Digger Dave's Domain

The start to the season

2010-12-28T03:19:00.000-08:00

Been a bit idle these past few months, nothing doing & unable to see the plots underneath all the snow.

Just to report I've sown a packet of Kelsae onions today. I don't expect any exhibition onions from them, but as I've never had any luck with onions from seed in the past I thought that if I tried one that's supposed to grow huge, I may just get some medium onions from them!

Quick update

2010-10-05T00:49:00.001-07:00

As above!

No photos, daughter borrowed my camera for a day, 10 days ago.

Harvesting more squash, there's a green one on the plant bigger than than one in the previous photo, so fingers crossed for it. Pumpkins have been harvested and re-homed, courgettes have turned to marrows and the White Lady runner beans are still coming in and in flower!

The Sarpo Mira spuds are still growing!!

Planted a few "walking" onions a little while back, but still waiting for the ground to dry out a bit so I can get the winter onions and garlic in. It seems to chuck it down every other day at the moment.

Recent Harvests

2010-09-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

A 7lb 6oz Butternut Squash:

Grew these as a novelty spud "Highland Burgundy Red" curious purple/pink mashed spuds! Quickly go to mush when cooked, small yield, won't bother again.

Off the plot today

2010-09-20T10:49:00.001-07:00

From a late (July 2nd) sowing of Kelvedon Wonder.

A Thousand Apologies

2010-09-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've not kept this blog up to date very well.

I was ill in the early part of the year and from May onwards, it was catch up time. However despite being late in things have really caught up and a lot have been better than last year.

White Lady runner beans have been fantastic and still in flower - seed not sown until May in seed trays at home and the spuds are much larger than previous years despite being planted almost 2 months later than usual. Pictured here is my 2lb "Kestrel".

The "Ambo" are a huge crop with 4 or 5 large bakers per plant and a few smaller ones. Desiree are a resonable return, although not quite as good as the Ambo.

30 spring cabbage have gone in today to compliment the 30 winter caulis already in.

Darn Cats

2010-02-01T04:24:00.000-08:00

Bl**dy cats knocked my tomatoes out of the window sill yesterday. Think enough have survived the fall just the get the 12 I want for the heated greenhouse.

On the plus side, the chillies started popping through yesterday, so they (and the remaining tomatoes), are in a locked room with some aluminium foil to keep them company.

And briefly........

2010-01-29T12:26:00.001-08:00

60 Geraniums sown today.

Tomato count is 12.

First Tomato Up

2010-01-26T13:24:00.000-08:00

Six days after sowing.

Who needs expensive propagators?

Slow progress

2010-01-25T23:36:00.000-08:00

Weather still a bit on the cool/wet side, sun only shines when I can't make it to the plot due to other commitments.

Only made one serious visit so far, but managed to give the blackcurrants a much needeed hair cut.

Out of the 20 "Nautilus" cauli seed sown, I've got 21 come up! Appears I dropped two seeds into one cell.

Other things on today, but forecast not too bad for rest of week then tied up with other things over the weekend, so the weather's bound to be good if I can't get down.

Tomatoes & Peppers

2010-01-20T03:33:00.001-08:00

Unable to contain myself for much longer, I've sown my tomatoes intended for the greenhouse,(Shirley) and some sweet & chilli peppers.

These I've placed in my expensive propagators.

2010-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

Nearly forgot as it's not food related. Sowed the sweet peas yesterday as well. They're in the cool (as opposed to cold), greenhouse. There's just enough heating in this one to keep the frost off and I can wind it up if need be for seedlings & tomato plants.

Which reminds me, this time last year I'd sowed the tomato seed, so I'd better get a move on, although there's plenty of time stll.

Visit to plot

2010-01-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

Popped up to the plot yesterday, too wet to do any real work on it, but managed empty the horse poo out of the bags now that they'd thawed out and also took some of last year's old compost up there & put in a small raised bed.

One of the other plot holders up there does this and he plants some spring onions in it very early, which he starts in modules. Thought I'd give that a go.

Brought home a sack of Sarpo Mira spuds which had been stored in the shed. Thankfully they seem to have survived the frost & look very wholesome, more so than some of the other varieties which have a load of slug holes.

If it's a decent day tomorrow, may pop up to do a bit of tidying & trimming, heavy rain forecast Wednesday & Thursday.

Hmmmmm

2010-01-15T08:00:00.001-08:00

Thought I'd updated this a few days ago to say nothing much had happened, particularly in the recent weather apart from a few raids to harvest the veg. Appears the post went into the black hole, or more likely I hit the wrong button. Currently have sprouts, cabbage, carrots, parsnips and an odd swede in the plot. Sprouting brocolli to come.

Was in two minds whether to continue this blog or not, as a lot will be a repeat of last year, but have been persuaded by one of the guys on AVG. For some strange reason, he finds it useful - probably from a what NOT to do point of view.

Have started off some spanish onions given to me, along with "Nautilus" caulis and some Winter Gem lettuce. All are starting to come through.

Not to hit the "Publish" button and hope this one makes it!

Blimey, where's the time gone.

2009-10-27T06:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry, long time, no update. Not been neglecting the plot, just never seemed to have the time to update the blog, plus we've actually managed to pull some time away in.

I'll do a very quick update and let the pictures tell their own stories. Not included with them yet are the butternut squash whch have grown amazingly. Harvested 24 so far and there's going to be at least 50!

Anyway, this is what I did manage to snap:

Still ticking over

2009-08-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

Few days since an update, but in between all the rain we've been nipping down to get the harvest in.

Couple of mandatory piccies to break up the boring text - the spud plants are from the wizzened sets a couple of weeks back.

Note to self

2009-07-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

This is for my reference really.

Yesterday potted on 52 "Winter Pilgrim" caulis & sowed 60 "Durham Early" sprinf cabbage in modules.

Planted out a further 72 lettuce, pricked out same number & sowed more seed.

Spuds - In with the old, out with the new!

2009-07-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

Found some old & wrinkly spuds in the shed, left over from the spring planting. Stuck them in to see how they go as everyone seems to be going mad on new spuds for Christmas. No way am I paying the catalogue prices, not lost anything if these don't grow.

Tried the Kestrel spuds, look like my best crop ever. The two shown weigh 2lb 7 ozs between them. Not one slug hole in the lot. (Must be those blue things I buried with the horse poo!).

I'm still here!

2009-07-19T23:35:00.000-07:00

Not forgotten to update things, but it's been mainly harvesting when it's not raining!

Just the odd cauli left of the first batch, peas about done, just left next year's seed on the plants, runner beans starting to come. Carrots excellent, not a trace of fly using the Enviromesh.

The onion sets are the best I've ever grown and they're still growing, (Centurion), definitely on my hit list for next year. The plants were rubbish, they've flopped over & I've dug them up, hardly any from 3 rows. Still it's an ill wind - got some early pickles - one jar shown!

Just reporting in

2009-07-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

Things ticking along now, mostly harvesting with a little maintenance. First lot of caulis nearly all in now,(a lot in the freezer this week)& peas still coming nicely.

Stacks of stuff to coffee morning again, this year we have spring onions to spare for the first time & the first courgettes made it down. No jam this week - but the excess veg raised over £36 on it's own.

The "Champion Of England" peas may have reached peak height & the pods are now coming. (See piccies).

More caulis!

2009-07-06T05:36:00.000-07:00

Today's lot, destined for my freezer!

The produce taken to coffee morning raised over £77! Had that been for my back pocket, it would have paid the year's rent on the two big plots!

Cleared & frozen the 3 rows of KW peas, got a small sample of the "Parsley" heritage pea to try today, but think may leave the best part for seed. The 3 rows of "Stokesley" are filling out well.

The winter caulis sown on the 1st, started to emerge 2 days ago - that's just 3 days outside to come up!

It's (nearly) all gone out, now it's coming in

2009-07-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

Church coffee morning time tomorrow, so I'm parting with some caulis, lettuce, spuds, (PJ's), beetroot, gooseberries & a few other odds & sods. Did I mention 25 pots of homemade jam?

Here's some of it.

Last of the major planting

2009-07-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

For now at least.

A bit behind the others, but they should catch up, 49 sweetcorn plants, (just handy for a 7x7 block). A bit late as they are replacements for those the cats "totalled" in the greenhouse.

Just a few odds & sods of herbs to plant out & successive lettuce as and when they are ready.

Another 6 "Clapton" caulis harvested & another 4 well formed ones on the way.

Winter Draws On

2009-07-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

First day of July, hottest day of the year & what have I just done - sown the winter caulilflowers! Variety "Winter Pilgrim" have done well for the last few years. Growing when they do, they avoid the worst of the club root.

Finally got the white & purple sprouters out, pricked out 72 lettuce & sowed the next lot.

Another hot day forecast tomorrow, then cooler thereon in.

At Last - A Summer Cauliflower

2009-06-30T04:27:00.000-07:00

Been away for a few days & on return have found that the "Clapton" (club root resistant) caulis are producing.

Never managed a summer one of any size before, but the club root does not seem to have bothered these. This is the first off the production line and many to follow, (I hope!).

Picking rasberries & strawberries like crazy!

Jam anyone?

Father's Day Present

2009-06-21T03:10:00.000-07:00

Got up early to do a bit of hoeing & thought I'd have a tug of the carrots.

Just to prove I've not been idle!

2009-06-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

Just a few piccies of the plot that I hope are self explanatory. The photo of the 6 strawberries is the variety called "Irresistible" from Thompson & Morgan. I have to say that the write up is spot on!

Compare the spuds (third from bottom), to how they looked 3 weeks ago!

Meanwhile...........

2009-06-11T05:18:00.000-07:00

Still planting away, 175 leeks today, great dibbing soil. Nice & soft & sides of the hole didn't fall in before you could throw the leek in.

May take some more piccies, but it still a load of netting!

Dug up the first spuds yesterday - the Swift. Couldn't wait any longer. Went well with the spring cabbage and home made mint sauce.

Think we had lamb with the veg!

Still Planting

2009-06-03T14:29:00.001-07:00

No I've not given up, more brassicas & beans gone in and more beans due shortly.

Should have over 250 bean plants in when we've done, and they haven't cost me a bean as they're all saved seed.

Pointless taking updated piccies at the moment, just more netting and more canes with small green plants at the bottom.

Planning to get the first block of sweetcorn (Swift F1) in tomorrow.

Talking about Swifts, had a furtle under the soil of my Swift spuds, looks like they are about ready to start lifting. Will finish off the spuds we have & then try them mext week.

Treading Water

2009-05-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

Metaphorically speaking - on the plot at least.

Just maintenance & watering for the past few days, keeping it ship-shape, then next week I hope to start another phase of planting with more brassicas, beans & sweetcorn to go in.

Have planted out 34 tomatoes in the home garden where I can keep a close eye on them & hopfully they will not be exposed as badly to the dreaded blight if that rears it's ugly head again this year.

The Plot Update

2009-05-26T00:02:00.000-07:00

From the top......

The recovering peas

Told you there was a lot of netting

Look close, you can just see the lettuce

The caulis under the netting

Caulis & Gooseberries

The onion patch with guest beetroot.

The new pumpkin, marrow & courgette patch, (squash to come)

Enviromesh & carrots with 32' raspberry 'hedge'

Part planted bean fence No.1

Maincrop spuds & blackcurrant

Early spuds

The Photos

2009-05-25T23:46:00.001-07:00

Brassicas Galore

2009-05-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Having got as far as I can with the beans, have started on the brassicas. 50 Brussels sprouts, Nelson & Trafalgar varieties, (must be some connection there), along with 20 Kilaxy cabbage and 10 red cabbage, (red drumhead).

Also dropped in another 36 lettuce and another half row of mange tout.

Began to dismantle the plum tree that has done just short of nothing in all the time it's been there, trying to do a branch each visit. Waste of space!

Thought about taking the camera, but at the moment a picture of one pigeon defence is pretty silimar to another!

In with the beans

2009-05-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

Nothing like changing a plan part way though.

I usually plant one bean per cane, but having seen how many I'd got, I doubled up. About 90 plants went out, leaving some 20+ canes plantless.

So - I've sown some more beans and these will hopefully mature a little bit later.

Hilled up the spuds, netted the fruit, & put lighter netting on the peas that now seem to be recovering & in fact look quite healthy.

Must remember to take camera!

Time for a good caning

2009-05-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

Been plodding along the last few days as best as could between the showers, but with a good forecast today, it was out with the canes.

This morning I had a diversion from my vegetables and put up a fence for the sweetpeas. I bought a tray a while back for £2.99 from a nationwide store that said "12 plants" on it. In reality it was 12 cells each with 4 seed. I potted these up into 48 small pots. Makes it hardly worthwile growing from seed.

This afternoon up went the bean fence. Nothing fancy, just a conventional "A" frame, 32 canes each side, 1' apart with the rows 3' apart. Next got to do something for 150climbing purple French beans!

Rain At Last

2009-05-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

Rains came yesterday so took advantage & potted loads of things up & moved things around just to look busy.

Sweetcorn had chitted & there were 71 chitted seed out of the 72 I'd attempted, so quite pleased with that, they were also potted up.

Weather can't make it's mind up, but nipped up to the plot this morning, got as far as harvesting the asparagus, hoeing the carrots & putting the supports in for the enviromesh, when it came down again.

Popped some more radish in at home, bit more re-potting and also sowed some "Champion Of England" peas that a forum member kindly sent me. They're a heritage pea & grow up to 6', so I've planted them along next doors garage wall, which is south facing & we'll see how they go.

Slowed down

2009-05-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

Things seemed to have slowed down a bit, but looking at the plants hardening off it's the calm before the storm.

Just done a bit of titivating and netted the peas in the hope it's not too late!

Looking at the 100's of plants, which are staring back at me, in a couple of weeks, if not before should the forecast be with me, I'll soon be busy again.

Have sown some more leeks today as a precaution should those the cat lay on not recover and also more squash as the previous lot seeme to be reluctant to show. If they all come up I'll have 18 plants, but hopefully have the space.

The sweetcorn I started chitting 2 days ago now needs planting. Didn't risk the airing cupboard this time!

Back Home

2009-05-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

Back from me travels.

Been to the plot and the bl**dy pigeons have been at my peas. Looks like I'll have to net again. They've never bothered before at this stage of growth. Buggers!

Apart from that, little to report, been no rain, so very little weed growth even. Wet forcast later this week.

Happy Birthday To Me

2009-04-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Bit of a break today. Spent all yesterday digging mother's garden & it's not light work.

Just a bit of gentle hoeing, potting up & sowing January King, Harrier Squash, Red Kuri Squash & purple & white sprouters.

Hope to get off to the south coast tomorrow, so no gardening reports for a while.

Pictures!

2009-04-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

I have some piccies for you now, I forgot to update yesterday, but having done two more sessions, I've now finshed the digging. I can sit back and relax.

Yeah right.

So we have some piccies of how the Kelvedon Wonder peas are doing and the caulis under the debris netting. Hopefully it's self explanatory which is which!

Rain's forecast next week & about time too!

Oh - and there's the first decent harvest of the asparagus>

Meanwhile, back at the plot...

2009-04-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Day off yesterday - man-flu! Still getting over it, but there's work to be done.

More digging - nearly there & planted nearly 40 cauliflowers, Clapton & Nautilus. Look cosy under the debris netting. Heritage peas coming through!!!!

You guessed it - Digging

2009-04-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

I reckon 3 or 4 sessions & it's cracked.

Early Nantes coming through.

Got a stinking cold, plot may be doubtful tomorrow, I finf it useful to breath whilst digging.

Got the B*&@£$%

2009-04-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Large dead snail in the greenhouse this morning - eat my pea would you?!

More digging, (soon be done), 200 onion plants in & parsnips are coming through!

Potted up over 100 chitted sweetcorn, put them in the cooler garage overnight to slow them down until I could get around to them. Still a few not chitted, so they're either not viable, or slow developers. They're back in the airing cupboard to give them a chance. 100's enough anyway for a 5 x 20 block.

Bit of this, a bit of that

2009-04-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Bit of digging, (as usual), bit of sowing. Autumn King carrots in, row of beetroot & row of spring onions.

Kelvedon Wonder still looking healthy & cut 3 cauliflower! Not very big but anything is an achievment for me cauli wise. Variety - Walcheren Winter Pilgrim.

On the down side looks like a slug or snail has attacked my one pea of the "Gladstone" variety - don't think it will survive the night - NEITHER WILL THE SLUGS OR SNAILS - I've seen to that!

Chits Away

2009-04-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd have a peek at my sweetcorn. It's only been 2 days though.

Arrrrrggggghhhhh!

Peas Progress

2009-04-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

Up to the plot again today, apart from more digging staked up the 3 rows of Kelvedon Wonder peas. Not much more to add, I'll the the picces speak for themselves.

Better Day

2009-04-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Brightened up this afternoon, so got some more digging done. Noticed that the KW peas are rocketing, so I think the first job tomorrow will be to take the nets off & stake them up.

Started the sweetcorn as threatened in two sandwich boxes. 131 seed in total, hope to get at least 100 for a block of 5 x 20. We'll see how we go. These are last year's seed, but should be OK. Bought from Moles Seeds at a fraction of the cost elsewhere.

Here's one box, the pink is an anti-fungicide.

What to do on a dank day

2009-04-17T00:22:00.001-07:00

Miserable day outside yesterday, so got on with the job of sowing 200+ climbing beans of various types, plus loads of dwarf beans.

Marrows, outdoor cues, courgettes, pumpkin & Savoy cabbage all went in, the cold greenhouse is starting to look a bit full now! Hope to start the sweetcorn chitting today.

Boring update

2009-04-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

Not been idle the last few day, but nothing really interesting.

Continued digging, the peas are coming up really thickly and started to pot on the 70 tomato plants destined for the cold greenhouse. May have a couple spare for the neighbours.

Starting to think about the Mid April sowing schedule, beans, sweetcorn etc. May give chitting the sweetcorn a go this year. Anway ...... back to the tomatoes!

Spuds in at last

2009-04-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

Day off yesterday re family commitments.

Finished th spud planting at long last & got 4 rows of heritage peas in. Also did a part row of mange tout.

Asparagus is starting to show, 3 spears poking through & the Kelvdon Wonder peas seem to be coming through quite densely.

This chart shows the spuds planted this year, (more for my benfit), row width is 32 feet. Each row is 2 feet apart, other than the maincrop, which are 2 feet 6 inches apart. Within the rows the first early spuds are 12 inches apart, second earlies 15 inches and maincrop 18 inches.

Now to mow the lawns!

Back In Action

2009-04-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

Back down the plot for a four hour session. On site by 7.30 a.m.! Two rows of "Picasso" spuds planted, "Loch Ness" blackberry tied up & more preparation.

And - YES - the Kelvedon Wonder peas are showing themselves - that's only 10 days from sowing, left outdoors to their own devices.

Planted out the tomatoes into the prepared greenhouse border. 6 x Shirley & 6 x Brandywine. Not sure where I'm going to put the spare 8, but the next door neighbour wants some.

Time to break this text up with a piccie, so here's the tomatoes!

Rainy Days & Fridays...

2009-04-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

No plot today. Rain stopped play.

Shuffled the plants around, took brassicas etc. out of the cold greenhouse & put on the patio. (6 slabs at the back of the house). Sowed more Clapton caulis & Primo Cabbage.

Pricked out lettuce & made a sucessive sowing.

Forked over the tomato beds & watered again. Chucked in load of chicken manure. Look about right for planting now. Maybe tomorrow if I get the opportunity. Hoping for finer weather to get more spuds in, would like that job out of the way!

An interesting day

2009-04-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Row of Ambo.

More digging.

Doesn't get any better than this!

Yet more diggin'

2009-04-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

More digging down the plot, have done enough now to accomodate the 5 rows of lates which I aim to put in over a few days.

Tidied Mrs Digger's strawberry patch, (the old one, not the new one I've just put in!).

Started preparing the greenhouse for the tomatoes. Going direct in the soil this year as I've got 2 compost bins that I've not touched for 5 years or so. The compost at the bottom is almost black - looks a bit of good stuff!

Heaved most of it out into the beds and begun to dig it in. The aim is to keep turning it and watering it for a few days to get it well dug in and raise the moisture level before planting the toms. Will throw in some chicken manure for good measure.

More Diggin,' More Plantin', More Sowin'

2009-04-07T09:36:00.001-07:00

More digging over to put the spuds in. Two x rows (32') of Charlotte & one row of Kestrel.

If I've got it right, there's one row of Ambo, two rows of Picasso & two rows of Sarpo Mira to go.

Sowed a row of Early Nantes carrots, half a row of mini finger carrots and half a row of "Wanganui Giant" carrots, the latter sent to me by an Ozzie member of the forum.

The pea is still growing!

Yes!!!!!!!!

2009-04-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Remember my single seed of the "Gladstone" variety - it's germinated!

Been away for the weekend & it's poked it's head though. I think this one's in for a lot of TLC!

Further Update

2009-04-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

Had a 4 hour session on the plot this morning. Finished planting the PJ's and cleared enough for the two rows of Charlotte and one row of Kestrel, plus a bit more!

Promised a photo - here's the tomatoes after their first night in the greenhouse.

Progress Report

2009-04-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

Things are starting to move now.

Moved the Shirley & Brandywine tom plants into the greenhouse & wound the wick up a bit. The seedlings of the other 5 varieties have taken their place in the window sills.

Sowed a few more herb seeds and some of those flowery things.

Down the plot I've got all the "Swift" spuds in and half the "Pentland Javelin". One more session left before we're off for another weekend away!

Must try & break this boring text up with a photo or two!

Back To The (S)log

2009-04-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

Back yesterday. Never take your eye off tomatoes. The ones I sowed a week ago had come through and had started to go a bit leggy. Emergency treatment with the old foil seems to be working.

Finally managed to get the parsnips in & three x 24' rows of Kelvedon Wonder Peas.

Next stop - spuds!

May leave it a week or two before sowing the heritage peas.

Having a small break

2009-03-27T01:25:00.000-07:00

We're having a mini-break this weekend, so I don't anticipate any updates until at least Tuesday.

It's nice to see the number of "followers" growing, even though I started this blog mainly as a diary for my own benefit. I'm pleased to share it with you.

I don't know how some of you stumbled across it, as the only link is from an allotment forum, of which I'm one of the moderators.

I don't think some of you belong to it, so may I recommend it to you, it's officially the No. 1 allotment site in the UK and you will find it at...

http://www.allotment.org.uk

Just copy/paste that into your browser & click on "Forums" and I hope to see some of you there!

Thank You Weatherman(girl)

2009-03-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

As we are thinking of going away for the weekend, I was hoping to get one more session in down the plot. Forecast was for showers this morning, clearing this afternoon. That being the case I thought - seed sowing at home a.m. - seed sowing at the plot p.m..

So we got a nice bright sunny morning with not too much wind while I was sowing away in the kitchen. At lunch time it clouded over & began to spit with rain. Winds rose, so that put paid to that idea. Parsnips & peas will have to wait until next week now.

On the bright side managed to sow the red cabbage, cucumbers and radish, which I do in a deep tray. This gives good germination and keeps the slugs away.

Oh - I also sowed some flower stuff.

More Progress

2009-03-25T10:30:00.001-07:00

Not quite as an intense day as yesterday, but we're going in the right direction. Despite the winds I braved it to the plot this afternoon. Managed to put in about 200onion sets & two rows of Paris Silverskin Onions, (seed). If these and the shallots produce well, there'll be a lot of tears at pickling time!

My intention today would have been to sow the parsnips, but with this wind it would have been broadcast sowing!

I've mentioned before about my heritage pea seed. One is called "Parsley" (pictured), because of it's unusual tendrils and the other "Stokesely" after the family who donated the seed to the Hertiage Seed Library.

I did have another "Gladstone", but the small row I was growing for seed was decimated by pigeons last year after they got under the nets. I managed to find ONE pea on the floor which I've sown in a pot today. I've no idea if it's viable or not, but it would be interesting to see if I can rescue this variety. (A lot were sent back to the Seed Library the first year I had them, so someones still got some). If it grows we'll see how many we can turn it into in a couple of years!

Catch Up Time

2009-03-25T00:05:00.000-07:00

Bear with us on this. It's more of a diary entry than anything and there's no pretty pictures!

Had quite a good day yesterday, sowed 3 types of lettuce, (Little Gem, Webbs & All Year Round), Musselburgh & Porvite Leeks, (about 200 seed), Kilaxy Cabbage, (supposed to be club root resistant),spring onions in modules, parsley to start off in a seed tray, Trafalgar & Nelson sprouts (note the connection!) - 60 in total. Potted up about 40 cauli plants from the seed I mentioned in an earlier entry.

That was the morning. In the afternoon I actually got to the plot!

Planted a load of strawberry plants - "Irresistible". Allegedly the sweetest strawberry I'll ever grow! Bred for the supermarket trade, but found too delicate to transport. OK so I fell for the advertising blub.

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/fruit1/product/p86553/1.html

Also got the shallots in, harvested 2 sacks of leeks, half a dozen humongous parsnips. Hoed the winter onion bed.

All in all not a bad day. Today's not looking so good. Cold & windy out there & I've got to go to the dentist.

Tomato Update

2009-03-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

Couple of piccies of the tomatoes. Not the best shots in the world - very awkward camera angle.

The Brandywine are the broad leaved plants - they are in the landing window with the dreaded aluminium blue tacked behind the plants. The others are the Shirley in the spare bedroom - again note the use of the aluminium foil!

Sorry for the break in transmission

2009-03-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

Apologies for not being around for a while, had problems with elderly mother suffering with progressing dementure and then I had about of illness. As a consquence I'm a bit behind now, but as my Grandfather used to say "Never mind boy, things will catch up". Whether I will is a different matter.

Not done a lot since last time, but the Shirley and Brandywine toms are all in individual pots now. Achieved 100% germination, so I've 20 of each. Both varieties of cauli also achieved 100%, so there's 20 of each needing to be potted on.

Tonight I've also made a sowing of 5 other varieties of tomato - Paul Robeson, Black Russian, Black Cherry, Tamina & Super Roma. There's a total of 80 seeds here, so there's a potential for 100 plants.

I think I may have overdone it.

Note to self.

2009-02-10T01:31:00.000-08:00

I'm also using this a a bit of a diary, so you'll have to bear with me if there's an odd note or two.

Sowed geraniums yesterday (one packet had 9 seeds - av contents 18!), feel an email to T & M coming on.

Now 19/20 tomatoes!

Time For A Quickie!

2009-02-09T01:45:00.000-08:00

Very briefly - another tomato has popped through, so that's 9/10 for each variety. The Shirley seed I sowed were bought and opened a year ago, so they've not suffered too much under my hands. (Or in the biscuit tin!).

Tomatoes Progress

2009-02-08T01:35:00.000-08:00

13 days since sowing & here's how they're looking. Sowed one seed to a cell & 17 out of 20 have germinated. Quite happy with this as the aim is to get 12 plants for the heated greenhouse.

Note the sturdiness aided by the aluminium foil!

Let It Snow!

2009-02-02T01:16:00.001-08:00

You may remember earlier in the blog, a photo of my greenhouses. Here it is repeated, but how they looked this morning! More white stuff forecast.

Typical, today's the day my tomatoes decided to poke their heads out of the compost. Wouldn't be surprised if they go back in!

Snow, carrots & a fork

2009-02-01T05:50:00.000-08:00

Had to dash to the plot as we'd run out of veg at home. Blowed if I was going to the nearest shop to buy some, despite the weather, as the nearest shop is Tesc*!

Was snowing quite well up there, but was rewarded with these beauties. The fork - well it's just for scale, but at least it's not in the carrots!

Itchy Fingers Continued

2009-01-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

Can't stand it any longer, it's that Rich's fault plus a bit of a milder day with no rain!

I've sown some "Shirley" and "Brandywine" tomatoes, as well as "Jumbo" sweet peppers. Please bear in mind that I have the facilities to put these into a heated greenhouse when the time comes. Currently they are resident in my bedroom in propagators. (Plastic bags).

One confession - I forgot which were which after I sowed them, I dare say that at some stage of development, it'll be obvious - even if it's not until they fruit!

I've 5 more varieties of tomato to sow, but they will be staggered later on with a view to some going into the unheated greenhouse and some outside.

Update on the caulis - 19 of the 20 "Clapton" have germinated and 16 of the 20 "Nautilus" so far. If I get no more I'll be reasonably happy with 35 out of 40.

2009-01-24T08:09:00.001-08:00

.......... and the first leek!

Impressed??????

Itchy Fingers Update

2009-01-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Well, things have actually popped up. Here's the Clapton Caulis.....

Blimey!

2009-01-20T04:30:00.000-08:00

Went down to the plot to do some harvesting. Still far too wet to dig. Now half way down the row of parsnips and I've been quite pleased with what's gone before, but came across this 'little' one.

4lbs 5 ozs, 16" long, 17" circumference. (That's the parsnip, not the daughter).

Won't win shows, but it'll look good on the dinner plates. (That's the parsnip, not the daughter)!

Beetroot - Gone!

2009-01-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

Took them down - turned my back and they'd gone. £12.10 left in their place. From a few pickles & jams, that's over £66 to the renovation fund since November.

There were a few disappointed customers, so I've got to raid the plot again, but I think scuba gear may be necessary! I think that's about 30 jars of pickled beetroot sold so far - someone must like the stuff!

Beetroot!

2009-01-16T07:21:00.000-08:00

More precisely, beetroot pickle. I can't stand beetroot, but a lot of people I know do.

So, being the generous, warm hearted, person I am, (did I mention modest), I only grow it for others. Towards the end of last year as I'd got about 3 x 32' rows of stuff I don't like, I thought I'd try to get rid of some as pickle, using the people at church coffee morning as guinea pigs.

I chose a complicated recipe - boil it, cool it, skin it, slice it, throw picking vinegar on it. End result was somebody bought it!

Even more amazing was the follow up request for more, so I did a raid on the soggy plot, pulled up a carrier bag of the stuff and here's the result. I hope to dispose of it safely tomorrow.

The Experiment (3)

2009-01-14T00:22:00.000-08:00

Was asked on the forums this morning how the carrots were going, so here's an excuse to put a photo in the boring text.

Slow at the moment is the answer, but at least they look healthy and are surviving! Here's to the warmer weather.

My pre-ordered seed spuds are ready for collection, so hopefully in the couple of days we'll collect all 288 of them!

Itchy Fingers (2)!

2009-01-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd try a few leeks earlier than I normally do. Mine go in about March usually, using the world renowned cat litter trays. (Well they're renowned on http://www.allotment.org.uk anyway!).

Someone not errr unconnected with that site was kind enough to send me some seeds, one of which was a packet of Carlton F1 Leeks. There's not too many in the packet, (44 as it turned out to be), which is ideal, so I've popped them in a small seed tray.

As it's still quite cold, I've go against my usual principles of germinating this type of seed indoors and I'll pop them in one of our cooler rooms until they show themselves, then it's the greenhouse for them!

Next time I make an entry I'll try & put a photo up, otherwise this is going to get a bit dull with just text, but as last time, I don't see the point of a picture of a seed tray with nothing in it.

So you'll have to bear with me, as I'm hopefully keeping this up as a diary for my own benefit, something I've never managed to do before!

Early Sowings

2009-01-07T08:01:00.000-08:00

Itchy fingers time!

Trying an early start with some cauliflower in an attempt to get a head start before the club root.

Sowed 20 of each "Nautilus F1" and "Clapton F1", the latter supposedly being club root resistant. Whilst at it came across the tail end of a packet of "Greyhound" cabbage, so in they went as well.

Also discovered in the tin the other day a couple of packets of "Hi Keeper F1" winter onions that I'd totally forgotten about. It says they're OK for spring sowing - so nothing ventured & all that..... in they went as well.

Couldn't get any "Ambo" spuds from my local source this year, (my most successful spuds last year), so I've been rummaging through the sack to find some small ones to use as my own seed to make a row.

As I didn't get many small ones, I've had to sacrifice some of the medium sized spuds, but hopefully it'll be worth it.

No photo this time, seed trays with just compost in and dormant seed spuds are not very photogenic!

The Experiment (2)

2008-12-26T01:30:00.000-08:00

Further to my previous posting about the over-winter carrots, noticed this morning that the true leaves are now appearing. Had also noticed a couple of days ago, a slug trail in one of the pots. Pleased to report that the precautions taken have resulted in one massive, but very dead slug.

Sunday Dinner

2008-12-21T04:08:00.000-08:00

Popped down the plot for some veg for Sunday dinner. Got some purple sprouting broccoli about 3 months early, swede & carrots for a root veg mash and needed a parsnip to go with it.

First one came up - too good for today for 2 people - set aside for Christmas, next one came up, also too large, so I'll give that to the lady who gives me the horse muck, next one up was only slightly smaller, but got to stop digging somewhere.

All lined up for a photo shoot with one of my smelly trainers. Weigh over 8 lbs between them.

Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb......

2008-12-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

The rhubarb on Mrs. Digger's plot is early every year. This year is not exception, apart from the fact that it's BLOOMING early. It'll get a bit of a shock come a sharp frost or two.

I've no idea of the variety, it came with the territory, but we're the first ones on our site to have rhubarb crumble each year!

Today's Pickin's

2008-12-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

Ventured up to the plot despite today's freezing temps, as we were getting low on the already harvested stuff. As three generations were here for dinner today, I thought I'd better make the effort.

Along with the leeks and carrots, these two beauties jumped into my carrier bags. (Dear Santa, can I have a trug for Christmas?).

More Up To Date

2008-11-30T03:55:00.000-08:00

Whilst looking for my pea pictures, I stumbled across a more recent photo of my plot. This was taken this year and is the view from the compost bin end. You can just see the peas in the distance!

PEAS!

2008-11-30T03:50:00.000-08:00

What can one say!

I'm a bit of a pea lover as you can see from the photos. I had not intended to put too many of my past photos on here, but to mainly stick with current ones, especially once the new season gets going.

It took a lot of persuading, but one of the other members on www.allotment.org.uk has convinced me to put up some of my pea pictures. The variety are Kelvedon Wonder.

An Experiment

2008-11-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

I said that usually there is not much in the green- houses, but this year, inspired by a posting on the forums on www.allotment.org.uk, I'm trying some over winter carrots, "Nantes Furbund".

I have six deep pots and hope to have a tasty early crop, but the proof of the carrot will be in the eating!

This Is Where It All Starts

2008-11-30T02:48:00.000-08:00

Our modest rear garden and the two green- houses. The one on the left has a little heating in if needed and is insulated with bubble wrap. Doesn't contain much over winter usually, apart from a few cacti barely clinging to life.

This one is used in spring with a little warmth to raise the seedlings for the allotment, following which they are moved to the unheated greenhouse to begin the process of hardening off.

Once moved out of the warm greenhouse, the tomato plants that have been raised indoors will be moved in. This will be followed later by cucumbers, peppers etc. in the other one, once the allotment plants are outside. This 'conveyer belt' system seems to work reasonably well.

Ah - There It Is!

2008-11-30T00:40:00.000-08:00

This is the plot a few months later, including the repair of the rotten shed window.

It was a bit late in the year for planting a lot now, but we managed to stick a few spuds, pumpkins, peas and lettuce in as we went.

A good indicator of the passage of time in the bean fence of a neighbouring plot holder, to the upper left of the picture. Compare this to the 'before' photo'!

Judith is holding the fork to show that it was all her own work.

Not.

There's An Allotment Somewhere

2008-11-30T00:36:00.000-08:00

This is Judith's plot, (Mrs. DD). This time I had the foresight to take a photo before starting to tackle it.

You can't see, but the previous tenant's idea of making 'raised beds' was to dig trenches. These had to be filled in as we cleared. I was lucky not to break a leg or three.

From The Archives

2008-11-30T00:31:00.000-08:00

This is my plot, taken a couple of years ago, I never thought at the time to take a 'before' photo. The whole plot was covered in nettles, dock leaves and the like to a height of over 1m.

The plot extends as far as the three green compost bins you can just see in the distance.

Welcome

2008-11-30T00:27:00.001-08:00

I have decided to join my fellow allotmenteers in creating a blog to follow the year round progress.

Maybe November is not a good place to start, as little is happening, but it will give me chance to get up to speed with the world of blogging.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term "allotment", in the UK, (and some other countries), we are able to rent from the local council, or other oganisations, an area of garden in order to grow our fruit and vegetables.

Between my wife and myself we have two quite large plots and one smaller one, totalling about 800 square metres, plus a small rear garden with two greenhouses, used early in the year as a nursery for my allotment plants & then later for tomatoes, cucumbers etc.

As I update this blog I hope to show you a few past photos as well as current ones.