Asteroid 2011MD - Duck and Cover!

Phew... that was close!

Another 7,500 miles closer and asteroid 2011MD would have roasted our potatoes.

Red Hot

I think I need a bigger freezer.  Five big punnets of redcurrants cropped to add to last week's punnet - just from early/mid bushes.  Late bush still very green, with blackcurrants and gooseberries getting close.  Blackberry rambler splattered with flowers so expecting a good crop from them too.

First IK potatoes eaten last week, couple of wire worm holes so will need to crop rest pretty soon.  The kiss of frost burn suffered in late May doesn't seem to have caused any serious damage and foilage is now very healthy looking.

Fruit aside, this year has been far too cold and wet - and even in today's rare warmth still windy (the bbc are in for a shock when they move up to Manchester!).  The majority of veg are looking like they will be poor crops.  Beans and corn suffering very badly, and I doubt corn will even flower before first frost nevermind develop cobs.  Brassicas have been disappointing so far but suspect the later bunch will do well.

Pond Life



Now that's what I call A Pond!



Re-jigged the pond area, moving a couple of Iris clogged bins to a clearer spot away from pear tree; and dropping the Iris (yellow flag) back into the holes - should be enough moisture for them to survive.

Three toads didn't like the move much and after peeking out of their new home, legged it in every direction.  Sure once the waters settle they will be back and enjoying their new sunnier spot.

Pulled the Irises filling half the main pond out in one chunk - and after checking for life - buried behind two new ponds.

Bit more planting with Kale, Cabbage, Savoy and Broccoli all now in - Cauli's to follow in a week or so.

Weeded onions - suspect fluctuating weather will again play havoc as not many bulbs forming and some wide necks.  Garlic looking strong from late planting.

After the birds got all the first two batches of carrots, another lot planted out - under a net.

Birds already raiding redcurrants so roughly draped a net over even though only a handful going pinkish.

Cherries sweet enough to eat but not quite ready yet.

Corn

Finished work a little early to pick up a new poster, for the 3 exhibitions coming up (Wrexham/Chester on 8th - Sheffield/Chesterfield on 9th - Leeds on 15th June)

The new 'fresh' logo tops an image kindly supplied by Zebra Photography.

This early finish allowed us to enjoy a hot sunny evening at the allotment and catch up on some planting out.

Sweetcorn planted into bed B2, and French Beans into C2.

Ground still very damp from last 3 weeks of wet weather but watered strawberries in any case, along with pots.

Another couple of hot days forecast so should get a few more things planted.