Slug attack!
Oh well. With all the rain we’ve had I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. This last week seems to have been more about feeding the local pest population than growing produce for our plates! The flowers we had planted out last week were the favourite targets, some sunflowers had been totally decimated. We had bought some more organic pellets during the week and within about five minutes of arriving at the plots we had used almost a full bottle! To fill the bare spaces we planted out some chrysanthemums as they were bursting out of their tray.
We also planted out the ipomoea. We had grown some last year but left them and left them and they were never put out but even then they grew some beautiful deep purple flowers shaped like trumpets. This year I was determined to do them justice. Having wanted some more information about where they are suited to and how they grow I did some googling and discovered they can grow up to 5 metres tall! Not sure I realised that when I bought the seeds! Or that they are the same family as bindweed. They grow in the same climbing fashion, twisting round things. As soon as I told Neil that, he wasn’t keen on planting them out in case they run riot with their roots! As a compromise I planted them along the back fence of plot 118 as this gives them something to grow up without risking them spreading further.
We did a lot of watering, the tomatoes were ready for tying up and needed side shooting again. I also gave them some feed for the first time this season. They’ve grown so big in the last week they needed moving to their final spacing which meant Neil had to dismantle the side staging to make room. We potted on the peppers (new ace) and the chillies (jalapeño) and everything looks quite tidy in plot 97 greenhouse.
Outside things were looking quite good. The beetroot and carrots I sowed (or in the case of the beetroot replanted!) had germinated really well, as had the turnips which I thinned out as they were already a good size. The chard and parsnips were fairing slightly less well, so I’ll check their progress next week and see if any more sowings are required!
Despite the warm weather Neil did a mountain of digging! He cleared enough space for the hoops and canes that will cover the brassicas in the next week or two.
The sun also meant we have signs of ripening, the redcurrants are turning blush pink and there were quite a few strawberries tantalisingly close to being ready. Am just hoping the liberal scattering of pellets means the slugs will have left some for us!
And a sunny note for the end, thanks to Bob for a lovely bunch of beautiful sweet williams to brighten up the living room!
Last of the long weekends…for now!
We knew that Neil’s ironman next weekend would mean that our visit would likely be limited to watering, so Bank Holiday Monday was a whopper of a day and fortunately it was dry and sunny all day. We had loads of planting out to do and suddenly we realised we didn’t have much space left other than areas which still needed digging over. It’s funny how you soon fill everywhere up! So Neil was a digging hero and just kept on going, which meant we had room for the dahlias, sunflowers and lupins. Some of the taller sunflower varieties needed stakes next to them so we can tie them up as they grow.
We also tied up the climbing beans which are starting to wind their way up their cane wigwam. The potatoes had gone from just peeking through the top of the soil at the end of last week to growing fully above the soil so Neil earthed them up.
We always try to avoid the brassicas getting too leggy, which can be a challenge at this time of year when the weather varies from hot to cool and back again and greenhouses are not the best place for them for very long. But put them out too soon and they are vulnerable to slugs, caterpillars and other pests. Some were ready to be potted on and to be kept outside of the coldframe, so we potted on the cabbage (candissa, red drumhead and pointed red kalibos), cauliflower (snowball) and the Brussel sprouts. The hastings variety of sprout had done much better than the Wellington variety we have previously used and so I only actually potted those on, consigning the others to the compost pile. There are only so many sprouts a two person household needs, even with Neil’s love of them!
There was some sowing to be done in the greenhouse as all of the remaining squash were ready to be sown before the end of May. We have autumn crown, metro pmr f1, little gem rolet, bon bon, buttercup and crown prince f1. I also had to do some re-sowing. Only one or two Savoy cabbages survived the hot greenhouse a couple of weeks ago so I sowed some more. The cucumbers that we put into the greenhouse beds on plot 118 were ready to go into their final spots. Outside, either a hot burst of weather or a gang of slugs had meant that the germination of beetroot and parsnip had been pretty patchy so I sowed more of these also. The new sowings outside included turnips (snowball and Milan purple top) and carrots (early market, flyaway f1 and autumn king 2).
There were two remaining beds on plot 97 that we had yet to dig over and add manure to and given it will only be a couple of weeks until they have to have plants in, now was to time to do this job so that the soil isn’t too acidic with manure when plants go in. One of the beds was where we had taken the strawberries out from a few weeks ago. They had probably been in for three or more years and once the plants were removed you could really see the difference between that bed and the others which have had manure and compost added to them a couple of times each year. So we added much more matter to it than we usually would, just to get it up to the same depth as the rest.
We also planted out the pak choi which look super healthy at the moment and will hopefully benefit from being in a partially shaded bed so that they don’t bolt. We even managed some comprehensive weeding, meaning that both plots were in a great state to be left for a further week or two before our next visit. This year seems to be the year of the mare’s tail, I’m waiting for it to be declared a delicacy in the finest restaurants so that we can feast like kings as we are certainly experts at growing it! Fingers crossed there won’t be much more of it when we get back this weekend!
Yet another three day weekend
We really are being spoiled with the run of three day weekends we have had since Easter, it’s a shame we have to wait until August now for the next one!
After coming back from Spain on Thursday we knew that while there had been some warm days, there had been mostly cooler temperatures and quite a bit of rain. This was to bode well for how things had got on in our absence! However, as predicted last week the tray of calabrese that had suffered in the heat had not had a miraculous recovery and so I had to sow some more calabrese green sprouting, purple sprouting and summer purple sprouting broccolis. But at least the old dried out tray did not go to waste, as we discovered the culprit in ‘cat bum gate’!
We had a lovely lunch with friends today so we only got to the plot after 4pm. We had a long list of things we wanted to get done and managed to check off quite a few items despite the late hour. The tomatoes have come on well and suddenly looked tall and full of side shoots, so Neil removed them and tied them up.
We potted on the aubergines (jackpot and long purple) and most of the courgettes. Although, oddly, the zucchini variety hadn’t germinated at all so I popped another few seeds while we potted on the rest. We also potted on the chillies (which I think we were on the third or fourth sowing of after a strange run of issues with them!) and as a result of all of these jobs, Neil had to take down one side of the staging to make extra room.
On a slightly smaller scale I sowed some more Savoy cabbages as they had some patchy germination and I pricked out some leeks (almera) into larger pots to get them a bit stronger while also sowing a large pot of the jolant variety.
In the greenhouse on 118 Neil hacked back some of the grapevine, and I do mean hacked back. It grows with abandon and I’m convinced that the harsher you treat it, the more it likes it! We try and train a central line along the apex of the greenhouse roof so that it doesn’t get too much in the way of the other produce in there but it still persists in trying to, literally, branch out!
As for outside jobs, there was lots of re-jigging of the coldframe to be done to fit in the cauliflower (snowball), zinnia, aster (milady), chrysanthemum (mixed) and celeriac (prinz) that were ready for some cooler conditions. I also gave the shallots a water, as while they didn’t need the moisture after a lot of rain in the last day or so, they did need some organic feed as they had some yellowing tips and generally looked in need of a bit of a boost.
We dug up the spinach that had most definitely gone to seed! In fact I was joking that we had been keeping it in until it grew as tall (yes I said tall!) as me. Well it had exceeded that height, so it was most definitely time for it to come out. We’ll add some manure and feed to the bed once we dig it over to get it ready for whatever is next to come.
There are still jobs left on the list for tomorrow’s bonus weekend day but we are hoping for drier conditions to get more done outside, fingers crossed.
Pre holiday panic!
We were due to go on holiday on Sunday, straight after the Great Manchester 10km, so an hour or two on Saturday was all the time we had to do some of the jobs that really couldn’t wait until our return.
The peas and sweetpeas had been outside for a couple of days and were ready to be planted. Leaving them for much longer, particularly if the weather was going to be warm would have made them too leggy and pot bound. So we planted them out along with the climbing French beans and the broad beans. The previous days had been quite hot and due to not being on mid week to water, the broad beans were very flopped over. They looked a bit pathetic after planting out but it didn’t take long for the good soaking to start to work and they looked much perkier by the time we left.
There were a few other casualties to the heat. The sprouting broccoli and calabrese varieties I sowed last week and which had germinated successfully had completely collapsed and despite watering they didn’t look as if they would recover-it would be pretty miraculous if they did but we’ll see! It is always a bit of a worry that there will be a heat wave while you are away but by planting out what we did we gave ourselves the best chance of things being in good nick when we get back!
It’s raining, it’s pouring!
We knew we were in for a wet weekend this weekend. We also knew that Saturday was a working party day at the site. Always seems to be the way! Thankfully it didn’t put everyone off and despite having to periodically hide from the heavy downpours, there were up to 17 members helping out! The plan was to clear some of the back of site 3 so that a poly tunnel could be dismantled and brought across from the bottom end of site 2.
We made good progress, clearing a large area, laying membrane, taking the poly tunnel apart and bringing the parts over. Unexpectedly, there was also the offer of about 60 flagstones from a local house, which are going to be used around the tunnel. Given the number of helpers and the fact that Steve had his van, it was too good an opportunity to miss, so after two trips and endless carrying of flags, they too were shifted onto the cleared site.
After all the work on the site, we didn’t manage a great deal of time on our own plots, but then again we didn’t have a very long list of things to achieve. Last weekend, after the monthly meeting we did manage a short burst in the greenhouse before we set off to Milton Keynes for Neil’s race. I planted a selection of brassicas and by this week they were all sprouted-borecole (scarlet), calabrese (minicole and green sprouting), sprouting broccoli (purple and red arrow), cabbage (tundra) and broccoli (summer purple).
All the things going on in the greenhouse meant it was time to start moving some more stuff out to the coldframe. We took the dahlias, lupins and marigolds out of the coldframe and to take their place transferred some of the brassicas and all the broad beans, climbing French beans and peas in.
We then potted on all of the tomato varieties into both greenhouses, digging the pots into the greenhouse beds in the 118 greenhouse. We put a handful of organic feed pellets into the tubs before transplanting.
Then on to slightly more delicate transplanting, pricking out the zinnia and chrysanthemum into separate cells. One thing is for sure, I think we will have plenty of flowers this year! A slightly amusing bit of innovation from Neil while in the greenhouse. It became obvious that our tray of pak choi was providing a comfy warm seat for one of the resident allotment cats. So Neil fashioned an anti cat bum device. Here’s hoping it works!
We know we don’t have a lot of time next weekend and so it was good to get these jobs done as while they weren’t urgent, by the time another week had passed they really would be! Now all we need is some sunshine to dry off!
Always ‘things to do’
Glorious sunshine on Saturday and given the forecast worsens for the rest of the bank holiday weekend and Neil has the minor distraction of another marathon to run on Monday we thought we would make the most of it today.
In a fit of giddiness of being ahead with our ‘things to do’ plan we did some more planting. The first of the seeds to be sown straight outside this year were parsnips (countess and imperial), spinach (medania and perpetual), chard (red and rainbow) and beetroot (boltardy, forono, golden and barbabietola di chioggia).
More planting in the greenhouse of green and purple basil, melon (Blenheim orange), courgette (zucchini, jemmer, tondo chiaro di nizzi and dundoo) and cucumber (gherkin and burpless tasty green). Things that had not even germinated last week, such as the cucino cucumbers or Savoy cabbages, had grown pretty tall, all in six days. Some of the brassicas were growing so well that they needed thinning out, especially as we have no need for 50 plus red cabbages! Neil got busy snipping with the scissors-cruel but necessary! He also pricked out the pak choi and in a bit of an experiment put some in black growing bags and some in a seed tray to see which fares best.
Due to the warmer weather the onions and garlic looked like they could do with some water so I watered them with some organic feed which should perk them up. I always worry about how much this feeds the weeds too as I’m sure things like mares tail must love it! We did some outside sowing of flowers too. Cornflowers were sewn in ‘deep masses’ and poppies were cast in ‘majestic drifts’ according to packet instructions. Otherwise known as fling ’em in and see what happens!
Neil, always one to be tempted by an internet purchase, had added a white marker to his order when getting some seeds online and now it had arrived was keen to try making some signs for our crops. So we used it on some slate pieces that we have previously written on with chino-graph pencil with only short term success. Apparently it is waterproof but can be easily removed with soapy water. Stand by for reviews of its progress in a few weeks time. Meanwhile Neil thinks any allotment judges will like the extra effort to make the place look nice!
Having emptied the manure bay on plot 97 with recent loads to dig into the plots, Neil filled it back up again while there was spare manure in the communal bays. He also put about 6 barrows of it at the end of plot 118 which was only cleared of the kale a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure digging it all in will appear on the ‘things to do’ list for coming weeks! So much for being ahead, there are always jobs to be done!
Fixing it up
This weekend was a bit of a DIY based weekend with lots of bits and pieces being finished up and by the end of a couple of days at the plots things were ship shape.
Neil had a day off and used it to pop to the glass merchants for some large glass pieces to replace those we lost in the storms. It’s only so long you can have a greenhouse with half of one side open to the elements! This was all fitted with no problems, despite the fretting I always do when Neil is working with glass! Neil also finished off the coldframe and so we could start filling it up with some of the flowers that will be too warm in the newly sealed up greenhouse. Our dahlias and lupins were ready to prick out and thanks to Bob giving us some spare ice flowers we suddenly looked like we had quite a selection of flowers, we just have to make sure we are disciplined in planting them out in a timely fashion which has been our downfall previously. We just need to come up with a way of opening the frame to varying levels, until then a snazzy wood baton will have to do!
While I weeded the strawberry and asparagus beds Neil was suspiciously quiet but all became clear after a short while. He had been on a bit of cleaning up frenzy and had quickly fashioned a tool board to hang everything up. No more losing screwdrivers for him! He also did a good tidy and sweep out of the shed on plot 97. A braver man than me given all the spiders that have taken up residence there over the winter! (note: first strawberry flowers of the year spotted, only two visible so far).
Neil finally replaced the wheel on our wheelbarrow and collected a celebratory couple of barrows of manure to test it out! My mum visited on the Sunday and joined us in some weeding (thanks Mum!) which extended to the clearing the front of plot 97. Having cleared our front so well it was a shame to stop there and so all three of us blitzed the front of our neighbour’s plot opposite. It was a bit neglected and nettles and brambles were straying into the path so as well as helping them out it makes things a bit nicer for us too and with three pairs of hands it was quick work.
Looking forward to another bank holiday next weekend. After all this time enjoying the plots we are actually *whispers it so we don’t jinx ourselves* ahead of plan!
Recipe: Rhubarb curd
We had loads of rhubarb to harvest this weekend, more than we needed really so I thought I would make something to use it all up and rhubarb curd was the solution. This is a great base recipe that you can add more flavours too, such as vanilla, ginger, cardamom, lemon, orange (although not all at once!)
Rhubarb curd is a lovely blush pink colour if using forced rhubarb. Outdoor rhubarb tastes just as yummy but has a muted colour and looks not unlike a darker lemon curd once it is cooled and in the jars.
This recipe yields 4 jars, about 1200g at a guess as the jars were a higgledy piggledy bunch!
750g rhubarb, washed and roughly chopped
5 large eggs, beaten
225g caster sugar
260g unsalted butter, cut into small cubes.
Start by washing your jars and lids in hot soapy water and sterilizing them in the oven while you make the curd.
Whizz the rhubarb in a food processor until broken down to a pulp. Put into a sieve over a large bowl and using the back of a spoon press the juice out as much as you can. Add any optional flavourings at this stage.
Put the bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. Add the eggs and sugar and lightly whisk until the eggs are incorporated. Then add the butter and using a wooden spoon keep stirring all the time. Once the butter has melted, the mix will start to gradually thicken. Don’t rush this stage as the mix can curdle if heated too much. Just keep stirring until it has thickened so that it will cost the back of the spoon.
Sieve the mix through a fine mesh sieve and pour into the jars. It thickens as it cools so once the jars are cooler place in the fridge. The curd keeps for a couple of weeks in the fridge.
Bank holiday boom part 3
We managed another few hours at the allotments again and this afternoon was a scorcher! Still quite gusty but a lovely warm wind and sunny enough to get a bit of colour.
Neil’s main task was to continue building the cold frame. After a visit to screwfix for some hardware and a full charge of the power saw he was able to start putting together the frame he built yesterday and cut the Perspex pieces. He didn’t quite finish putting the Perspex in and he wants to design someway of keeping the top propped open but it looks great! I think he is planning on a coat of woodstain once it is all constructed.
I pulled up the brassicas from under the netted tunnels. Most had gone to seed bar one little cavolo nero plant which I left in as we can probably get another crop or two from it before it’s done. Was a bit sad that it was the end of the sprouting broccoli as we have had bumper crops compared to previous years and it has been so tasty. We had the last of it with our roast this evening. I think the netting creates a good environment for weeds as I had to pull loads of them out and lots of grass seeds had sprouted from the manure that had been around them so it was a good couple of buckets of weeds to remove.
I think I had the clearing bug then as I cleared out the strawberry bed on plot 97. It was the last bit of plot 97 to need any work doing so it was satisfying to finish that job. We had such a good year with the strawberry bed on plot 118 last summer and we have extended that with the runners we grew, so another bed of inferior cropping plants was unnecessary. So they were all dug up ready to make space for another crop. I kept a handful to one side and planted them up in a container as mum might like to try some for her garden.
The digging up of the strawberries brought the robin back for grubs and there were other signs of wildlife enjoying the sun.
I finished off with some weeding on plot 118, which is finished aside from the area where we have some green manures that need digging in. Hopefully the weeds won’t all be back by next weekend!
Recipe: Leek, broccoli and bean orzo with halloumi
This recipe served two but is easily scaled up or down and can use lots of things you might bring home from the plot. This weekend we came back with the last of our leeks which have been a great crop this year as well as a tray of purple sprouting broccoli which has been the most successful we have ever grown despite an inauspicious start. But there is no reason why you couldn’t use other veg, such as spinach, chard or peas as alternatives, depending on what you have available and what you like to eat.
Knob of butter
Splash of olive oil
2 large leeks, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
Leaves from a few sprigs of thyme
150g orzo
1 tin of cannellini beans, drained (or flageolet or butter beans)
Bunch of sprouting broccoli (or other veg as suggested above)
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp cream cheese
Handful of grated Parmesan cheese
Block of halloumi cheese, sliced.
Melt the butter with a splash of oil over a medium heat. Add the leeks, garlic and thyme and cook down for about 10 mins until tender. Meanwhile add the orzo and the beans to a pan of boiling water for about 8mins. Halfway through this cooking time add your broccoli or any other veg you are using to the boiling water. When done, drain and add to the leeks with the lemon zest and juice and a generous amount of seasoning.
Heat a frying pan to medium high and fry the halloumi in a splash of oil until golden on both sides. Stir the cream cheese and Parmesan through the leek, bean and orzo mix and serve with the halloumi on top. Enjoy!
adapted from a recipe appearing in April 2014 issue of Delicious magazine
Recent Comments