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Post by murrayc on Apr 17, 2016 14:39:03 GMT
A lovely morning, chilly until the sun really warmed up, and a horrible decision to make: down to Hove for the first Sussex home match of the season, or on to the plot to do some planting and preparation before the next burst of rain? Very magnanimously, and also because it looks good for tomrrow at Hove as well, America Lane won out and I've been planting broad been seedlings, nurtured at home in planter troughs until about 6 inches tall, to accompany and in some cases replace gaps between the plants I grew direct from seed last autumn. Those that have survived are really healthy, and although still fairly short are coming into flower, which is a very pleasant sight. The soil is nicely workable now, despite the rain, and in most parts of my plot not too sticky. I've planted two short rows, each bearing two plants about 6 inches apart from each other. Last year I had a lovely display across the width of the plot, about 24 ft, but it was so prolific that we had a struggle to eat, give away or freeze all the produce. |
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bridgey
Clearing the weeds
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Post by bridgey on Apr 17, 2016 16:58:07 GMT
Hello Murray
You want to ask your neighbour wilbara for some of his
They are called hangdown green.
I have them off of him every year
Lovly taste.
I am sure the old boy has a few spares
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Post by murrayc on Apr 17, 2016 17:19:33 GMT
Hello Murray You want to ask your neighbour wilbara for some of his They are called hangdown green. I have them off of him every year Lovly taste. I am sure the old boy has a few spares Thanks bridgey, I would never compete with wilbarra, but you and he are both welcome to try some of my Aguadolce (from Seeds of Italy) in late June/July and see what you both think of them.  |
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Post by wilbarra on Apr 17, 2016 21:32:10 GMT
MURRAY
IF YOU WANT SOME SPARE BROAD BEAN PLANTS IVE STILL GOT A FEW LEFT
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Post by Stuart@AmericaLane on Apr 18, 2016 6:44:51 GMT
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patc
Clearing the weeds
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Post by patc on Apr 19, 2016 20:26:28 GMT
excuse me gentlemen, but do not forget who planted the fillings that the slugs ate.
I enjoyed the meeting very much last night and the various topics raised.
I would like some help in sorting out the toilet problems I.e.a strong man to help with removing the spiders frequently for me.I am quite prepared to sort things out when I can be available which is not daily.I do have another life! Patc.
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Post by wilbarra on Apr 20, 2016 19:30:43 GMT
HOW DID WE MOVE FROM BROAD BEANS TO SPIDERS IN TOILETS.
ITS THAT STUARTS FAULT.
THATS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A NORTH LONDON SUPPORTOR
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Post by murrayc on May 12, 2016 15:46:30 GMT
Despite the rain of the last two days the plot hasn't sprouted the the weeds I was expecting and fearing, and the ground was easy to dig. I've been planting out some of the seedlings that have been infesting all my windowsills as well as my greenhouse at home, plus some of the emergency buy-ins from garden centres, bought in a panic because I feared for the germination of my own seeds. The result , of course, is that I've got too much of everything, and unless disaster happens to those I'm planting out, I shall be advertising the surplus. Watch this space. The over-wintered allium family bulbs all seem to be doing really well and I'm thinking of lifting from late June at the current rate. Here are garlic just beginning to rust over, always a good sign  onions need to bulk out - I won't be pulling these before July
 and the spring-planted shallots have all sprouted well and look to be rooting nicely
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Post by Stuart@AmericaLane on May 13, 2016 7:00:37 GMT
Looking very good Murray. Sorry I haven't any pictures but my garlic and onions are coming on nicely now too. Given the attrition rate of the autumn planted onions and shallots and the fact that now there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between those and the ones I planted in the new year there was no benefit to over wintering this year for me. That said in the past I've had a bumper over winter crop of onions. The garlic on the other hand that was planted in the autumn is well ahead on the new year stuff. All good experience I guess.
I've been a tad busy of late hence the lack of updates from plot 5B but I'll have more time soon. I'll fill you in on the news when I see you next. I managed to get down last night for bit of a survey and pulled a few weeds. Actually I was pleased that the weeds weren't as bad as I had feared. The bad news is that not one of my carrots survived the slugs. I know some came up as I saw the seedlings appear but there is not one left now. They were covered with mesh. The only thing that could have got them is slugs or snails. The parsnips on the other hand seem to have been largely ignored so far and they are in the same bed. So the next job will be to re sow carrots and this time I will be laying an assortment of slug traps. I've been out at night at home on slug watch and it is fairly horrific this year. I'm collecting handfuls every night out of the garden.
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Post by murrayc on May 13, 2016 8:16:57 GMT
Looking very good Murray. Sorry I haven't any pictures but my garlic and onions are coming on nicely now too. Given the attrition rate of the autumn planted onions and shallots and the fact that now there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between those and the ones I planted in the new year there was no benefit to over wintering this year for me. That said in the past I've had a bumper over winter crop of onions. The garlic on the other hand that was planted in the autumn is well ahead on the new year stuff. All good experience I guess. I've been a tad busy of late hence the lack of updates from plot 5B but I'll have more time soon. I'll fill you in on the news when I see you next. I managed to get down last night for bit of a survey and pulled a few weeds. Actually I was pleased that the weeds weren't as bad as I had feared. The bad news is that not one of my carrots survived the slugs. I know some came up as I saw the seedlings appear but there is not one left now. They were covered with mesh. The only thing that could have got them is slugs or snails. The parsnips on the other hand seem to have been largely ignored so far and they are in the same bed. So the next job will be to re sow carrots and this time I will be laying an assortment of slug traps. I've been out at night at home on slug watch and it is fairly horrific this year. I'm collecting handfuls every night out of the garden. I think that's certainly true of the onions Stuart. I suppose my main idea for planting during the autumn was to have something that was in place and growing over the winter period rather than a field of earth surmounted by a manure heap! Garlic certainly does come through early though and despite it being absolutely sodden when I sowed it it has come on really well. So much for the received wisdom that it needs a frosty start to get the bulbs growing. We didn't have any real frosts until February, and then they wouldn't stop until the beginning of May! I haven't seen too much slug activity yet on the plot, though I'm sure they are just lurking and rubbing their loathsome little flippers together with glee as they read this and think "you're next". I have sown "cheat" carrots so far, bought in as mature seedlings from a garden centre and I'll wait to see how they do before I transplant the ones I have grown from seed, still currently at home. At least they are of a comparable variety. |
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