Weird weather!

The weather has been barmy over the last couple of months.  Even my landscaping mate (Noddy), at work, has seen changes in the way he now has to garden.  The normal of cutting your grass for the last time in November until spring is completely out the window.  Daffs are up all over the place, I just hope that the buds on fruit don’t develop too early as they can be killed by Jan/Feb frosts.  Up the lottie today to collect my Kale and Leeks.  Garlic is in full growth.  Will need potash soon.  Just waiting for Parsnip seed tapes to arrive.  Will miss the East Anglian Potato Day, at Stoneham Barns this year, on 13th Feb, because away in Norfolk.

 

222

garlic

The garlic is now poking it’s head through.  I’ve planted 19 Greek garlic, 57 Provence and 76 Solent Wight. 

garlic

My garlic has now arrived,although slightly late. I would normally put them in, in September. October is still fine. I’ve. Got 8 bulbs of Solent Wight and 6 bulbs of Provence. I’ve also managed to get hold of some Greek garlic, name not known and hope that the UK climate is OK for them. They are already in, but the others will be going in at the weekend. 

Tidying up

After returning from  Hols, there’s always an Army of fat hen to greet you on the lottie.  I didn’t know until about a month ago that you could eat the leaves like spinach until a Lithuanian  lady on the plot told me so and they do taste like spinach.  Anyway, after filling four large bin liners  and my compost bins with the fat hen, I’ve managed to clear the plot ready for my garlic to be planted.  Leeks are coming on, as are the carrots and parsnips.  The Kale seems to be doing great and will be ready now and for Christmas lunch.

Cropping well

Although the weeds are trying their best to get established, the veg are still giving good crops.  5lb of spuds with more spears of broccoli, with some carrots and French beans.  Planning for next years crops.

Crops

Had some lovely veg off the lottie this morning.  Just finished night shift and went straight to the lottie to water it.  Dug up some lovely carrots, spuds, French beans and cut some Calabrese.  there was a few strawberries for her indoors.  The courgettes will be ready in a couple of days and the leeks need planting into their holes.

Lovely Crop

As normal, you return from hols and find a jungle full of weeds.  After clearing the best you can, you survey your crops.  I’ve had some lovely spuds, Accent and Foremost and calabrese.  The beetroot are coming on as are the carrots and leeks.  The garlic is now up and drying in the sun.  Scran time.

 

 

Weeds weeds everywhere, but not a crop to eat!

That drop of rain we have just had, has brought on the weeds in the beds.  My parsnip and carrot seedlings are covered as is the full bed where the French beans are going.  Lots of weeding this weekend and panting of the Calabrese broccoli.  At least the compost bins are being fed!

It’s hossin it down

Getting all the April showers now in May.  This will be great as my Calabrese and French beans are soon to go in.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that by the middle of May, frosts will have gone.  The rain will help the spuds and garlic.  Kale and  Courgettes coming on, on the window sill.  May is a busy time and not forgetting the weeds.  Have hade many Rhubarb crumbles.

Spuds and nets

Managed to erect my nets for my Calabrese and put my second early spuds (Wilja) in.  Growth is coming on as you can notice the weed seeds shooting through.  Have planted a few elephant garlic as my neighbouring fellow allotment friend had a few to give away.  These go great in stews and stir fry’s.