Just after my last post (20th May) I planted out the Brussels sprouts and the cauliflower. I'm not sure how the cauli's will do as they are supposed to be a bit fickle. The plants themselves are getting large and look the best of all the brassicas but we'll have to see how they do. I'm really hoping to get some decent heads - fingers crossed. (Pic - sprouts and cauli's are planted under nets).
Having put my bean poles up I planted out the runner and French beans on 22nd May. They were going a bit yellow in their root trainers despite some liquid feeding so I thought it best that they go in the ground.
I stuck them in with a few trowels of rough compost and sprinkled some slug protection around them. I'm not a big fan of slug pellets but I've tried other things and they do the best job. Without protection I've had whole crops decimated overnight - it's just a waste of time trying to grow anything without some way to control the slugs.
The following day after the beans went in I took the covers off the final bed. This patch is where the Winter squashes will be planted in a fortnight. The ground was in good condition, still showing the ridges where I tilled it in the Autumn. Covers removed, it didn't take long to give them a quick till over. Things will settle over the next few days.
Talking of the tiller, I've made some small infrastructure alternations on the plot too. Since having the little petrol tiller I have found that the paths and edging that divide my plot into beds have become more of a hindrance than a help. Also, the paths have been there for a number of years now and the weed suppressing plastic has broken leaving large gaps allowing weeds to flourish. So, on the original end of the plot, I've taken two paths up creating one large square bounded by a single path dividing it from the fruit bed. (Pic - dividing path being cleared of rubbish and weeds).
I've laid some scaffolding planks where the paths used to be so I can plant out the last of the crops. These planks can stay there or, be moved around as required. It will be easy get them out of the way when it's time to till the areas in the Autumn. (Pic - the paths are replaced by planks).
That's it for now - until the next update ...
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