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Post by sooliz on Jul 23, 2017 12:52:38 GMT
We're now eating plenty from the garden - new potatoes, carrots, peas, courgettes, tomatoes, cucumber and salad leaves. All the blackcurrants, strawberries and blueberries are now in the freezer, we're getting a small bowlful of raspberries every other day (they're the last of the early summer ones, the autumn ones, which crop heavier, are yet to come). Got some lovely big green peppers, can't wait for them to turn yellow.
Will have a nice crop of Fiesta eating apples and Conference pears for the first time this year. Must go back to the place where we found the Mirabelle plum tree and pick some.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jul 24, 2017 11:17:30 GMT
My Cucumbers are the Size of small Bananas now, but the Courgettes are rotting, before they come to anything, not surprising, with the Rain we have had.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jul 24, 2017 19:52:13 GMT
Watered everything in Pots, they still need it every Day, my Tomatoes colouring up. Gave the Spinich, and Cauliflowers a Feed for their Leaves, Lettuce too, although lost One to the Pigeons, had to Net them, should have done it before. Then everything else had a Feed of Tomorite, so expecting great Things.I will have to ask my Friend to bring me more Pots, as put leftover Flower Plants in front of the Potato Bed, and there is a Gorgeous Orange Geranium, tucked away in a Corner, want to Pot it up, so I can keep it Over Winter, and take Cuttings from it, a most unusual Colour. Am away to my Bed, been going to Bed earlier, and getting up earlier, suits me better.
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Post by Aly on Jul 25, 2017 6:32:02 GMT
Picked the first two cucumbers yesterday so gave one to daughter. Courgettes still coming!
I have wanted a herb garden for ages. Have decided to get another tractor tyre to make a herb bed. eventually it will be incorporated into a decking area but I cannot wait that long!
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Post by ambersparkle on Jul 25, 2017 8:06:30 GMT
Could not do without my Herbs, I renew them every Year, and keep in a very large Pot, nearest the Kitchen Door, but not in the Shadow of the House entirely, so they have semi Shade, which is what they seem to like.
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Post by Aly on Jul 27, 2017 13:10:41 GMT
The wind keeps blowing my gala apples off the tree. They are still a bit too smal to pick.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jul 29, 2017 13:13:57 GMT
That's a bummer Aly, could you use them to make Pectin? Ian dug up my main Crop of Potatoes, this Morning, so looking forward to tasting them with my Salad for Dinner. Too windy now to be pleasant in the Garden, and am too dozy with the high Pollen Count to do much.
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Post by Aly on Jul 29, 2017 13:53:13 GMT
They are a treat for the geese! Had heavy rain here, good for the water butt!
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emgee
New Member
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Post by emgee on Jul 30, 2017 21:27:31 GMT
Aly, Hi, You made recent reference in your blog to "no-dig" as a method to develop your potager. I suspect you saw the Gardeners World feature with CHARLES DOWDING? You may be interested in looking at his website with forum and features on the process on conversion.See: charlesdowding.co.ukIt really has been an easy method that has enabled me to convert a small, borrowed, corner of a clay field into a very productive plot, now in its second season, with no "artificial" inputs, modest outlay and no drawbacks, beyond sourcing sufficient cardboard cartons and organic manure/compost. I most seriously recommend this method, its possible to be progressive and proceed at ones own pace, reflecting needs, time, inputs etc. |
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Post by Aly on Jul 31, 2017 6:58:59 GMT
Thanks Emgee
I have started using this method and have one of his books. I have lots of cardboard saved ready for the veg patch as the raised beds empty. When I set up the polytunnel I prepared it as no dig. I am getting a few weeds in there now which are easily pulled out by hand.
This is definetly the way to garden for me.
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Post by sooliz on Jul 31, 2017 7:26:58 GMT
Thanks for the link, Emgee - and welcome, by the way!
I'll show that website to husband later - he has plans for another raised bed but is finding it harder to dig as he gets older.
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Post by sooliz on Jul 31, 2017 14:14:56 GMT
We're now thinking about crops for autumn/winter, we've ordered 100 young plants for £25 from ebay. There are 20 each of Savoy cabbage, red cabbage, sprouts, PSB and Romanesco caulis. They're not plug plants but strong healthy young plants grown in fields, coming from Cornwall. Any spares will be shared with our neighbour (we swap plants and produce all the time).
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emgee
New Member
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Post by emgee on Jul 31, 2017 21:10:48 GMT
Thanks for the link, Emgee - and welcome, by the way! I'll show that website to husband later - he has plans for another raised bed but is finding it harder to dig as he gets older. Hi, thanks for the welcome. Noting that you are in Somerset, if you are interested in Charles's method, he offers an open day invitation: www.charlesdowding.co.uk/event/home-acres-open-day-sept-3rd-1-5pm/, he's at BA4 6PZ (HOMEACRES) ,which may be close to you. I went last year, and apart from the excellent crops and very friendly welcome, thoroughly enjoyed the tea and homebakes! No admission charge, just turn up and enjoy.(Tea and cakes for a charity donation, his books will be on sale and no obligation to buy them all! I have attempted to attach 3 photos of my "conversion", a piece of land that barely grew weeds! week 1 20/03/2016 week 20 (about 25/11/16 year 2 12/07/2017 Only "topsoil" , seen in heap in picture 1, less the brick-ends!,    used on cardboard and 3-4" well rotted cow manure |
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Post by sooliz on Aug 1, 2017 5:55:52 GMT
Hi Emgee, it's not near us (Somerset is a big county, as you may know. Do you live here?), but it may be worth a day out.
You have a very well stocked garden (or allotment?), lots of hard work gone into it.
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Post by Aly on Aug 1, 2017 6:37:46 GMT
Looks good. Mine is still plagued by weeds although a lot of wild poppies live there too. I hope to get it in control this year! One we get onto pruning the trees I wil have lots of mulch!
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