tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46469031001814399232024-03-16T11:51:49.322-07:00Slade Valley RootsAdamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-53100734003846988382012-03-31T01:20:00.000-07:002012-03-31T01:20:59.498-07:00Battle plans - pea and bean weevil.I grew peas and broad beans for the first time last year and in terms of taste and freshness these crops demonstrated most to me the benefits of growing your own. I'd previously overlooked broad beans remembering the rather shrivelled leathery skins and metallic taste of school dinners fame. Whilst there's nothing wrong with frozen peas for the table, eating these sweet little capsules straight from the pod can't be beaten and reminded of my Grandad's garden as a child; then, as now, I think I think more than half were eaten before they reached the kitchen. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9cN-NnHSgntorgtR19omYMEYllOltPXTC3TUlAvYek5-fT2RwwSEdr4HwV8yVfxwSzUvMTtxMXkSnIeGDjntIcs7JaTbt5bTEoUwRB4KnEnrB2_BuSgqI8JrEfv9eabI3DQ01nxB72qh/s1600/IMG_8010..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9cN-NnHSgntorgtR19omYMEYllOltPXTC3TUlAvYek5-fT2RwwSEdr4HwV8yVfxwSzUvMTtxMXkSnIeGDjntIcs7JaTbt5bTEoUwRB4KnEnrB2_BuSgqI8JrEfv9eabI3DQ01nxB72qh/s320/IMG_8010..jpg" width="240" /></a>Unfortunately, it's not just humans who find these vegetables tasty and on my plot it's necessary to net the young plants in particular to fend off pigeons and later on in the season action needs to be taken to remove black fly which are attracted to the tender growing tips. However, a big problem for me is that my plants are weakened by attacks from the pea and bean weevil which I felt dramatically reduced vigour and the productivity of my plants. They exist in the soil at first then emerge to feed on the leaves. Common advice is that these pests can make the plants look unsightly (cutting quite regular little notches in the edges of the leaves) but that the plants recover and only the most intense attacks can prove terminal. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NsUoMzmt3y7Q0LtYhEg_OeimwdCCDUqdAySO3V86XrMxwR_sd1QBkPSOeaAxJuzM-RmfMdjWz4Fg46QNfW_3_NmHAwnjOuso3XvPyM5_nd0uikzqjwVXv1zrD1rE45W4u3i3Kk3H4aUJ/s1600/IMG_8005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NsUoMzmt3y7Q0LtYhEg_OeimwdCCDUqdAySO3V86XrMxwR_sd1QBkPSOeaAxJuzM-RmfMdjWz4Fg46QNfW_3_NmHAwnjOuso3XvPyM5_nd0uikzqjwVXv1zrD1rE45W4u3i3Kk3H4aUJ/s320/IMG_8005.JPG" width="320" /></a>Nevertheless, I want to take some direct action (chemical free) in the aim of defeating this enemy and have discovered the following advice. Although they are quite quick, it is possible to capture these creatures and some suggest that you place a container of water or a piece of sticky card under the plants to <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OtkziRfdwZIy9hH0G4N7NVpJGr3r-NFGGHPy41tSNLhJguCDOWaXfrABQ0XvTdP0cxBzVfCJWp_b3B4N1UnPQawUUqk13DMGHzVgRx2Ko4qONtMq4zYHB7G5oKEsKUGaOrNfoCuMv8KJ/s1600/IMG_8030..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OtkziRfdwZIy9hH0G4N7NVpJGr3r-NFGGHPy41tSNLhJguCDOWaXfrABQ0XvTdP0cxBzVfCJWp_b3B4N1UnPQawUUqk13DMGHzVgRx2Ko4qONtMq4zYHB7G5oKEsKUGaOrNfoCuMv8KJ/s320/IMG_8030..jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="235" /></a>catch them when you shake the plants and make them fall off the leaves. Another suggestion I found on the Internet was to make up a nicotine solution to use as a spray: boil up 3/4 pound of cigarette ends in a gallon of water for 30 minutes and dilute this solution 1:1 before spraying. This recipe came with some strong advice about storing this liquid carefully and did not mention its potential effects to other beneficial insects. I'd hate to disrupt the burgeoning ladybird population on my plot so I may consider the nicotine plan as back up position and try the manual removal techniques first.<br />
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I'd be interested if anyone has any opinions on these tactics or any other ideas how I can maximise my pea and broad bean supply this year?<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OtkziRfdwZIy9hH0G4N7NVpJGr3r-NFGGHPy41tSNLhJguCDOWaXfrABQ0XvTdP0cxBzVfCJWp_b3B4N1UnPQawUUqk13DMGHzVgRx2Ko4qONtMq4zYHB7G5oKEsKUGaOrNfoCuMv8KJ/s320/IMG_8030..jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 499px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 675px;" width="70" />Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-41555229261248204542012-03-25T01:40:00.000-07:002012-03-25T01:40:52.085-07:00Potato plans 2012<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuydyj4CHXqzDtNUtQy6nLXGDAfheD7yNfn5Szq6YmCHkWq_aTY4Af16Y6Vqh9B_j7WP3QyfeTqzOZc2eCpf2h8-43OudFheMyHlZ8c_peGaYCB-D226fa_a5Gs7AvzN2fCjd_LN9NNzT/s1600/IMG_7963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuydyj4CHXqzDtNUtQy6nLXGDAfheD7yNfn5Szq6YmCHkWq_aTY4Af16Y6Vqh9B_j7WP3QyfeTqzOZc2eCpf2h8-43OudFheMyHlZ8c_peGaYCB-D226fa_a5Gs7AvzN2fCjd_LN9NNzT/s320/IMG_7963.JPG" width="320" /></a>This weekend saw my first potatoes of the year go into the ground. I have set aside around a sixth of my plot to grow potatoes (about 6x6 yards) which I estimate I can fill with eight rows of a few different varieties. I don't think you can beat fresh new potatoes especially with home grown salad in the summer months so this is what I will be devoting most of the space to with a few rows given over to enjoy later in the season. <br />
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For the Summer crops I'm planting four rows of Rocket <a href="http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Rocket">http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Rocket</a> (two rows of 12 tubers planted now and two more in a few weeks time to stagger harvesting). At this time I'll also plant one row of Anya (14/16 tubers) <a href="http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Anya">http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Anya</a> a particularly tasty salad type. A short while later I'll plant a row each of Charlotte (10) <br />
<a href="http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Charlotte">http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Charlotte</a> , Desiree (10) <a href="http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Desiree">http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Desiree</a> and King Edward (10) <a href="http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=King%20Edward">http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=King%20Edward</a> .<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7PLvhNY8WRBtUYt_k9toljXvm_ukmE5NNP-MhjAILLjBxtN2OyJySqDZti_Pb8RGGZRXWO_0JSzNuyL00r3Ots7YKi_yPgO9tW-LSk2j2_zHz_9y2vgyozUttaaq6-qOqKn3m7nQ7Ncu/s1600/IMG_7965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7PLvhNY8WRBtUYt_k9toljXvm_ukmE5NNP-MhjAILLjBxtN2OyJySqDZti_Pb8RGGZRXWO_0JSzNuyL00r3Ots7YKi_yPgO9tW-LSk2j2_zHz_9y2vgyozUttaaq6-qOqKn3m7nQ7Ncu/s320/IMG_7965.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
I will give the later varieties a bit more space to develop than the early ones but the planting procedure is roughly the same. I dig a trench and nestle the chitted tubers about 6-8 inches below the surface. I did spread a few sacks of manure over this ground during the winter but before I back fill the trench to cover the tubers I'll sprinkle some composted litter from my hens on the spoil which will hopefully give the plants a boost. The first 2 rows at least will no doubt break through the surface before the risk of frost has passed. Whilst I will 'earth up' the rows to cover the foliage when they break through, this will provide some protection but I will use a sheet of fleece to cover them completely if frost is forecast after they have completely emerged.<br />
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Frost won't be the only challenge though and later on in the season (July onwards) I'll be keeping an eye out for any signs of blight (brown and yellow patches on the leaves on my plants or neighbouring plot holders') so I can remove the foliage and save the crop beneath. Fingers crossed that won't be necessary and that the foliage can be left to develop the tubers until it withers naturally. There's also the danger from pests such as Wireworm which will take the opportunity of eating at my crop before I get the chance. A trick I've heard about which I'll use try to reduce the numbers is to place half a cut potato on the surface, wait for the Wireworms to take up residence in this bait then remove them from harm's way (harm to my crops that is).<br />
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These are my potato plans, I'll just have to see how they'll turn out. Fingers crossed!<br />
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Thanks for reading.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-84033926906693652622012-03-11T00:29:00.000-08:002012-03-11T00:29:28.881-08:00Make do and mend.One of the most enjoyable things for me about having an allotment is that things only need to be functional; what matters is if things serve a purpose, looking good comes second. This means I have been able to indulge in another passion of mine, re-using or recycling things. When I've finished with something or when something breaks, before throwing it away I'm definitely one of those people who thinks carefully about whether there is another use for it or if it can be saved. In that sense the off-cuts of wood, bits of chicken wire, sheets of plastic from packaging and other similar items contained in my garage that "I may find a use for one day" are evidence that I am somewhat of a hoarder.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-msfzeizT5IdvmCKuG0m8ASShaSF1M4aLHzWfxKpGoORf0m3YCi77_9TUGW37fUXupa66nkRGAY-ZG_uSoydGL5FfOdpEz4dYJxM21fG9aMxFrUZOLXhfN9cNnrou255kUeIaeduzK-gc/s1600/IMG_7884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-msfzeizT5IdvmCKuG0m8ASShaSF1M4aLHzWfxKpGoORf0m3YCi77_9TUGW37fUXupa66nkRGAY-ZG_uSoydGL5FfOdpEz4dYJxM21fG9aMxFrUZOLXhfN9cNnrou255kUeIaeduzK-gc/s320/IMG_7884.JPG" width="320" /></a>Another thing I tend to do is keep my eye out for things other people no longer want but which are useful to me. Both from my local 'Freecycle' group (an on-line community where people can advertise unwanted items to potential new owners, with the aim of reducing waste going to land-fill in particular) but also things that people have discarded or 'fly tipped' by the roadside. As well as feeling satisfaction at re-using or recycling things it also means my hobby costs less.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYuUzHjatjb6A0MO8KG5ids-batvOPatTU9UM-sCHWYnf42EaeIXiDGONM4GL7aPBCwWcm3nhdzJy7XdI1nS-87FY8WZ7w6a3IWGvMnik3XTWW05v5N92i68n74ZLLl-OxzHtceR6dd7O/s1600/IMG_7889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYuUzHjatjb6A0MO8KG5ids-batvOPatTU9UM-sCHWYnf42EaeIXiDGONM4GL7aPBCwWcm3nhdzJy7XdI1nS-87FY8WZ7w6a3IWGvMnik3XTWW05v5N92i68n74ZLLl-OxzHtceR6dd7O/s320/IMG_7889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now I should give you some examples: the tyres you see here were found thrown in a hedgerow but I'll use these for containers/raised beds. The black plastic membrane was given to me by a friend who had it left over after having a garden landscaped. The wire is just some of a bundle I found discarded in a lay-by among a pile of other rubbish (which looked like the remnants of a building project)and the corrugated plastic sheets were left over off-cuts from a project at my Dad's workplace which he passed to me as he thought they were too good to waste and he new I 'might be able to use them'. A few minutes work turned these sheets and lengths of wire into these cloches, perfect for sowing some salads and parsnips under later today. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FN0Dsuvu654Tcg87fZ-UGovzi82D0obm7rVPMCW_8CxSQWGoxRczsnmgNLv9kVrb4uHpjKb_j2HuZn4nlAcKqiMFxD11B96IuEXiPPHSJk49M5dd1ApW_Bo5AtrxaA3kaMy6BxTTwTj7/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FN0Dsuvu654Tcg87fZ-UGovzi82D0obm7rVPMCW_8CxSQWGoxRczsnmgNLv9kVrb4uHpjKb_j2HuZn4nlAcKqiMFxD11B96IuEXiPPHSJk49M5dd1ApW_Bo5AtrxaA3kaMy6BxTTwTj7/s320/IMG_5396.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJUlMou1t5dmHFypDsciNwFb50pp9M3d_CnyzWfhEI7cmw47zy8cK3bQEBO4BRIDxZ2NonALXNFGbbROvapEB6q0tVVujrfrwKM8jWCbrGum0z2WWgLQZwuK67F-vkPV5BhB8NbD8fQnw/s1600/IMG_7885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJUlMou1t5dmHFypDsciNwFb50pp9M3d_CnyzWfhEI7cmw47zy8cK3bQEBO4BRIDxZ2NonALXNFGbbROvapEB6q0tVVujrfrwKM8jWCbrGum0z2WWgLQZwuK67F-vkPV5BhB8NbD8fQnw/s320/IMG_7885.JPG" width="320" /></a>Among the items I have been kindly given from local 'Freecyclers' are two black plastic compost bins. One of these was missing a lid so it now has an old green dustbin lid which by chance happened to fit. I was also given a set of tools, garden netting and the wheelbarrow by someone who was moving to a smaller property and my three water butts all came from people who no longer wanted them but wanted to pass them on to someone else to use. These butts are filled by guttering on my shed which is grey on one side and black on the other as this was what I could find, cost nothing and didn't need to match as they perform the job perfectly.<br />
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Thanks for reading.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-71998984792554293522012-02-05T06:19:00.000-08:002012-02-05T06:19:16.779-08:00A walk in the snow and some animal impressions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECZDcF1uXtfm0-ZbD-ZAcwAVn8yHInHnFMWxbS5unN-22XVqVcJIFvnCChVO86uHg8X-wT_VCd-VP4wV4BznCGc2FyTb-TXDDNmxUsk4AWeb-PUqR0RFAM1CzqTXmntKvfzLHXPKk5nZl/s1600/IMG_7507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECZDcF1uXtfm0-ZbD-ZAcwAVn8yHInHnFMWxbS5unN-22XVqVcJIFvnCChVO86uHg8X-wT_VCd-VP4wV4BznCGc2FyTb-TXDDNmxUsk4AWeb-PUqR0RFAM1CzqTXmntKvfzLHXPKk5nZl/s320/IMG_7507.JPG" width="320" /></a> No chance of doing any gardening activity today (other than clearing paths and feeding chickens at home). Nevertheless, I walked to the allotment to have a look. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CiwOva-9qK0Ot5bXA44ZJEXKdM2dI9mzbR71lVoFm8x9fF6fApxbqmL3eFrF4Y4A65WYCJ-wulMZxVNaHbgzP-6u_mrjPCPS80Yepq3vwsLVLmPQ8N2G7ZzwmY4zyr1xvFyiQlrUC7cP/s1600/IMG_7518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CiwOva-9qK0Ot5bXA44ZJEXKdM2dI9mzbR71lVoFm8x9fF6fApxbqmL3eFrF4Y4A65WYCJ-wulMZxVNaHbgzP-6u_mrjPCPS80Yepq3vwsLVLmPQ8N2G7ZzwmY4zyr1xvFyiQlrUC7cP/s320/IMG_7518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I got there I found I wasn't the first visitor today. At least one Hare seemed to have been running around. The two impression on the left are the back feet and the two on the right are the front feet, one landing in front of the other. The direction of travel may seem confusing at first, in this set of prints it was from right to left; front feet landing first and then the back feet overtaking them before the next bound...</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe-LN9cs_1PM-fEfiY9Y8ICbpDJTQKEz5mjuXgtN8gpGNZhjPNpwToAk5DB_CqJ-eYRdOqFJ0S0bChLxZxMp65igCcGC1kvogB1mUOCd3vengr5R8Bdwjl9kVzQI9V_AGDKBdUwBW_B1L/s1600/IMG_7582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe-LN9cs_1PM-fEfiY9Y8ICbpDJTQKEz5mjuXgtN8gpGNZhjPNpwToAk5DB_CqJ-eYRdOqFJ0S0bChLxZxMp65igCcGC1kvogB1mUOCd3vengr5R8Bdwjl9kVzQI9V_AGDKBdUwBW_B1L/s320/IMG_7582.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkqAvtmYDav1-laqGkIUuBYYLZo_aQdB1dLhv4rs0mplTlNq20zBPb4_Ry9BygZC60e_FKJFD-CBVKcUCCdH9MwWI7aZHipC2sOMp2yLFPMwZGfgSGbPpnZ3okQsCvNzov2uYxHtW8MSR/s1600/IMG_7553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkqAvtmYDav1-laqGkIUuBYYLZo_aQdB1dLhv4rs0mplTlNq20zBPb4_Ry9BygZC60e_FKJFD-CBVKcUCCdH9MwWI7aZHipC2sOMp2yLFPMwZGfgSGbPpnZ3okQsCvNzov2uYxHtW8MSR/s320/IMG_7553.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This wasn't the only visitor to the plots though. No, these distinctive tracks are not those of someone on a pogo stick but the characteristically single file footprints of a fox. Several plot holders have chickens, ducks and other fowl on their allotments which are no doubt attractions foxes. There didn't seem to be any disturbance and although the runs and coops don't always appear attractive it seems they proved secure enough, this time at least. Whilst I'm confident the fox missed out on the fowl, I wonder if the Hare got home safely?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEvlcq64CmgJK6T4dgiH4x40TB_euUX_peWBHa0gvXWgaJSDhqU5Gjge7-nYZgTYTI_f1UR8qDJUZ1qTAZh5c5UEb_bh0_HOyUvCtP5l8V2J3TJBveHek2YoC8Ecp-1ZiFWCUqjmXwMjC/s1600/IMG_7583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEvlcq64CmgJK6T4dgiH4x40TB_euUX_peWBHa0gvXWgaJSDhqU5Gjge7-nYZgTYTI_f1UR8qDJUZ1qTAZh5c5UEb_bh0_HOyUvCtP5l8V2J3TJBveHek2YoC8Ecp-1ZiFWCUqjmXwMjC/s320/IMG_7583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-24263711036530021082012-01-30T11:44:00.000-08:002012-01-30T11:44:58.416-08:00Rhubarb: Divide and multiplyI’ve been growing rhubarb in my back garden for several years, moving clumps occasionally for various reasons (including when I moved house) and harvests have been plentiful bearing in mind the relatively small spaces given over to this crop. My back garden clump has been in its present confined position for about five years and has become quite congested. This situation happily coincided with my plans to grow rhubarb on my allotment so this weekend I set about dividing the rhubarb to make some new plants. <br />
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Some guidelines I picked up regarding this task were: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DpRqUjOvHFh53P7L9OLe2cB6i4cISo4ONAaR8cYHQSuu3iRHV9sk1zaa_h3rPzhS7C3IyQKT_kZ11bofkf8dnC-dZdz95syrOLNHD_qgsyRr9WB8HASYbj0WcwFMKm9-m0Sm9vDBTsZV/s1600/IMG_1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DpRqUjOvHFh53P7L9OLe2cB6i4cISo4ONAaR8cYHQSuu3iRHV9sk1zaa_h3rPzhS7C3IyQKT_kZ11bofkf8dnC-dZdz95syrOLNHD_qgsyRr9WB8HASYbj0WcwFMKm9-m0Sm9vDBTsZV/s320/IMG_1437.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to divide Rhubarb crowns after about 5/6 years in one position;<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to do this in mid-winter when dormant, or early spring when you can distinguish where the growing buds are on the ‘crown’, thus making it easier to decide where to chop with the spade; and<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">that each divided crown section should have at least one growing bud (along with as much root as possible) which when transplanted should be just below ground level. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj7AeYwoqDmhwDYllnRxppDgyeEIbMgW0z91kPmAYfgAfS4RJ4ZYxB18w-DbTEULtzSn85OKGC75IqCXqeV3wXD1ACK00UKZe4Ycw60emHWRz7eB0FA7iztjjb4jQG8lRyL3SC9t4sGe4/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj7AeYwoqDmhwDYllnRxppDgyeEIbMgW0z91kPmAYfgAfS4RJ4ZYxB18w-DbTEULtzSn85OKGC75IqCXqeV3wXD1ACK00UKZe4Ycw60emHWRz7eB0FA7iztjjb4jQG8lRyL3SC9t4sGe4/s320/IMG_1440.JPG" width="320" /></a>In several places on forum websites I read that there is no need to fear this brutal act, that rhubarb crowns are tough and rarely does the process fail to produce viable new plants or invigorate long established and congested clumps. I also read that Rhubarb is a crop which benefits from being frozen during winter and that one idea when transplanting rhubarb is to leave the crowns on the surface for few weeks to ensure they experience a good winter frost before planting in their intended growing positions. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8OigDX5FgRJGDLyG3Cv9Nkks5o4oJyZgX0Py4R1XATIbgfWnZdamf0BqNwUM8TLG6uo7pZNZSFVg4B2pSVxJqFMVYDYxF5efGmLwXDGbY3Wp3kUYjRmomknoPBZevnq46RXHOTmG433L/s1600/IMG_1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8OigDX5FgRJGDLyG3Cv9Nkks5o4oJyZgX0Py4R1XATIbgfWnZdamf0BqNwUM8TLG6uo7pZNZSFVg4B2pSVxJqFMVYDYxF5efGmLwXDGbY3Wp3kUYjRmomknoPBZevnq46RXHOTmG433L/s320/IMG_1445.JPG" width="320" /></a>Having now prepared a space at the allotment I have left my new clumps in pots outside, to be planted either next weekend or whenever conditions are favourable over the next few weeks. This year picking from the new clumps will be sparse in order to allow them to establish but I still have some undisturbed plants at home to supply my favourite rhubarb recipes (including the traditional crumble and rhubarb & ginger jam). I will plant two of the new crowns about 3 feet apart, making sure to give them a good supply of manure. The spares I can offer to neighbouring plot holders who have also recently taken on new plots. <br />
Thanks for reading.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-46641436835611900892012-01-28T02:24:00.000-08:002012-01-28T02:33:38.591-08:00Mid-winter thoughts of heat and warmth: growing chilli peppers in the UKIt's probably the coldest time of year but my thoughts have turned to the most exotic plants I grow - chillies. For us in the UK, growing chillies is a real challenge as to do this with any degree of success we need to replicate the dry hot climate they originate from. Moisture and temperature can be controlled to a degree by growing indoors (in addition to my greenhouse bench I've grown a few plants on the windowsill in my office). However, the added complication is that our growing season is much shorter than in their native Mexico thus making the act of growing chilli peppers from seed a bit more challenging, requiring more attention and intervention than most other food crops. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDKpPqt37Ily7F1QMTXu0zS-vEl0KChzyB5QorJATCJHCLgrt4KR5BkiyajA01GHTHtKj6tvlbONffDb40sNoWeqX67Nj6faGnZ5RwtWU-v0IO7VAxI9CVbEkzKORp-EB-vWGaHrgSVHg/s1600/IMG_5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDKpPqt37Ily7F1QMTXu0zS-vEl0KChzyB5QorJATCJHCLgrt4KR5BkiyajA01GHTHtKj6tvlbONffDb40sNoWeqX67Nj6faGnZ5RwtWU-v0IO7VAxI9CVbEkzKORp-EB-vWGaHrgSVHg/s320/IMG_5510.JPG" width="320" /></a>Over the past few years I've experimented with a few varieties, both growing from seed and purchasing small plants from garden centres or garden shows in the spring/early summer. Varieties such as Hungarian Hotwax, Scotch Bonnet, Habanero and Cherry Bomb have all provided me with a small supply of fiery fruits but on the whole the plants have never seemed entirely comfortable nor have they matched vigour and the supplies of fruit provided to me by a variety which happened to catch my eye and I grew for fun and interest rather than anything else.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1CMOjqdc9gFA7d90u7pAZU1QRGDZ8uue3z3U_ZmtqtqAygR52ZkW2S2gO9wA8z3VzWJC_B1gmaGTtwe4wHZ3eD4QJvU3ctr91A4y3laskL-erQtfGqRQQOyisfkBsqCrppkpRsawH636/s1600/IMG_7320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1CMOjqdc9gFA7d90u7pAZU1QRGDZ8uue3z3U_ZmtqtqAygR52ZkW2S2gO9wA8z3VzWJC_B1gmaGTtwe4wHZ3eD4QJvU3ctr91A4y3laskL-erQtfGqRQQOyisfkBsqCrppkpRsawH636/s320/IMG_7320.JPG" width="213" /></a>My most successful chilli growing has been with the variety, Razzamatazz (Mr.Fothergills). The seeds are not the cheapest perhaps - last year's cost £2.05 for 50 seeds (which is two year's sowings worth) - but the germination rates have been very high providing me with as many plants as I needed to fill my greenhouse bench, spare windowsills and spares to give away. I don't have a heated greenhouse or use heated propagators. Nevertheless, sowings in late February or early March, on a warm window sill or covered in my unheated greenhouse, have been successful and provided me with seedlings to pot on up until May when they go into their larger pots* to remain until their fruits are fully ripened in September or October. By mid summer the fruits start to appear in a variety of colours (including orange, green, yellow and purple) finally ripening to a rich red providing you can resist the temptation to use them earlier. The chillies are as hot as most people require and have proved perfect on pizzas and as the fiery ingredient in other regular meals such as curries and chilli-con-carne. They are also suitable for adding to jars of home made pickled onions and six or eight added to a kilo of ripe tomatoes, garlic, red wine vinegar and brown sugar make the most amazing chilli jam - a perfect accompaniment to a toasted cheddar sandwich for a 'chilly' January weekend lunch. Storing couldn't be easier as they can be dried or simply placed in a plastic pot in the freezer until needed. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisI4PjvA49Jftd9fJFxO5Y9rOqpJObumPWmJx69un4VTw1ze-lotFhyUc7Uspgjrb6Nwgj5ttE8wmk17jqoA2xNEPkLu1JnoZQTNW3-aqrvpkpjYKp0EwkYtTQZg_1NOoBbWAJCR-LA_4k/s1600/IMG_7322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisI4PjvA49Jftd9fJFxO5Y9rOqpJObumPWmJx69un4VTw1ze-lotFhyUc7Uspgjrb6Nwgj5ttE8wmk17jqoA2xNEPkLu1JnoZQTNW3-aqrvpkpjYKp0EwkYtTQZg_1NOoBbWAJCR-LA_4k/s320/IMG_7322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hmmm time for that sandwich. <br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
Adam.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBE1sAtamyiTx1Ppg2wAbvduhak5i5NqVpEInF8SqCuYyNCoKPU82gSJXUS7h4-3WdBAAaq-wUGJkGPYwWvFSzWBGXJHUNo6PyaxxUlWOy3gclHd7PYPNt9mDtqmBMGlXi-xY90lnHcG-/s1600/IMG_6057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBE1sAtamyiTx1Ppg2wAbvduhak5i5NqVpEInF8SqCuYyNCoKPU82gSJXUS7h4-3WdBAAaq-wUGJkGPYwWvFSzWBGXJHUNo6PyaxxUlWOy3gclHd7PYPNt9mDtqmBMGlXi-xY90lnHcG-/s320/IMG_6057.JPG" width="320" /></a> * I've found 6" pots are as good as 9" for these plants with a free draining gritty medium. Up until last year I never went smaller than a 9" pot for chillies but last year I posed a question via Twitter to Monty Don (@TheMontyDon) about the optimum size pot for chilli plants and received the succinct reply 'rather smaller than you might think'.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-9344685780101832382012-01-15T05:51:00.000-08:002012-01-15T05:51:38.432-08:00Permanent crops: planning ahead and some recycling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcSinHfGCQ8NQaUxRFA3zRSaumr5YFKxYr20PsmBt2JofauI9GPvyUu_qG22Hawj72Lx1u3JnpZkUseo43et1BREOc-dMaD0TZUuCWYODsbTmWDjAC-hwgTzOc_Ifhc9Ph3d5vRL-rRNI/s1600/IMG_7281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcSinHfGCQ8NQaUxRFA3zRSaumr5YFKxYr20PsmBt2JofauI9GPvyUu_qG22Hawj72Lx1u3JnpZkUseo43et1BREOc-dMaD0TZUuCWYODsbTmWDjAC-hwgTzOc_Ifhc9Ph3d5vRL-rRNI/s320/IMG_7281.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I took on my allotment in April 2011 the furthest end of my strip had the greatest number of weeds including nettles and 'horsetail'. This ground also seemed to have been left uncultivated for the longest time, if indeed it had ever been dug at all. This is where I chose to place my shed, water butts, compost bins and seating area. In front of these I placed some horticultural membrane (left over from a relatives garden landscaping) to suppress the weeds with the view of getting some raised beds up and running for this year (2012). I've made some rough frames using gravel boards giving me two rectangular beds (approximately 9 feet by four feet). This year I'm putting strawberries in one and will try some tomatoes in the other - I noticed with interest that these two crops were the highest money savers for Jono at <a href="http://www.realmensow.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.realmensow.co.uk</span></a> . I propagated some strawberry 'runners' from my small patch at home (not sure of the variety); the tomatoes I aim to grow from seed, 'Cherry Falls' a cherry tomato variety I grew last year in pots outside. These plants formed compact bushes which I think will be ideal to keep them low and sheltered. Once I've dug the beds again in the spring and sifted out as much of the weeds as I can, I'll grow the tomatoes and strawberries through the black membrane in the hope this will suppress the more persistent weeds which will no doubt emerge from the depths I can't hope to reach. <br />
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In front of these beds I will be planting some rhubarb (from my garden also, variety unknown). I will dig up, divide and transplant some crowns in early spring. Next to this I will plant a gooseberry bush (I have some which I grew from cuttings and yes you guessed it, I have no idea of the variety). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkFIHXVEreG0hEDCqTkES46Ypz1XmZJBxawGw3IcewSgVtZuEylrmNDR_p1cmYsH-E9lwaDwdb4TwbQI-der8uLZxNm_HQvOIzETK3MiSSfjq8nhGb8_JFxUzRqa9Xi2c-ms-nmltSFRQ/s1600/IMG_7144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkFIHXVEreG0hEDCqTkES46Ypz1XmZJBxawGw3IcewSgVtZuEylrmNDR_p1cmYsH-E9lwaDwdb4TwbQI-der8uLZxNm_HQvOIzETK3MiSSfjq8nhGb8_JFxUzRqa9Xi2c-ms-nmltSFRQ/s320/IMG_7144.JPG" width="320" /></a>I have some other space to devote to permanent crops - herbs, salads and perhaps flowers (to attract pollinating insects) and this is where I took the opportunity to do some recycling. Surrounding my small town are many country roads which unfortunately attract a certain type of human who regard countryside and fields as a wastleland appropriate for dumping any unwanted items or rubbish. The bare hedgerows allowed me to see that from the gate entrance to a field someone had dumped a number of old tyres, simply thrown them over the fence to run down the field and into the hedge. These I retrieved and arranged near my shed to be filled with soil/compost suited to the plants they will hold e.g. light, free draining soil for Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and thyme or richer, moisture retaining soil for herbs such as parsley. Might see if there is any spare paint in the garage to spruce them up a bit. <br />
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Thanks for reading.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-7932641924068706422012-01-08T02:50:00.000-08:002012-01-08T02:50:13.012-08:00Allotment 2011: a review.<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started to blog when I took on my allotment in early summer 2011 with the aim of documenting my progress; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>work pressures, getting the allotment straight and other things took up my spare time so blogging fell by the wayside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Enough excuses</span>, the start of a new year (and an encouraging nudge from a fellow blogger) has spurred me on to resurrect my blog, starting with an overview of my first growing season in 2011.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started out with a plan to set aside some space for some permanent beds (for strawberries, herbs, a longer term asparagus project, rhubarb, soft fruit etc.) and five zones to separate and rotate crops grown each year - potatoes; alliums (onions, leeks, garlic); brassicas (broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts); beans (dwarf french, french climbing and runners); and pumpkins and squashes. Whilst the permanent beds are in the process of construction or preparation in ready for 2012 use, the other beds were put to full use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Potatoes</strong>: as soon as I cleared the weeds and uncovered some bare ground I planted potatoes, whilst these were tasty (especially the Anya variety) the yield was somewhat disappointing which I attribute to a lack of nutrition and the unusually dry conditions in Spring/Summer 2011. Whilst I can't change the weather or water to any great extent, I have now secured a manure supplier (a friend's daughters have a pony stabled nearby) so hope to improve this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Alliums</strong>: I planted some onions sets and a short row of leeks (a surplus from a neighbour's plot) which although quite small, matured in the short space of time and produced a modest supply of edible bulbs. Due to the time spent clearing the ground these were planted later (May) than would have been preferred.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt7ft2RfsHLzZ_6H3bKVhIZtpjhfMEU4TEevw-tK2eHMImYfKPedITA3mS9vTYf8t_otwuMUZyqBd0VYwQusQ93qLNKWQjI0a9uwdqXLNqfuKo5Xk-lCvYLMrLHy9DwbW_ugmRjyD14Hy/s1600/IMG_6046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt7ft2RfsHLzZ_6H3bKVhIZtpjhfMEU4TEevw-tK2eHMImYfKPedITA3mS9vTYf8t_otwuMUZyqBd0VYwQusQ93qLNKWQjI0a9uwdqXLNqfuKo5Xk-lCvYLMrLHy9DwbW_ugmRjyD14Hy/s320/IMG_6046.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Brassicas</strong>: these suffered from drought and pest attack during the summer (flea beetle and whitefly especially) but had established by the autumn and then have flourished through the winter so far producing well. I want to avoid using chemicals so when things were really bad I tried to battle the pests using a diluted solution of boiled rhubarb leaf , quite sparingly, which seemed to assist the beneficial ladybird population in keeping the pest numbers down. It could have been my imagination but pleasingly, the ladybird population seemed to increase greatly during the summer.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30IhaJMdFp-0YD9pwGj9_00uieJStMRSG2H4K_c_Z4RAG_IPMVn73_TT-iq6jKOD1nabosUhrasmabZBqzfLqyCORBisqeBVUVSnYeP_mPXEWZPpiu6OF9-iaXEIu5VOFxhPDONQT1Z4H/s1600/IMG_6037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30IhaJMdFp-0YD9pwGj9_00uieJStMRSG2H4K_c_Z4RAG_IPMVn73_TT-iq6jKOD1nabosUhrasmabZBqzfLqyCORBisqeBVUVSnYeP_mPXEWZPpiu6OF9-iaXEIu5VOFxhPDONQT1Z4H/s320/IMG_6037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Beans</strong>: these seemed the easiest to grow and produced the greatest yield. Whilst the broad beans were quite slim pickings (again due to a lack of moisture and late planting) french beans and runners were much more prolific and I still have some of these in the freezer. Introducing organic matter and earlier sowings will hopefully improve the broad bean situation this year as I've developed a new liking for these since eating some picked young and eaten fresh. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Pumpkins and squashes</strong>: by the time summer arrived I had prepared my ground and established my domestic arrangements (including shed and water butts) so was able to meet the growing season for these crops according to convention. Three butternut squash plants produced six fruits each (a few of which are still in store in my garage); six plants produced a mountain of courgettes (too many to keep up with); and a self set marrow plant adopted from my neighbour provided a few marrows to experiment with in the kitchen (stuffed, marrow & ginger jam) and some seeds for next year. My attempt at a giant pumpkin was a bit of fun and my main learning point about this was to take stricter control of the plant - by constantly removing the competing juvenile fruit and restricting the growth of side shoots to ensure everything goes into the main pumpkin. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTkLxnpWRRQIHt0jE2fCBaMHAD9tGIa_3-kw9EGYdvUCq1_4u04NajEWbtIAQOI2qNq_M83fNXR9avLHmrRnfKIxFkOggynX3YScET6akehGLc7V9KyO5CZW4MaeqqpGfNrx39fKctQ2B/s1600/IMG_6033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTkLxnpWRRQIHt0jE2fCBaMHAD9tGIa_3-kw9EGYdvUCq1_4u04NajEWbtIAQOI2qNq_M83fNXR9avLHmrRnfKIxFkOggynX3YScET6akehGLc7V9KyO5CZW4MaeqqpGfNrx39fKctQ2B/s320/IMG_6033.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I grew other crops, in an around those above, where space became available: parsnips took a while to get germinating but despite some problems I've had a modest supply so far this winter; beetroot proved an easy and bountiful crop to grow; and my carrots were plentiful but somewhat ruined by carrot root fly. For carrots I am developing plans for resistant varieties, netting or growing at <em>altitude</em> (above 2-3 feet, the flying height of the carrot fly by popular consensus - we shall see). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE6kCCJhdbZSsjVcZOQGP7OK0nXnMUoJNjAQLWaLsuDrZymrDt7XxJk8zkitNvWyox7dbeS3mBE7nOgKEyulQMC3nvz5PcnteTht3nydKkJRcUfSriTSzeZiVjkJoJpTHEuZjOAnPLSYN/s1600/IMG_6087..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE6kCCJhdbZSsjVcZOQGP7OK0nXnMUoJNjAQLWaLsuDrZymrDt7XxJk8zkitNvWyox7dbeS3mBE7nOgKEyulQMC3nvz5PcnteTht3nydKkJRcUfSriTSzeZiVjkJoJpTHEuZjOAnPLSYN/s320/IMG_6087..jpg" width="201" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A big surprise was the local horticultural society show in September. I looked at the schedule and was able to enter in 17 categories. This resulted in five firsts, four seconds and three thirds...totalling 26 points! The winning grower (my allotment neighbour 'Brush') achieved 28 points so the challenge for the coming year has been set. My five successes were a butternut squash, 3 little gem lettuces, sweet peas (grown among my beans), cherry tomatoes (from the greenhouse at home) and the longest carrot (grown as an experiment in a spare piece of drain pipe). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The combination of spending time outside and being rewarded with some great food meant that I enjoyed my first allotment season as much as I anticipated. The enthusiasm I started with has not diminished and I can't wait to get on with the next one. My greenhouse has been cleaned and cleared and is ready to accept my first sowings...more on that later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for reading, Adam.</span>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-39976212622001006052011-06-05T12:04:00.000-07:002011-06-05T12:09:36.407-07:00Fear of frosts over - a busy week on the allotment and in the greenhouse<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux-CatSdUsrKIHiiR_RNSKLuA1bzgYSFR9YMMXLou0ABKZgdPjtM79dFqd8cWdgC7gB3FsnhRbQUYTOhwSEOBJwTkJJ9QfOsOpGR11syXPpjY1SX1oifl3ks7FFGvFyTOTYNr5bUwTu7C/s1600/IMG_5502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux-CatSdUsrKIHiiR_RNSKLuA1bzgYSFR9YMMXLou0ABKZgdPjtM79dFqd8cWdgC7gB3FsnhRbQUYTOhwSEOBJwTkJJ9QfOsOpGR11syXPpjY1SX1oifl3ks7FFGvFyTOTYNr5bUwTu7C/s320/IMG_5502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thanks to my carpenter Dad I now have a shed. Most of the materials were recycled leaving me to buy just the boards and felt for the roof. Having been made by what we could lay our hands on it's proportions are a bit unusual (6'X3' and very tall) but it has a heavy frame and is anchored down well. It'll serve my purposes; holding a few second hand tools of little intrinsic value and keeping other odds and ends dry and in one place. It's appearance has stimulated some good natured jibes from my plot neighbours including it being likened to an outside loo or ticket office! Overall I'm very pleased with it and think it's quirky design lends it a certain charm. I'm now on the lookout for some hard standing to complete the seating area next to the shed but have covered the ground with some horticultural membrane in the meantime to suppress any weeds.<br />
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<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhYzOEEwZZ06wgZztoI247gP0nX0KxVqWYrXKysB0VUYiCFwe2HRSQvT42UvAIPTdqWLmdKbd0Ibm1Jpddeg5_M1echIFHHn71iE5jlFAhC7BhTMma3rM5d_gw6aBKyJO2okoCgvJ7yvG/s1600/IMG_5505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhYzOEEwZZ06wgZztoI247gP0nX0KxVqWYrXKysB0VUYiCFwe2HRSQvT42UvAIPTdqWLmdKbd0Ibm1Jpddeg5_M1echIFHHn71iE5jlFAhC7BhTMma3rM5d_gw6aBKyJO2okoCgvJ7yvG/s320/IMG_5505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Over the last few weeks I've been planting out dwarf broad beans (Sutton Dwarf), peas (Sugar Snap & Kelvedon Wonder) and since the risk of frost has passed, runner beans (Scarlett Emperor), french beans and climbing french beans (Blue Lake). Also, assorted brassica seedlings - cabbages, brussel sprouts, purple sprouting broccoli and cauliflowers. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhofdcYXAb5mRZ9sTAJy6LZ-nQC944wDdvKSE1qyJpjPvjM3cW98X9hdHvVm4sN8hycQgW49JCpSt0ALiRJWuzjLfkxvMiPQT3Dj6y5uvbbwKqy-X_DYa2hyphenhyphenMa3Lf4CspwKBfzTDZbSHT/s1600/IMG_5508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhofdcYXAb5mRZ9sTAJy6LZ-nQC944wDdvKSE1qyJpjPvjM3cW98X9hdHvVm4sN8hycQgW49JCpSt0ALiRJWuzjLfkxvMiPQT3Dj6y5uvbbwKqy-X_DYa2hyphenhyphenMa3Lf4CspwKBfzTDZbSHT/s320/IMG_5508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> However, during the last week the brassicas have come under attack from 'cabbage flea beetle' which has resulted in leaf damage to differing degrees on each plant. I initially tried spraying with soapy water to no avail but have since been advised to use Milton sterilising fluid which I will try - if successful I will replace any plants which are no longer viable. <br />
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElWuPuN6ngeIizXBODzn-PSwk4sfSt72Z4UAr4jU27T6tOLJmsQqW3fZC2u8WojbNk03ej_-cQ-1i-PF3hqJ5aoNSRIWMkduM79W6eg-Ar4MX3osYklkEWIhbZ0bUj92jPBjEyPO13sJP/s1600/IMG_5509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElWuPuN6ngeIizXBODzn-PSwk4sfSt72Z4UAr4jU27T6tOLJmsQqW3fZC2u8WojbNk03ej_-cQ-1i-PF3hqJ5aoNSRIWMkduM79W6eg-Ar4MX3osYklkEWIhbZ0bUj92jPBjEyPO13sJP/s320/IMG_5509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As June arrived I was able to plant out my pumpkins (2) and Butternut Squash (3) plants. Having watched my neighbours dig large holes, fill with compost and then plant their squashes over the top, I did the same. I have been surprised at the amount of wind our plots are subjected to and this seems most often from the West or South Westerly direction following the course of the valley. To give the pumpkins and squashes with their broad leaves some initial shelter I raised a semi-circular bank around each planting hole and also mulched with some of the dead grass I cleared from my plot earlier. <br />
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKomvUt1yEMP79w1b-iv8C7JDlQgma6egV2T98uDPgp6kWeOUyn5nzIGvhCExneN0zA5Ag9vClNnwZGG60rE4K0jIwCesabDfObPtVmFWuN6MFYbvwPo_VgBffbO0FbYy_z3EDlI9Qlh3y/s1600/IMG_5507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKomvUt1yEMP79w1b-iv8C7JDlQgma6egV2T98uDPgp6kWeOUyn5nzIGvhCExneN0zA5Ag9vClNnwZGG60rE4K0jIwCesabDfObPtVmFWuN6MFYbvwPo_VgBffbO0FbYy_z3EDlI9Qlh3y/s320/IMG_5507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At around six/seven weeks after planting my potatoes and onions are beginning to catch up after their late start. I'll soon add some fertiliser (Blood, Fish & Bone) around these plants to give them a boost - I'll try to do this prior to a confident rain forecast so it'll wash in. There is no water on our allotments other than what we can bring or collect from our shed roofs so it is a scarce commodity reserved for watering in and establishing seeds and seedlings. Another reason I'm pleased to have my shed up and running.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXj3phec3eJuBVYyULE5DQN17iB5Kp2FUvpociARIrRqHH-NWxavnNUPlFdTYkgk9ZzkgMig45hFd75MT4oRB5UtxUKRO-2SqWSgk6AbMPsnSuQBFJue-_4uKu4DOsp_se7rRJ4WyWHZW/s1600/IMG_5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXj3phec3eJuBVYyULE5DQN17iB5Kp2FUvpociARIrRqHH-NWxavnNUPlFdTYkgk9ZzkgMig45hFd75MT4oRB5UtxUKRO-2SqWSgk6AbMPsnSuQBFJue-_4uKu4DOsp_se7rRJ4WyWHZW/s320/IMG_5510.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Planting out seedlings has left me room in the greenhouse at home to pot up my chilli plants - 4 Habanero, 6 Razzmatazz (all raised from seed) and one Dorset Naga bought as a plug plant from the 'Edible Garden' show at Stoneleigh earlier in the year. Three tomato plants (Gardener's Delight) have taken their place in the border joining the various salad leaves we've been harvesting during the past month or so. The other border houses a courgette plant, some beetroot, radishes and salad leaves which will soon make way for three more assorted tomato plants which are 'self sets' so the variety will be a surprise.<br />
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Thanks for reading.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-53847777687766495722011-05-15T12:03:00.000-07:002011-05-15T12:03:31.202-07:00Before & After<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEhKwSQyHfS8nCaTf3BHSDzWWZcEahDzjiux5HI5fpCFngNpVvChw4aAHOiwUPHUN41dUksFbhpCniFdMKY1dZ7z9vPllGAUkRFpEy6geNqornY6dF0ArEQHSnsJeMb8TAlO8ujAuiLCm/s1600/IMG_5319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEhKwSQyHfS8nCaTf3BHSDzWWZcEahDzjiux5HI5fpCFngNpVvChw4aAHOiwUPHUN41dUksFbhpCniFdMKY1dZ7z9vPllGAUkRFpEy6geNqornY6dF0ArEQHSnsJeMb8TAlO8ujAuiLCm/s320/IMG_5319.JPG" width="320" /></a>A month after starting work on my new allotment I'm pleased to say that 'operation clearance' is complete. It's taken a quite a few hours during evenings, weekends and bank holidays (I've done little else other than go to work over the last month) but the dry weather recently has certainly helped. Not only did it mean I could get on the plot more often it also made the ground lighter. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdtCTKrpi9NHvrQ19mwhYOJgbNMy2tpWqOnLjau0zen3q1Iv9IaLD-5DUg364jo7cS5NKzMRpp0AkrJpC7EGMFJ84FmcG2FsY8TBXN5GHsABOdRFmLa5JT823_YJCy4DWv5ZIvJljrKVX/s1600/IMG_5413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdtCTKrpi9NHvrQ19mwhYOJgbNMy2tpWqOnLjau0zen3q1Iv9IaLD-5DUg364jo7cS5NKzMRpp0AkrJpC7EGMFJ84FmcG2FsY8TBXN5GHsABOdRFmLa5JT823_YJCy4DWv5ZIvJljrKVX/s1600/IMG_5413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdtCTKrpi9NHvrQ19mwhYOJgbNMy2tpWqOnLjau0zen3q1Iv9IaLD-5DUg364jo7cS5NKzMRpp0AkrJpC7EGMFJ84FmcG2FsY8TBXN5GHsABOdRFmLa5JT823_YJCy4DWv5ZIvJljrKVX/s320/IMG_5413.JPG" width="320" /></a>In the meantime, between weeding, I've been sowing in the greenhouse at home and have a multitude of plants ready to install in my cleared ground, mostly after the risk of frosts in the next couple of weeks - I need to resist the temptation to put things out now although I can gain some satisfaction that the first few of my potatoes planted four weeks ago are now showing through. <br />
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Apart from planting my next project is to obtain a shed and organise water collection and storage - more on this later.<br />
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Thanks for reading.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-76358596590898363512011-04-23T00:55:00.000-07:002011-04-23T00:55:24.045-07:00Pause for thought<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been just over a week since I began on my allotment and after the initial flurry of activity I've reached a waiting stage. Whilst a small area has been cleared of weeds and planted (potatoes, onions, a few leeks, garlic, broad beans and two small rows each of beetroot and parsnips), the rest has been sprayed with weedkiller; this will need a couple of weeks to take effect before more ground clearing, digging and weeding can take place. After around a week there are already some early signs that the weeds are beginning to suffer as they appear somewhat paler than their surroundings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pause has created an opportunity for me to think and to make plans but also prepare. Both preparation in terms of planting seeds at home to then transplant when the ground is ready but also in obtaining some of the items I'll need to get things underway. Luckily there were a few slabs and pallets piled at one end of my allotment which along with others will form the base for a shed and my compost heaps. I'd like to use recycled items and materials where possible. So far my local Freecycle sites have provided me with a water butt and wheelbarrow, both well used but perfectly functional. I shall continue to look for either a shed or materials to build one, along with other things which can be used to store water. A family member had a large roll of left over weed suppressing membrane which they were only too glad to see the back of; this will be useful to me as it can cover sections of ground keeping the weeds at bay allowing me to tackle one section at a time. The use of old carpets for this job is discouraged on our site following previous tenants using these then leaving them behind for others to remove.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As well as being on the look-out for 'stuff', I've had my thoughts on plans and strategy. First of all I began by reminding myself why I had applied for an allotment - not only to obtain fresh food but to expand my growing experience whilst at the same time getting fresh air and exercise. Next was to decide what I wanted to grow (we wrote a list of the vegetables and fruit we used regularly). Then my task was to research the best strategy for using my land to grow it and put down some ideas on paper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to other allotment blogs, I found John Harrison's book 'The Essential Allotment Guide' a very useful source of information and in accord with the advice provided by my allotment neighbours, most especially site champion John. My plan involves beds for permanent crops (herbs, rhubarb, possibly asparagus later), four crop rotation areas (potatoes, onions & roots, brassicas and legumes) some spare ground (to try different things each year perhaps) and space for storage, seed beds and sitting/work areas. As well as giving me an idea of what I'm working to achieve this plan also helps me to structure doing things in stages and identifying the priorities. Having got two of the rotation areas planted already, my next task is to clear and plant the other two rotation beds whilst preparing the permanent and spare beds for full use next season perhaps. I understand that these plans may need to be adapted and changed in light of my experiences but I feel more confident to deal with things by having my initial ideas on paper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading.</span> Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-15049509138237060442011-04-18T01:16:00.000-07:002011-04-18T11:35:16.769-07:00Spray day...and my first plantings<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2KvBOhrTHiM5C7ppmxK1qfGhyphenhyphenwmFHPRULIf4yGXVjtp8j6NdEykOIxBs0Ar8nfNFR7G9BGg831jAWLLgKvX-BtjkD-IvOrNNLLAKcyChQGmlO-Xmzk4xkamTCnTMLlvHT_ALJXJwnUU3/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2KvBOhrTHiM5C7ppmxK1qfGhyphenhyphenwmFHPRULIf4yGXVjtp8j6NdEykOIxBs0Ar8nfNFR7G9BGg831jAWLLgKvX-BtjkD-IvOrNNLLAKcyChQGmlO-Xmzk4xkamTCnTMLlvHT_ALJXJwnUU3/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday 17th April - Second day on the allotment and it was another fine, dry day with little or no wind. Perfect conditions for spraying the bulk of my plot with Roundup (as per the advice given by my champion grower neighbour, John). This area is roughly 30 x 6 yards and although I would have liked to tackle things completely organically it seemed to me a massive and time consuming task. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Although, not a reason for my decision to compromise my organic principles, this decision had the benefit that I could demonstrate my willingness to take advice from my more experienced neighbours.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxamKyQmcC9J6Kc-buopBXqSQdyfL1xRUIDGzcIWt4SemH8t5U9OAaDKGXk6o2Vd-ZyBaUWWPouDhxpvFwO3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only did I receive the advice but the loan of a spray bottle, and once I'd arrived with the bottle of Roundup John was so pleased to see his derelict neighbouring plot being dealt with that he undertook the spraying on my behalf, for which I was very grateful. I have to leave things on the sprayed land now for 2-3 weeks so my attention was directed to planting my cleared section and planning for the future. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have a basic skeleton of a plan for a four area rotation system which I think will occupy between one half to two-thirds of my total area; the cleared and dug area represents about two of these four areas. So, following John's advice, it was time to plant potatoes in one and onions & roots in the other.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqp45LhtswAntu41Bw2DKgPiM6XHMNG7fchjmLAzHkOL-YQcTYe3sTDHvotspxvyaIx9U_dOnH4G_gczLidyn6YrlGpZaFoS5nPLWHkY0p9IF7OExiytPDgDiTezqXik6y-6jsQdMqPTL/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqp45LhtswAntu41Bw2DKgPiM6XHMNG7fchjmLAzHkOL-YQcTYe3sTDHvotspxvyaIx9U_dOnH4G_gczLidyn6YrlGpZaFoS5nPLWHkY0p9IF7OExiytPDgDiTezqXik6y-6jsQdMqPTL/s320/IMG_0106.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One half of my cleared area seemed to have been tended more recently than the other so I chose the less tended area to plant the potatoes - thinking the task of digging trenches to plant would help loosen the ground and allow me to remove the 'twitch' which seemed more populous in this section. Seven rows of potatoes went in and half a bucket of the white, brittle twitch roots came out! I planted one row (14) of 'Anya'; three rows (48) of Arran Pilot, first early; and three of Maris Piper, main crop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Other than that I put in a row of Dutch Shallots (14), a block of onion sets (approx 100) and 10 Leek plants kindly donated by my other neighbour, Brush. The space is not completely full as I've left room to plant some roots soon (most probably carrots, beetroot, radishes..but definitely Parsnips).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Tips learnt today</strong> included to cut the papery 'tail' from the top of my onion sets before planting (to avoid birds investigating these protruding from the ground and in doing so pulling them out one by one) and how to plant Leeks. Make a hole with a crowbar, drop seedling into the hole, fill hole with water - job done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Time to take a rest from digging (for the moment) and to put my mind to planning and preparation for the future. Things to think about include: organising and dividing the plot; planting indoors (squash, pumpkins, runner beans, french beans etc.) for planting out once the ground is prepared; and thinking about more permanent fixtures - compost facilities, water collection and building(s)? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I was asked the question yesterday in the local Slade Valley dialect "eya gunna ev an utt?" My answer was yes! Need to do some investigation though - new shed, second hand or home made? More on this later...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks for visiting.</span><br />
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<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2KvBOhrTHiM5C7ppmxK1qfGhyphenhyphenwmFHPRULIf4yGXVjtp8j6NdEykOIxBs0Ar8nfNFR7G9BGg831jAWLLgKvX-BtjkD-IvOrNNLLAKcyChQGmlO-Xmzk4xkamTCnTMLlvHT_ALJXJwnUU3/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 557px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 82px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" />Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-60562177796131493832011-04-17T00:23:00.000-07:002011-04-19T00:48:50.486-07:00John, Barry and a man called Brush<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday 16th April - my first day on my new plot. In my eagerness to get things underway I arrived far earlier than anyone else and enthusiastically set about clearing the weeds. A small patch at one end appeared to have been tended more recently so I went through this quite rapidly but things got harder as I progressed further up the plot. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYRvo72dsUzt_BEZvrbyFrvJfA0_H9-xT1rC7see9hCYONmtqW636Rf3zLICedA8fLrenTt8a2W_ogNrpzLNUnctCBQYou_VXrTQGtKl63oDhZC4xqZckto49ct_wnZLPSLRCCnRj-GWg/s1600/IMG_5319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYRvo72dsUzt_BEZvrbyFrvJfA0_H9-xT1rC7see9hCYONmtqW636Rf3zLICedA8fLrenTt8a2W_ogNrpzLNUnctCBQYou_VXrTQGtKl63oDhZC4xqZckto49ct_wnZLPSLRCCnRj-GWg/s320/IMG_5319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Among the weeds to be cleared are brambles, dandelions (some with unfeasibly long tap roots), lots of grass and underground the brittle, spindly white roots of what is locally referred to as 'twitch' (this latter intruder will take some time to eradicate and will need some perseverance). I haven't found any 'mares tail' yet although I noticed this is present on other nearby untended plots. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVMfiAzi-laYZmA3vsRXde1-LHVKukwY5QaM49YugB9aL00Royq-Z4O0JGSHmdp7-C754YimgVsIAkK-xsVN-6GwjBfLeKsSjpEE7YMWlTx961lbVHqlFftJiGgOGoZIU0sdphFiYbsas/s1600/IMG_5323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVMfiAzi-laYZmA3vsRXde1-LHVKukwY5QaM49YugB9aL00Royq-Z4O0JGSHmdp7-C754YimgVsIAkK-xsVN-6GwjBfLeKsSjpEE7YMWlTx961lbVHqlFftJiGgOGoZIU0sdphFiYbsas/s320/IMG_5323.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">By the end of the day I'd cleared a patch about 6 x 9 yards wide and found the soil to be much deeper, crumblier and lighter than any of the gardens I'd experienced in the local area. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">On my first day I had the opportunity to meet my plot neighbours: John (who is revered by all concerned and has the title 'champion grower' due to local vegetable show results); Barry, a committee member (who it seems has his hand on the tiller following a fairly recent round of committee resignations); and Brush (who explained to me that despite not being fond of eating most vegetables, he enjoys the fun of growing them all the same). </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I must say that I could not have had a warmer welcome. All three offered themselves as a source of advice, whilst doing so both Barry and Brush indicated that John was the Master adding that they took their lead from him. Among the advice given to me on the first day included: warnings about digging too fast and the value of doing things a little at a time (my aching back confirms the validity of this advice); to clear and plant as I go along in order to achieve some sense of satisfaction and progress (John said that onions are my priority at the moment, followed by potatoes then the rest can take their turn later); and finally John advised that, having cleared about a quarter of the plot to plant, I should spray the rest with weedkiller. This rather surprised me and seemed to be against my instincts and good intentions. However, it was explained to me that the advised product (Roundup) would be effective at killing the weeds down to the roots and would have no lasting side effects for subsequent planting or wildlife once dried. Along with the advice, came the very kind offer of the loan of a spray bottle (considered much more effective than a watering can) and instruction as to carrying out the job. I've arranged to meet John on Day two to carry out this task as the fine dry weather I'm told is perfect.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks for reading.</span></div>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646903100181439923.post-1284675995381049362011-04-16T10:11:00.000-07:002011-04-17T00:41:38.646-07:00In the beginning...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is essentially a blog detailing, step-by-step, my first venture into allotment gardening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been growing things on a small scale ‘back garden’ basis since I left my childhood home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fell into things by accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent my childhood in a small terraced house with a concrete yard, without paying much attention to my mothers’ efforts to decorate it with pots of summer bedding plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left for a small terraced house of my own – in doing so I took possession of a strip of lawn 100 feet long at the far end of which was a pile of rubble and assorted rubbish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I removed the pile and was left with a patch of bare soil, some spare time and a spark of interest to see if I could get anything to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spark turned into a flame which has been burning now for about 20 years and gardening has been a hobby ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the long strip of lawn I moved to a house with better proportioned back garden complete with mature fruit trees (not much else) and an additional front garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past ten or twelve years I’ve gradually filled this space with the customary shrubs, perennials, bedding and even hens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2Q2YcwVsFaQZNE4eGbB4KnQcX1q5uFy0fvUin0vmGtEm0Ji1fJp4M6Ez2ViUk8RaEaye7bzqr6WKziN9AF-A56d8JTeat1mXGpBIBB4DletK5hpt329oRwAuAQAHkEVORNcjN4AC0eii/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2Q2YcwVsFaQZNE4eGbB4KnQcX1q5uFy0fvUin0vmGtEm0Ji1fJp4M6Ez2ViUk8RaEaye7bzqr6WKziN9AF-A56d8JTeat1mXGpBIBB4DletK5hpt329oRwAuAQAHkEVORNcjN4AC0eii/s320/IMG_5328.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst I’ve grown the odd few vegetables in pots, growbags, a couple of small raised beds and an 8’X6’ greenhouse – my growing ambitions now have the opportunity to be fulfilled: after a couple of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>years on waiting lists I found out this week that I have been allocated an allotment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My current job takes me all over the country and during my adult life I’ve worked in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">London</place></city> and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">large towns and cities close by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I have never felt the need to pull up my roots and move myself and family away from where I’ve always lived, in the '<place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Slade</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Valley'</placetype></place> - a small strip of rural</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana;">Northamptonshire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The River Slade (more accurately described as a brook) and also the house I was born into are yards from my allotment and the site of my new endeavours, hence the title of my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm new to blogging too. My idea is to keep a record of my<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">allotment experiences: successes & failures and</span> </span>changes to both my plot and my gardening abilities (hopefully progress!). Also, I'm hoping I can benefit from advice and feedback along the way</span>. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Initially I expect posts to be quite frequent, followed by less frequent but nevertheless regular additions. I hope these will be of interest to you and I'd love to hear what you think. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading.</span></span></div>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17562588653862400620noreply@blogger.com0