Re: Allotment update.

On the left is the new herb bed, at the other end of the bed on the right is the flower bed.

I have planted x5 lavendar, bergamont, chives, oregano, several different varieties of thyme, borage, lemon balm, curry plant and at the back bronze fennel.

In the flower end I have transplanted foxgloves (Pam's choice), dahlia's, sunflowers, cottage garden annuals and butterfly mix seeds. It doesn't look much at the moment but I am hoping it will fill out and attract the bees and hooverflies. Whilst I was digging it a frog or toad jumped out at me and gave me a fright! So some wildlife it there already.

On the left are cabbages in their new cages.
I planted out greyhound and hispi varieties about a fortnight ago and they seem to be coming on well.

On the right is the first of the new years asparagus, I have managed to finally cut a few spears this year which will be cooked in butter with a sprinkling of black pepper - oh my mouth is watering already! They are also nice dipped in a soft boiled egg - free range of course. They take an age to grow but are worth the wait.


The chard and broad beans have started to put on some new growth. I have sown extra chard for the chickens.

The broad beans were a spring sowning, I have a few gaps in the row so will do another sowing this week.

Chickens.

These our new arrivals, we have rescued three ex-battery hens who have settled in remarkably well. Gertie, Florrie and Bea. And that is also the pecking order!

We are currently getting 2-3 good sized eggs per day, and the waste is taken to the allotment for the compost heap. They are a joy to keep and all have their own characters. My youngest daughter has really taken to them and is quite often found in the chicken run with them, they are very social animals.

I have been to the allotment a few times over the last few weeks and have manged to get back on track. Early potatoes have been planted into two beds, although I have forgotten which varieties again, I'm pretty sure one of them is charlotte but can't remember the other variety, some how the lbels disappeared when they were laid out to chit. Leeks have been planted in a nursery bed undercover of fleece. Red Onions have started to put on growth.

I have continued to sow peas over the last few weeks for planting out at the allotment as the mice nick directly sown seeds.Runner beans have been sown and are currently in the plastic greenhouse, I decided to to two varieties this year St. George and White Lady. The St.George are through and are growing well but the Whitelady are taking a while longer some are through but not nearly as good germination as St.George.

I have sown french beans and borlotto beans which have all germinated, did a second sowing last week. The greenhouse (glass) is looking quite full and I have to keep moving things about. Since I have planted out a few cabbages, spring onions, chard and spinach I have gained some room in the coldframe so need to move things on again. I have 30 tomatoes plants that I have been growing for an education day at work; which will be gone by 19th May so I will then gain alot more space back.

Cucumbers, melons pumpkin and squash have all been sown as has sweetcorn.

The sweetcorn in in the greenhouse along with the cucumbers and the squash and pumpkins are in the propogator. The melons came up within a few days and are growing on the kitchen window ledge waiting to be potted on. I am going to try these outside this year, maybe keep two back for in the greenhouse to see how they do. The varieties say they can go outside but how they do remains to be seen. All the tender vegetables won't be planted out for a few weeks yet, as our last frost date is early may although I prefer to use that time for hardening off and plant out mid may.

This is the patch of rhubarb which was planted out proper 2 years ago although the crowns were planted in big pots at home. It has done very well this year and I have had 2-3 cuttings of 4-5 stems so far. Because we had had a reletively dry spring it has been trying to flower so the flowers have been despatched to the compost heap.



On the left are the first of this years leek seedings which have been grown in pots at home and transplanted into a nursery bed at the allotment. On the right are last years. I will harvest these as they were attacked by leek miner but made a recovery just ended up very late. Everyone at the lottie had the same problem so this year I will ensure that they remain covered when planted out into their final positions.


On the left are some early sowings that I made of radish lettuce and beetroot. they look very close together but the radish will be harvested first then the lettuce so the beetroot can swell.

On the right are some lettuce that I planted out by the grapevine which is in the shade for part of the day. The lettuce has done ok but I must inspect the grapevine as these were 1 year old cuttings and I'm not sure if they have made it through our artic winter.

The grapevine at home is just sprouting its leaves so need to have a closer inspection before they are taken out.
Happy Gardening xx

May - Update

Runner Beans.

I have sown two lots of runner beans this year. I usually grow Scarlet Emperor which are very good and produce a prolific crop.

This year I wanted to try a new variety so I have sown 4 seeds of Best of All. The Scarlet Emperor were planted out this weekend and Best of All are just breaking through the soil. Just need to think now were they are going to go. Last year 4 plants supplied enough beans for a family of 4, two neighbours and my mum and dad. This year I want enough so I can pick them a bit younger.

Teasel & Lemon Balm

Earlier this year I was fortunate to receive some Teasel Seeds and Lemon Balm cuttings and seeds.

The picture on the left is the teasel which was planted out last weekend, I have dotted them around the garden to encourage the birds who like to feed on the seeds, however they will have a bit of a wait as they are biennials. The lemon balm has put on a lot of growth and the seeds I received will be sown as I want to grow another pot in hope that I may get an allotment some day. The lemon balm I an going to use for pot pourri and I want to try it as a tea. Will let you know what its like!
Potatoes In Flower Pots.
The potatoes that were planted up back in March have been growing well. I chitted them throughout February and early March and they sprouted and were planted up into flower pots. I drilled holes in the bottom for drainage. The varieties I am growing are Pentland Javlin, Charlotte and Pink fir apple. I planted two seed potatoes to a pot. At the moment they are sat on the patio step which gets a lot of sun as its south facing. At night they are covered up with fleece just in case of frost. Last year I did some potatoes in a grow sack and this method worked quite well although one of the varieties that I did turned out really poor so hoping these will perform better this year.
Blueberry Bushes.

I planted two blueberry bushes last year which I have been growing in pots of acid soil. They have been flowering for a few weeks now. I don't expect a huge crop from them but would like enough just to try home made blueberry muffins!

My dog "Billy" protects them from the birds but may have to consider putting a net over them for when he's not about.

Azalea

My Sister brought me this Azalea last year as a gift. This is the first time it has flowered and its beautiful.
The flowers are a soft purple colour, later in the season and after it has finished flowering I will pot it up and move it into the shade.
This is the first time I have grown azalea, and its nice to see some spring colour as the daffs and tulips have gone over now.
Beetroot and Chard.
My beetroot and chard have been growing well in the pop up cold frame. They will be ready to go out in a few weeks time. I have been leaving the top vents undone all day and night. I still need to harden them off properly so over the next week they will be left out during the day for one week and then all night the following week as long as we have no frosts forecast. Our last frost date for my area is mid may. Although some years ago I can remember a frost in the first week of June, lots of disappointed gardeners that year as lots of people were caught out. Always a risk of when to plant out but will keep an eye on the weather forecasts and a hand on the fleece!