31 May - Runner Beans, Brassicas & Plot Alterations

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 ...

20 May - Carrot Fly & Bean Poles

We've had nice days and wet days recently - it's been a case of dodging the showers if I want to get anything done. Despite the variable weather I've a load of brassicas and beans hardening off outside the greenhouse waiting for a little warm weather to be planted.

Talking of beans, the annual bean pole erection contest has got under way across all the allotment sites in the UK. I'm a bit crap at putting up bean poles, they never look straight compared to other peoples'. I've written a little guide entitled 'What Kind Of Bean Pole Erector Are You?' - I know which one I am. Anyway, the canes have gone up and the bean plants will go out at the first sign of warm weather.

Carrot fly can attack plants from late May to June. We had a touch of it last year on my site, not massive amounts but enough to make me want to try and cover them up with some protection. I got hold of a few plastic poles and some horticultural fleece which have provided some little tunnels. I will need to thin some of the carrots but this attracts the carrot fly which can detect scent a mile away. It seems that thinning in the evening is the best time and I'll be using scissors to snip off the foliage I don't want so I can quickly cover up the row again.

I've started planting the brassicas out, a row of kohl rabi went in a few weeks back and, as they are looking healthy, I've planted my Primo II Summer cabbage as well. I think I'll get my Cauli's and Brussels Sprouts out soon too.

Finally, one of my new hens has started to lay. The picture below shows a dark egg from one of my older hens on the right and a lighter egg, which turned out to contain a double yolk, from my Light Sussex cross on the left.

Bye for now.