Rain

We have had to go up to the plot (down?) most days this week to water. One evening was also spent weeding, but it didn't scratch the surface of the problem.

I had planned to spend a long day on Saturday working on the plot prior to a few days away, but it rained solidly all morning. It was 3pm when I finally got there, and stayed to 7pm.

I was pleased that the rain was penetrating well into the soil, but it does drain very freely. I was also pleased I keep a waterproof in the shed.

The pottager was weeded and tidied up. Paths around it were cleared and covered with grass cuttings.

In bed 2, I planted out the sprouts and chard.

There was more rain over-night.

I don't believe it!

It seems very tardy (I've used that word a lot recently!) of me not to have made an entry here for so long: I don't believe it's over three weeks. It has been a very busy three weeks, and there has been less time on the plot than I would have liked. More to the point, up until the last few days it has also been cold.

On the few trips I have had , it has been a case of earthing up potatoes against the cold, more weeding, covering up delicates that I planted out too early etc. The damage from frost was moderate. I lost one of three courgettes, and about 1/3 of the runner beans. I had only planted these out as I had too many coming on at home, so needed the space.Potatoes had a slight frost nip but seem OK.

I've since replaced them, planted out French beans and more squash of various types. I have also dug up the failing rhubarb, that was past sell by date and bindweed infested. The bits I saved are now in pots and are doing well at home.

Most of all, weeds are doing well, as is the neighbour's neglected gooseberry hedge!

Potatoes:

Cauliflower:


Sunflowers and weeds:


Garlic:


Cabbage:


Runner beans:


Salad Leaf:

Video Tour

Allotment video 24th Apri 2010
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("j-t-f")

I've been a bit tardy in recording the progress over the last couple of weeks. There has been a lot to do and so little time to do it in.

For some reason the weeds keep growing.

Andrew said he finds and video more informative than stills, so here is one I shot last weekend on 24th April 2010. There is a commentary, but it is very quiet...sorry!




Meanwhile here are a few stills as well!

First the damage to the beans and peas:





A view form the shed:


I briefly visited last night and all the hoeing and weeding from the weekend seems wasted!

Pea and Bean Weevil?

We've had two very productive sessions on the plot this weekend, but I didn't take my camera with me. We've transplanted some lettuces, planted out two rows of "tundra" cabbages, and planted out chives, leeks, sweetcorn (in cloches), and sunflowers in the pottager bed. I've also planted some sweet pea plants to "pretty-up" the front of the shed.

Most important of all, quite a few hours were spent just weeding. I think this is going to be major activity for a few years at least (and probably for ever!).

As we were leaving we noted damage to the leaves of the broad beans and peas. Searching tinternet suggests pea and bean weevil :-(

Meanwhilst, all the work may well be destroyed by frost next week!