by the path and spread the pile around with the fork. The compo was full of worms so I do not think it will take them long to drag the goodness into the newly tilled earth. Almost from the moment I got there spiteful light showers drifted across the sky. They gave me a moment to sit in the back of the car with car of tea from the flask to rest and survey the plot. The garlic which I have been growing in pots is no nearer being planted. That plot is the next job. That plot had the potatoes in last year and I did not make use of the space and now the chickweed has take hold with avengeance. As the clock ticked round to one PM a shower kicked in. I had seen the black clouds rolling in. Something had to be coming with such a string wind. I kept on barrowing and spreading thinking I could get the compo bin emptied if I ignored the shower. Then the sting of hail was felt on the my ears and then the down pour started. I got caught half way up the path with a full barrow. I had to dump and spread the load, then put the barrow away before I ran for cover. But where to go? There is no shelter at the allotment so I stripped off my wet overalls and got in the car as quickly as I could. The rain, as if knowing it had beaten me, kicked in an increase in the down pour. I turned the key in the ignition and made my way out. By the time I got to the gates at the main road the fury of the storm had abated but it was time to go home for lunch.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Busy busy busy
To busy to post. The weather has been against me at the allotment but the seeds in the greenhouse are coming along. The garlic is doing very well in their youghut pots. They must go to the allotment soon. The new shed is doing a good job of keep the seed potatoes and onion sets from sprouting in the dark and cool conditions. I have to get the roots bed going at the allotment for the onions and garlic. The last of the Leeks are to be dug up to clear the space for lots manure for the Peas and Sweet Corn. The fight is over for the Sprouting Brocolli. The wind and Pigeons have put paid to a gallant show. I shall be growing these again but with better protection from the Pigeons.
In the back garden at home I have been able to make a start on moving the small upper garden terrace. I have moved enough of it to plant the last Hawthorn tree. I just have to move some of the better terrace soil onto the roof of the shed and that then ready for planting up.
Whilst clearing out the old shed out I found a big onion sack full of Daffodil bulbs. They have been left out in the light and have started sprouting so it time to find a home for several hundred bulbs.
In the back garden at home I have been able to make a start on moving the small upper garden terrace. I have moved enough of it to plant the last Hawthorn tree. I just have to move some of the better terrace soil onto the roof of the shed and that then ready for planting up.
Whilst clearing out the old shed out I found a big onion sack full of Daffodil bulbs. They have been left out in the light and have started sprouting so it time to find a home for several hundred bulbs.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
A new plan
I had this idea that I would double dig the final part of my allotment over the winter but it seems the weather and family commitment have conspired to keep me away from my spade and manure heap. As I type is there snow showers in the air so I can not dig today and spring will be on us soon. So I have decided that instead of double digging the final part of my plot before the poatoes go in I shall dig out the worst of the weeds from around the edge of the plot. When that is done and I come to dig the trenches for the spuds I shall line the trench with lot of manure. They will not mind and by the time I have ridged them up a couple if times and harverted the bounty the area will have been comprensively turned over.
It sounds like a great plan. Now if it would just stop snowing.
It sounds like a great plan. Now if it would just stop snowing.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
The Newhall Potato Men
Our Allotment Society does not have a shop but we know of an Allotment Society that does, Newal. The shop is a revelation. Firstly it is a shop! Most allotment shops are run from what looks like a bunker on the site. Secondly, Newal do not have any allotments anymore, but I do not know the reason for that, so it might not be true. Thirdly, it is only open on Saturday mornings. The revelation comes when step inside. The first room you step into is a little dim, there being no natural light except for the door you just come in. The air smells of earth. Pallets of compost and grow bags are stacked around the room. There is no heating so it can be relly cold, the sort that cuts to the bone. Off to the right is a door into the shop proper. In there it is all light and warm. There is a counter down the left side of the room behind which, up on the wall is the price list. On the other wall is shelving of things; little bottles of this and that, plastic pots, strings, ties, labels, tonic for plants and Jeyes fuild.
The chaps who run the shop are a bunch of characters; a small, slim, easy going fellow, a tall grumpy chap despite his demeanor can not help but help and middling sort a chap who is the runner and obviously serving his time before assending the ranks.
You have to get there early, especially at his time of year as they open extra early for the collection of seed potato, shallot and onion set orders that were placed before Christmas. Compost and fertiliser disppear with the steady flow of customers. Spend more than a few minutes inthe shop and some aged gardener will roll in, have a bit a banter with the chaps behind the counter, pay his dues then return to his car to supervise the loading.
They also sell powders and potions in small bags such old style fertilisers Blood, fish & bone or Onion fertilser, pelletised chicken manure, Lime etc. The things they sell are not bargain basment prices but they in no fuss bags filled from industrial size sacks so the price is a little less than Garden Centre prices. There is a knowledge of what is required. Bamboo canes are about 20mm 3/4inch thick not the 10mm 1/4inch items sold at garden centres. The chaps know what weight the canes are going to be under whilst holding up countless runner beans. The goods are normally the best quality for a reasonable price. For my part I would happily pay a little extra just to see them continue.
The chaps who run the shop are a bunch of characters; a small, slim, easy going fellow, a tall grumpy chap despite his demeanor can not help but help and middling sort a chap who is the runner and obviously serving his time before assending the ranks.
You have to get there early, especially at his time of year as they open extra early for the collection of seed potato, shallot and onion set orders that were placed before Christmas. Compost and fertiliser disppear with the steady flow of customers. Spend more than a few minutes inthe shop and some aged gardener will roll in, have a bit a banter with the chaps behind the counter, pay his dues then return to his car to supervise the loading.
They also sell powders and potions in small bags such old style fertilisers Blood, fish & bone or Onion fertilser, pelletised chicken manure, Lime etc. The things they sell are not bargain basment prices but they in no fuss bags filled from industrial size sacks so the price is a little less than Garden Centre prices. There is a knowledge of what is required. Bamboo canes are about 20mm 3/4inch thick not the 10mm 1/4inch items sold at garden centres. The chaps know what weight the canes are going to be under whilst holding up countless runner beans. The goods are normally the best quality for a reasonable price. For my part I would happily pay a little extra just to see them continue.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Colder by night
It is been a frustrating week. I am definitely hampered by having to work for a living even if the nights are getting longer and I am still the Secretary of the Allotment Society. The thermometer has rarely got over 4 degrees C for the last few weeks which means digging at the allotment is out of the question. However this means I have been able to get on with the shed although not H's Birthday weekend. I took my Dad to the Newall Potato men. Their place is a throw back to the fifties. I tell you more about them another time. My order of Cara and international Kidney were waiting for me. My Rockets from last year are chitting away. I only have to dig the manure in and I have cracked it.
The shed door went on and the floor went down this weekend. Well, most of the floor. I have had twelve one metre lengths of decking hanging about the garden since I put laid the decking in the new patio area three years ago. I knew they would come in and now, with a little trimming, form the great part of the shed floor. I have only had to buy a couple of metres to finish off the floor. That goes in tonight. Four cuts and sixteen screws and the shed is serviceable. I have a few bits to do on the back panel and the ceiling needs covering but the major job is done. I can now move the stuff that has been collecting in the garage into the shed. I have all summer to finish the twiddly bits on the outside and organise the shelving on the inside ready for my harvest.
It was H's birthday last weekend so my parents came down for the weekend. Some of our old friends from Manchester came too. It was a lovely weekend. Dad gave me hand to plant the Willow that arrived during the week which from my hedge. H and I had a ceremoniously planting the two of the Hazel and one of the Hawthorn in the garden as well. I managed to move the fruit bushes into tubs to make them portable, since the new trees would certainly compete with them..
I went up to the allotment 04.03.06 and found the ground frozen solid to a depth of half an inch. It did not stop me digging up a Leek or two to go into today's dinner, stew. This time next year I hope to be eating stew made with all my own root vegetables. We are nearly out of potatoes [Cara]. The Rocket have stated chitting so there is a lesson learnt. Plant your earlies early and harvest them early. Leave main crop to be lates and harvest them accordingly. I had this idea that I would plant some earlies late in the season as catch crop. It worked to a degree. I got a crop but it was hit hard by blight, also they have not kept that well and are chitting for England. I won't be leaving the spuds in the ground this year. As soon as they a ready they will be out of the ground and hopefully out of the clutches of the Blight. I lost the equivalent of four bags of spuds to blight. You live and learn. The Garlic has been potted up and is getting away. I think I will start sowing small amount of seeds next week in the greenhouse. Better get back to work.
The shed door went on and the floor went down this weekend. Well, most of the floor. I have had twelve one metre lengths of decking hanging about the garden since I put laid the decking in the new patio area three years ago. I knew they would come in and now, with a little trimming, form the great part of the shed floor. I have only had to buy a couple of metres to finish off the floor. That goes in tonight. Four cuts and sixteen screws and the shed is serviceable. I have a few bits to do on the back panel and the ceiling needs covering but the major job is done. I can now move the stuff that has been collecting in the garage into the shed. I have all summer to finish the twiddly bits on the outside and organise the shelving on the inside ready for my harvest.
It was H's birthday last weekend so my parents came down for the weekend. Some of our old friends from Manchester came too. It was a lovely weekend. Dad gave me hand to plant the Willow that arrived during the week which from my hedge. H and I had a ceremoniously planting the two of the Hazel and one of the Hawthorn in the garden as well. I managed to move the fruit bushes into tubs to make them portable, since the new trees would certainly compete with them..
I went up to the allotment 04.03.06 and found the ground frozen solid to a depth of half an inch. It did not stop me digging up a Leek or two to go into today's dinner, stew. This time next year I hope to be eating stew made with all my own root vegetables. We are nearly out of potatoes [Cara]. The Rocket have stated chitting so there is a lesson learnt. Plant your earlies early and harvest them early. Leave main crop to be lates and harvest them accordingly. I had this idea that I would plant some earlies late in the season as catch crop. It worked to a degree. I got a crop but it was hit hard by blight, also they have not kept that well and are chitting for England. I won't be leaving the spuds in the ground this year. As soon as they a ready they will be out of the ground and hopefully out of the clutches of the Blight. I lost the equivalent of four bags of spuds to blight. You live and learn. The Garlic has been potted up and is getting away. I think I will start sowing small amount of seeds next week in the greenhouse. Better get back to work.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Cracking on
Things are getting busy. I had a couple of hours off work on Tuesday morning to clear the garden of the worst of the debris that had collected over the winter and take it to the tip.
Wednesday evening.
I was able to re-use a vent cover that was taken from the house when the old gas appliances were removed to use as the outside cover of the vent on the shed. A little bit a elbow grease and sand paper brought the vent cover up like new. The shed got the insulation fixed to the underside of the roof together with a clear out. Using up the insulation cleared a good space as did moving the black plastic off-cuts I had been saving. I tidied up the garden to bring the remainder of the shed things, that could not be thrown out, into a single pile which the black plastic came in handy to cover up. Whilst moving the remains of the old shed I distrubed a mouse. He was not quick to get away until I reached out to touch him and even then he sort of wandered off. I guess the cold was slowing him down. The next plank I turned over had a huge Toad pretending he was invisible. I took him up the top of the garden and put him under a log. I hope he sees it through the next few months.
It H's birthday on Staurday and we have a bunch of visitors over the weekend so no Shed work or allotmenteering although I have to see the Potato men from Newal about the Society's potato order and I might get a chance on Sunday to plant the Willow, Hazel and Hawthorn. My Dad is coming down so it will give us something to do. I have two large buckets of horse manure to go in with the hedge. I must not forget to get some blood, fish and bone from the Potato men. I also have to find time to fit a piece of glass in the Greenhouse. I broke it the other evening.
It is the Allotment Society Annual General Meeting tomorrow Thursday 23rd Feb 06 . With luck someone will take onthe position of Secretary which I currently hold. If I can keep them on track I should be enjoying a couple of pints of Guiness by 20.30hrs. We shall see!
Wednesday evening.
I was able to re-use a vent cover that was taken from the house when the old gas appliances were removed to use as the outside cover of the vent on the shed. A little bit a elbow grease and sand paper brought the vent cover up like new. The shed got the insulation fixed to the underside of the roof together with a clear out. Using up the insulation cleared a good space as did moving the black plastic off-cuts I had been saving. I tidied up the garden to bring the remainder of the shed things, that could not be thrown out, into a single pile which the black plastic came in handy to cover up. Whilst moving the remains of the old shed I distrubed a mouse. He was not quick to get away until I reached out to touch him and even then he sort of wandered off. I guess the cold was slowing him down. The next plank I turned over had a huge Toad pretending he was invisible. I took him up the top of the garden and put him under a log. I hope he sees it through the next few months.
It H's birthday on Staurday and we have a bunch of visitors over the weekend so no Shed work or allotmenteering although I have to see the Potato men from Newal about the Society's potato order and I might get a chance on Sunday to plant the Willow, Hazel and Hawthorn. My Dad is coming down so it will give us something to do. I have two large buckets of horse manure to go in with the hedge. I must not forget to get some blood, fish and bone from the Potato men. I also have to find time to fit a piece of glass in the Greenhouse. I broke it the other evening.
It is the Allotment Society Annual General Meeting tomorrow Thursday 23rd Feb 06 . With luck someone will take onthe position of Secretary which I currently hold. If I can keep them on track I should be enjoying a couple of pints of Guiness by 20.30hrs. We shall see!
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