Well what a long time since my last post!
BIL sent us loads of garlic in with Millie's birthday present so i planted it today. Goodness knows whether or not it will survive. The planting conditions were less than perfect (ie it wasn't quite sub-zero but not far off) TBH, for all i know that may be ideal, i have never planted it this time of year before. I planted 49 cloves in total so now we will just have to wait and see.
Quick update on the pond...
Well after several weeks of it looking rather dodgy, loads of algae etc the water is now crystal clear. Can't wait for the tadpoles in spring, we will get a much better view than last time.
the rest of the garden is a complete mess still. I haven't even planted a single bulb and time is running out!
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Sunday, September 28, 2003
Saturday, September 27, 2003
Yay! Yay! Yay! We got the pond cleared. i say *we* but actually DP did most of it as it was REALLY hard work and i have weedy arms.
Hard at work
I don't think the Irises could ever have been thinned out before as they had taken over the majority of the pond. Their root system alone was about 15cm deep and had formed a thick matt over the base. Beneath that was a layer of stinky sludge, so the pond turned out to be a good foot deeper than we thought! We decided to remove all the irises (as it was easier) and we have hacked a few off to put back in. We will also get a few other plants now that we have the space - it looks about 3 times the size now!!! DP had to be very careful as there were so many frogs in there and we saw at least 3 baby ones.
Difficult to tell i know, but the baby frog above it is about 2-3cm long
We created a "beach" area, so the frogs can get in and out, with some pebbles as there wasn't one before (well they didn't need one as the roots made it much more shallow.) and we replaced the "frog house" so they have some shelter. Now we just need to replace the vegetation as soon as we can and put the water snails back and it will all be lovely :o)
I don't think the Irises could ever have been thinned out before as they had taken over the majority of the pond. Their root system alone was about 15cm deep and had formed a thick matt over the base. Beneath that was a layer of stinky sludge, so the pond turned out to be a good foot deeper than we thought! We decided to remove all the irises (as it was easier) and we have hacked a few off to put back in. We will also get a few other plants now that we have the space - it looks about 3 times the size now!!! DP had to be very careful as there were so many frogs in there and we saw at least 3 baby ones.
We created a "beach" area, so the frogs can get in and out, with some pebbles as there wasn't one before (well they didn't need one as the roots made it much more shallow.) and we replaced the "frog house" so they have some shelter. Now we just need to replace the vegetation as soon as we can and put the water snails back and it will all be lovely :o)
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Eeek! *How* long since i last posted.........
Well the garden (general) is in a real state ATM. I have started the pruning/clearing process but it is S-L-O-W. In the veg garden we are still harvesting lots of runner beans and tomatoes. Not as many as a few weeks ago but still a basketful every 2/3 days. The peas are in full swing but look vert insignificant compared to the ones i planted in the spring. They were "Alderman" and grew to be about 6ft tall whereas these "Kelvedon Wonder" are only about a foot high. They are nice but i don't think they are as sweet as Alderman.
We had our first sweetcorn a couple of weeks ago and very nice it was too - far superior to anything in the shops. There are about 3 more to come but not sure if they will reach maturity as it has become quite cool now. Ditto the squash. We have loads on the vine (is it a vine???) but i don't know how long they take to form. I really hope we get at least one as i love butternut squash.
I have been thinking ahead to next year. I definitely need to dig in more organic matter before next years effort as the soil does not hold onto water that well. However before all that i need to get DP to repair the crumbling beds. They have been built with regular house bricks, i think, and the years of frost damage they have endured has meant that some of the walls are just crumbling away :o( Have thought about Link-a-Bordbut not sure how strong they are and how long they'd last. Would prefer brick again really but time is a problem....unless we get someone else to do it.
As for crops next year i will definitely do:
Tomatoes - Though i'd like to try a different variety(ies)
Courgettes - Perhaps not soooo many as this year!
French Beans - These were so delishious i think i would even go for the same variety
Lettuce - maybe a few different types instead of just the one
Onions and Garlic - Would like to do double the amount if i have space. Not sure if i would do Salad Onions again as they take so long to grow.
Sweetcorn - i would plant more if possible to try and eliminate what happened this year.
Peas - Will try and do an early row too
Won't bother with:
Calabrese - too many caterpillars. Wasn't sucessful at all this year!
Wild Rocket - Always bolts very quickly.
Cucumber - unless i have a greenhouse.
Leaf Beet - Only like it as a salad ingrediant and it soon seems to go "woody" so it's lifespan for this is short.
Potentials:
Butternut Squash - though i'd like to taste my crop form this year first.
Runner Beans - not sure....i like them but DP prefers French Beans so not sure if better just to do double of those.
Potatoes - Never tired these before so would like to have a go.
Not sure what else yet. If i have a green house i'd like another bash at growing peppers and chillies.
Task for this weekend.....clearing out the pond.
Well the garden (general) is in a real state ATM. I have started the pruning/clearing process but it is S-L-O-W. In the veg garden we are still harvesting lots of runner beans and tomatoes. Not as many as a few weeks ago but still a basketful every 2/3 days. The peas are in full swing but look vert insignificant compared to the ones i planted in the spring. They were "Alderman" and grew to be about 6ft tall whereas these "Kelvedon Wonder" are only about a foot high. They are nice but i don't think they are as sweet as Alderman.
We had our first sweetcorn a couple of weeks ago and very nice it was too - far superior to anything in the shops. There are about 3 more to come but not sure if they will reach maturity as it has become quite cool now. Ditto the squash. We have loads on the vine (is it a vine???) but i don't know how long they take to form. I really hope we get at least one as i love butternut squash.
I have been thinking ahead to next year. I definitely need to dig in more organic matter before next years effort as the soil does not hold onto water that well. However before all that i need to get DP to repair the crumbling beds. They have been built with regular house bricks, i think, and the years of frost damage they have endured has meant that some of the walls are just crumbling away :o( Have thought about Link-a-Bordbut not sure how strong they are and how long they'd last. Would prefer brick again really but time is a problem....unless we get someone else to do it.
As for crops next year i will definitely do:
Tomatoes - Though i'd like to try a different variety(ies)
Courgettes - Perhaps not soooo many as this year!
French Beans - These were so delishious i think i would even go for the same variety
Lettuce - maybe a few different types instead of just the one
Onions and Garlic - Would like to do double the amount if i have space. Not sure if i would do Salad Onions again as they take so long to grow.
Sweetcorn - i would plant more if possible to try and eliminate what happened this year.
Peas - Will try and do an early row too
Won't bother with:
Calabrese - too many caterpillars. Wasn't sucessful at all this year!
Wild Rocket - Always bolts very quickly.
Cucumber - unless i have a greenhouse.
Leaf Beet - Only like it as a salad ingrediant and it soon seems to go "woody" so it's lifespan for this is short.
Potentials:
Butternut Squash - though i'd like to taste my crop form this year first.
Runner Beans - not sure....i like them but DP prefers French Beans so not sure if better just to do double of those.
Potatoes - Never tired these before so would like to have a go.
Not sure what else yet. If i have a green house i'd like another bash at growing peppers and chillies.
Task for this weekend.....clearing out the pond.
Friday, August 29, 2003
I'm starting to feel like everything is drawing to a close in the veg garden. I have dug up all the onions, shallots and garlic and i pulled my last spring onion this evening. The courgettes look like they are slowing down (finally!) and the tomato plants near the house are also looking rather thin now. However, i am still enjoying plenty of beans and the second wave of tomatoes and peas are just getting into full swing so i shouldn't feel too "doom and gloom" about winter approching - it is still August after all (just). I also picked my first marrow tonight, not quite sure what i am going to do with it though. Seems rather a waste to just chop it up for chutney but other than that my experience of marrows goes no further than stuffing them.
Oh, and i was very cross to discover that the one and only cucumber that has survived on my cucumber plant has been well and truly munched by a slug. Grrr not happy at all!
Chutney day tomorrow as i still have 6 courgettes in the fridge that need using ASAP. The yummy recipe i finally chose is in the River Cottage Cookbook. Well it sounds nice anyway, we'll have to wait and see. Didn't manage to find any wide neck bottles for ketchup so made tomato sauce instead which i have frozen for emergencies :o)
Oh, and i was very cross to discover that the one and only cucumber that has survived on my cucumber plant has been well and truly munched by a slug. Grrr not happy at all!
Chutney day tomorrow as i still have 6 courgettes in the fridge that need using ASAP. The yummy recipe i finally chose is in the River Cottage Cookbook. Well it sounds nice anyway, we'll have to wait and see. Didn't manage to find any wide neck bottles for ketchup so made tomato sauce instead which i have frozen for emergencies :o)
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
Ohh have just found this with lots of yummy recipes! Think i might have a go at making tomato ketchup if i can find some suitable bottles to put it in.
Courgettes in fridge:6
Courgettes consumed today:0
I saw one of my neighbours before the weekend and gave her 2 carriers full of courgettes and with what's left i plan to make some chutney. Going to the library this afternoon to look for a chutney recipe book as i can't find a suitable one in my cookbook collection. I have a few preserving jars and DP's mum has given me a load of jam jars so hopefully i will have enough. I also have a huge amount of tomatoes which i plan to turn into sauce.
The sweetcorn is looking good i am pleased to say. Only two cobs so far but that is two more than i expected so i am quite pleased. The squash plants are just starting to flower so hopefully they will fruit even though they were planted so late.
When we arrived home after our weekend at Grandma's we were greeted with the sunny face of one of Emily's sunflowers. She was highly delighted as you can imagine. Looks like 2 of the others will be flowering soon too. I will try and take a pic to show you.
Courgettes consumed today:0
I saw one of my neighbours before the weekend and gave her 2 carriers full of courgettes and with what's left i plan to make some chutney. Going to the library this afternoon to look for a chutney recipe book as i can't find a suitable one in my cookbook collection. I have a few preserving jars and DP's mum has given me a load of jam jars so hopefully i will have enough. I also have a huge amount of tomatoes which i plan to turn into sauce.
The sweetcorn is looking good i am pleased to say. Only two cobs so far but that is two more than i expected so i am quite pleased. The squash plants are just starting to flower so hopefully they will fruit even though they were planted so late.
When we arrived home after our weekend at Grandma's we were greeted with the sunny face of one of Emily's sunflowers. She was highly delighted as you can imagine. Looks like 2 of the others will be flowering soon too. I will try and take a pic to show you.
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