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.
Showing posts with label Potatoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Potatoes. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Easter Update
A warm dry April has provided ideal growing conditions – if only we could find sufficient time away from http://www.butterwickwells.co.uk/ to take advantage of the good weather. The big allotment re-design will have to wait another year!
Progress update:
A1 – Originally earmarked for sunflowers, but switched to Broad Beans, planted out over Easter after a week or so outside at home to acclimatise to early April indoor sowing. Slightly droopy at first so hopefully they will toughen up quick.
B1 – POTATOES (international Kidney aka Jersey) planted out early April, good amount of growth now peeking out. Will have to watch for any frosts.
B2 – still to prepare for... sweet corn?
C1 – LETTUCE planted between last year’s leeks which are approaching readiness – Couple of unsuccessful attempts, with a couple of lines of seedlings mysteriously vanishing overnight. Stalks still in ground, but nothing above... unlikely to be slugs as too dry and sanded around. Possibly slugs/snails, or more likely mice?
C2 – prepared ready for peas (first batch just sown at home)
D1 – LETTUCE – third batch planted out, of slightly bigger, seedlings so hope they will fare better.
D2 – ONIONS and GARLIC coming along nicely.
E1 – New carrot raised bed installed but a little light on soil.
E2 – Still a handful of SPRING CABBAGES cropping, with Main POTATOES (Wilja) belatedly put in around them over Easter.
F1 – prepared.
F2 – still to prepare for Brassicas (Plenty of Cabbage, Savoy, Kale seedlings on the go) – an early line of radish slowly up to marble size. Another week or so and may start to crop.
Other seedlings in progress... beetroot, sunflowers, chillies, peppers, tomatoes, basil, and sage, well only 1 sage germinated so far. Need to start off another round of salads and a few more savoy as low germination rate from first batch.
G1 – RHUBARB – Forced batch finally rocketed in the heat and were pushing bin off, so cropping and eating away. The batch in H2 is getting a bit out of control so will need splitting and moving (although as nowhere to put them, may sell/donate instead).
G2/H1 – Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Blueberries and Gooseberries all seem to be flowering well with the promise of a bumper crop this year.
H2 – Pears and Cherry Trees all blossoming well, with cherry-lets just starting to form!
Progress update:
A1 – Originally earmarked for sunflowers, but switched to Broad Beans, planted out over Easter after a week or so outside at home to acclimatise to early April indoor sowing. Slightly droopy at first so hopefully they will toughen up quick.
B1 – POTATOES (international Kidney aka Jersey) planted out early April, good amount of growth now peeking out. Will have to watch for any frosts.
B2 – still to prepare for... sweet corn?
C1 – LETTUCE planted between last year’s leeks which are approaching readiness – Couple of unsuccessful attempts, with a couple of lines of seedlings mysteriously vanishing overnight. Stalks still in ground, but nothing above... unlikely to be slugs as too dry and sanded around. Possibly slugs/snails, or more likely mice?
C2 – prepared ready for peas (first batch just sown at home)
D1 – LETTUCE – third batch planted out, of slightly bigger, seedlings so hope they will fare better.
D2 – ONIONS and GARLIC coming along nicely.
E1 – New carrot raised bed installed but a little light on soil.
E2 – Still a handful of SPRING CABBAGES cropping, with Main POTATOES (Wilja) belatedly put in around them over Easter.
F1 – prepared.
F2 – still to prepare for Brassicas (Plenty of Cabbage, Savoy, Kale seedlings on the go) – an early line of radish slowly up to marble size. Another week or so and may start to crop.
Other seedlings in progress... beetroot, sunflowers, chillies, peppers, tomatoes, basil, and sage, well only 1 sage germinated so far. Need to start off another round of salads and a few more savoy as low germination rate from first batch.
G1 – RHUBARB – Forced batch finally rocketed in the heat and were pushing bin off, so cropping and eating away. The batch in H2 is getting a bit out of control so will need splitting and moving (although as nowhere to put them, may sell/donate instead).
G2/H1 – Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Blueberries and Gooseberries all seem to be flowering well with the promise of a bumper crop this year.
H2 – Pears and Cherry Trees all blossoming well, with cherry-lets just starting to form!
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Springing into shape
Finally a bit of sun and warmth and spared a few hours away from work to get allotment into shape.
18th... Strawberries thinned and replanted in extra raised bed in [D1] but plenty still in ground under Pear trees.
23rd... Onions [D2] and early Potatoes [B1] planted and main potatoes chitting. Couple of trays of radish and lettuce seedlings moved down into shelving to harden up ready for planting.
24th... Garlic Planted [D2]- 5 months late - tried to recover lost time a little by sticking garlic and onions into a tray of soil to get roots and tops sprouting. May need to switch to a 2 year plan with garlic.
Beds E1/F1 weeded and soiled dug/raked with a bit of added compost/sand/etc... and then covered up. Ready for planting.
C2 and E2 tidied up a bit but along with B2/F2 are next on list to prepare.
Forced rhubarb coming along well and close to first early crop.
Lots of seedlings popping up at home... carrots, kale, little gem and lolla rossa lettuce, sweetcorn, and broad beans sprouting. Tomatoes ready to pot on.
Run out of spare window sill spaces so will hold off next lot of seed planting this week!
18th... Strawberries thinned and replanted in extra raised bed in [D1] but plenty still in ground under Pear trees.
23rd... Onions [D2] and early Potatoes [B1] planted and main potatoes chitting. Couple of trays of radish and lettuce seedlings moved down into shelving to harden up ready for planting.
24th... Garlic Planted [D2]- 5 months late - tried to recover lost time a little by sticking garlic and onions into a tray of soil to get roots and tops sprouting. May need to switch to a 2 year plan with garlic.
Beds E1/F1 weeded and soiled dug/raked with a bit of added compost/sand/etc... and then covered up. Ready for planting.
C2 and E2 tidied up a bit but along with B2/F2 are next on list to prepare.
Forced rhubarb coming along well and close to first early crop.
Lots of seedlings popping up at home... carrots, kale, little gem and lolla rossa lettuce, sweetcorn, and broad beans sprouting. Tomatoes ready to pot on.
Run out of spare window sill spaces so will hold off next lot of seed planting this week!
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Deep Blue Day
Seed sowing has begun with some leeks, tomatoes and basil - following on from Saturday's sowing of a few pots of Sage (from seed collected last year) and Chili Peppers (collected from shop eaten chilis... or maybe bell peppers as they got mixed up!).
Bought this year's seed potatoes and onion sets (Sturon 99p) yesterday. £4 on favourite International Kidney (aka Jersey Royal) for first earlies and £3 on Wilja for main... a new variety for us. Actually is a 2nd early type but to avoid late summer problems we normally have with mains, the intention is to get them in earlier this year.
More seeds going in soon...
Bought this year's seed potatoes and onion sets (Sturon 99p) yesterday. £4 on favourite International Kidney (aka Jersey Royal) for first earlies and £3 on Wilja for main... a new variety for us. Actually is a 2nd early type but to avoid late summer problems we normally have with mains, the intention is to get them in earlier this year.
More seeds going in soon...
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Dober večer
Pioneer Butternut squash has been nibbled and virtually dead (as expected), so planted out a pair that are hopefully a bit hardier. Substitutes still on bench at home.
Couple of hours watering tonight - ground like a sponge. Picked first spinach beet along with some mustards, radish and lettuce.
Despite 'somebody' supposedly watering well on Saturday, next round of seedlings have suffered badly in current weather and most wiltered and lost. (Sunflowers, salads and radish wiped out). Brassicas fared a little better but possibly because they are bigger and ready to plant out.
Had first new potatoes on Saturday, delicious as ever.
Couple of hours watering tonight - ground like a sponge. Picked first spinach beet along with some mustards, radish and lettuce.
Despite 'somebody' supposedly watering well on Saturday, next round of seedlings have suffered badly in current weather and most wiltered and lost. (Sunflowers, salads and radish wiped out). Brassicas fared a little better but possibly because they are bigger and ready to plant out.
Had first new potatoes on Saturday, delicious as ever.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Salad Days
A sunny Saturday visit to plant out 20 sweetcorn (now a pathetic 3-5" high) along with a test Butternut Squash. Interplanted with little gem lettuce to distract slugs (all in bed F). Scattered Bonemeal and watered in - as run out of dried blood... have used blood last couple of years and seems to give them an excellent fast nitro burst of growth.
Checked a potato plant in E2, but none forming yet - very late this year!
Cleared leeks and salsify out of A1 - save for a row of leeks that will be flowering - and planted peas in their place. French Bean seedlings decimated by a slug in mini polyhouse, only 3 left!
Planted last of leek seedlings into D1.
Although a bit of rain expected in next couple of days, looking like it will be dry after so gave everything a quick water.
Cropped mustards, little gem, radish (some upto golf ball size and not a lot of mouse damage) to make up an excellent salad for tea.
Checked a potato plant in E2, but none forming yet - very late this year!
Cleared leeks and salsify out of A1 - save for a row of leeks that will be flowering - and planted peas in their place. French Bean seedlings decimated by a slug in mini polyhouse, only 3 left!
Planted last of leek seedlings into D1.
Although a bit of rain expected in next couple of days, looking like it will be dry after so gave everything a quick water.
Cropped mustards, little gem, radish (some upto golf ball size and not a lot of mouse damage) to make up an excellent salad for tea.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Time for a Chit
Bought this year's Onions sets and seed Potatoes from Gordon Riggs this week.
Went for International Kidney (aka Jersey Royals but not allowed to call them that as they have PDO status) for earlies as they always do fantastically well and am experimenting with Cara for maincrop. Never tried, or even heard of this variety before but supposedly have good disease resistance.
Plumped for Stutgarter onion sets again as they always store so well... remainder of last year's are still hanging in perfect condition from kitchen window. One bag of sets produces just about eactly 1 year's supply of onions... a tremendous return for 99p plus a few hours spent preparing ground, planting and the occasional bit of weeding. Cheaper and less time consuming than buying them.
Will get the potatoes chitting as soon as I make room and then aim to get onions and earlies in ground by mid-March depending n weather, with the main crop going in at Easter as usual.
Must get round to planning this year's design and crops soon. Sadly, I suspect other commitments this year may mean the last couple of happy Spring's spent cycling to the allotment and sunbathing in cold easterlies - I mean working hard - may not be repeated.
Tod on the telly - Todmorden seems to be the current favourite with Country Tracks and My Dream Farm both screening this week - it seems that you daren't leave the house without checking for camera leads the past year... mainly down to the success of Incredible Edible Tod.
Went for International Kidney (aka Jersey Royals but not allowed to call them that as they have PDO status) for earlies as they always do fantastically well and am experimenting with Cara for maincrop. Never tried, or even heard of this variety before but supposedly have good disease resistance.
Plumped for Stutgarter onion sets again as they always store so well... remainder of last year's are still hanging in perfect condition from kitchen window. One bag of sets produces just about eactly 1 year's supply of onions... a tremendous return for 99p plus a few hours spent preparing ground, planting and the occasional bit of weeding. Cheaper and less time consuming than buying them.Will get the potatoes chitting as soon as I make room and then aim to get onions and earlies in ground by mid-March depending n weather, with the main crop going in at Easter as usual.Must get round to planning this year's design and crops soon. Sadly, I suspect other commitments this year may mean the last couple of happy Spring's spent cycling to the allotment and sunbathing in cold easterlies - I mean working hard - may not be repeated.
Tod on the telly - Todmorden seems to be the current favourite with Country Tracks and My Dream Farm both screening this week - it seems that you daren't leave the house without checking for camera leads the past year... mainly down to the success of Incredible Edible Tod.
Sunday, 2 August 2009
It can't rain all the time
A day of wildlife...
Cropped about a quarter of the charlotte potatoes, not too much damage but a couple had gone yellow and few more starting, so will have to get rest out soon.
Cropped about a quarter of the charlotte potatoes, not too much damage but a couple had gone yellow and few more starting, so will have to get rest out soon.
Also cabbage, cauliflowers, a couple of huge courgettes, beetroot, peas and broad beans.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Here comes the rain again
Not much going on with all the wet weather, but Saturday's respite allowed the late redcurrants, gooseberries and the remaining jersey potatoes to be cropped before slugs, wireworms, etc cause too much damage. Couple of the Charlotte's had gone yellow and wilted, but didn't have time to dig up so hopefully nothing that will spread too quick.
Carrots have been decimated - carrot root fly the most likely culprit, as we didn't put nets up around them this year.
Early peas deliciously ready with 2nd batch not far off. Yesterday's haul also included lettuce, cabbage and caulis.
Blueberries just starting to ripen, so will have to get nets over next visit before the birds spot them.
Last week, in between heavy showers, managed to get all the blackcurrants picked, exactly 5 pounds (after a pound or so were bartered away in the pub!) - washed and frozen pending next jam making session.
Speaking of the weather, I was highly sceptical in Spring - (primarily because the general conditions were the same as the previous couple of years suggesting a similar North Atlantic Oscillation situation, but also because of the exceptional sunspot shortage) - when the Met Office predicted a much hotter drier summer this year and sadly it has turned out much worse than last year, and almost as bad as the year before.
Carrots have been decimated - carrot root fly the most likely culprit, as we didn't put nets up around them this year.
Early peas deliciously ready with 2nd batch not far off. Yesterday's haul also included lettuce, cabbage and caulis.
Blueberries just starting to ripen, so will have to get nets over next visit before the birds spot them.
Last week, in between heavy showers, managed to get all the blackcurrants picked, exactly 5 pounds (after a pound or so were bartered away in the pub!) - washed and frozen pending next jam making session.
Speaking of the weather, I was highly sceptical in Spring - (primarily because the general conditions were the same as the previous couple of years suggesting a similar North Atlantic Oscillation situation, but also because of the exceptional sunspot shortage) - when the Met Office predicted a much hotter drier summer this year and sadly it has turned out much worse than last year, and almost as bad as the year before.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Catching Up
June was a warm month and everything has been growing well so now seems an appropriate time to review where everything is at.
Bed A1 (Alliums)
- 2 salsify (2008) grown on for seed - has beautiful seed heads (hundreds collected already)
- Parsley (2008) also grown on - still edible if a little tougher
- 6 clumps of red spring onions
- Leeks, still very small so it may be baby leeks for Christmas dinner.
Bed A2
- Around 60 Stutgarter white onions
- 2 surviving garlic (2008)
- patch of sunflowers (giant russian)
- side row of Little Gem Lettuce
Bed B1 (Legumes)
- Broad Beans (had first early crop for tea last night)
- patch of sunflowers (giant russian)
- row of leeks (2008) - bit tough to eat but fine for flavouring stocks and hopefully will flower for seed
Bed B2
- Peas
- Dwarf French Beans
- Sweet peas for a splash of late colour and food for bees
Bed C1 (Brassicas)
- Khol Rabi - now swelling fast, still no idea what they taste like or what to do with them! Originally intercropped with oriental mustards for salads but now all eaten.
- Swedes (originally intercropped with radish, now eaten)
- Turnips (originally intercropped with radish, now eaten)
- Summer/Autumn Cabbage (with 1 last spring cabbage remaining)
Bed C2
- Brussel Sprouts (intercropped with summer cabbage)
- Red Cabbage (intercropped as above, and 1 savoy)
- Cauliflowers (eaten half so far, and intercropped with radish)
Bed F1
- radish
- oriental mustards
- little gem lettuce
these will all be eaten over the summer to leave just:
- broccoli
- kale nero
Bed D1 (Roots)
- Carrots
- Beetroot
Bed D2
- Charlotte 2nd early potatoes (first taste laste week!)
Bed E1
- Jersey Royal 1st early (about half plants eaten so far and absolutely delicious)
Sweetcorn (growing strongly, but not quite so good as last year as July has been so much cooler)
- a border of dwarf sunflowers on 3 sides
- side row of Little Gem lettuce (under a cloche to keep tender)
Bed A1 (Alliums)
- 2 salsify (2008) grown on for seed - has beautiful seed heads (hundreds collected already)
- Parsley (2008) also grown on - still edible if a little tougher
- 6 clumps of red spring onions
- Leeks, still very small so it may be baby leeks for Christmas dinner.
Bed A2
- Around 60 Stutgarter white onions
- 2 surviving garlic (2008)
- patch of sunflowers (giant russian)
- side row of Little Gem Lettuce
Bed B1 (Legumes)
- Broad Beans (had first early crop for tea last night)
- patch of sunflowers (giant russian)
- row of leeks (2008) - bit tough to eat but fine for flavouring stocks and hopefully will flower for seed
Bed B2
- Peas
- Dwarf French Beans
- Sweet peas for a splash of late colour and food for bees
Bed C1 (Brassicas)
- Khol Rabi - now swelling fast, still no idea what they taste like or what to do with them! Originally intercropped with oriental mustards for salads but now all eaten.
- Swedes (originally intercropped with radish, now eaten)
- Turnips (originally intercropped with radish, now eaten)
- Summer/Autumn Cabbage (with 1 last spring cabbage remaining)
Bed C2
- Brussel Sprouts (intercropped with summer cabbage)
- Red Cabbage (intercropped as above, and 1 savoy)
- Cauliflowers (eaten half so far, and intercropped with radish)
Bed F1
- radish
- oriental mustards
- little gem lettuce
these will all be eaten over the summer to leave just:
- broccoli
- kale nero
Bed D1 (Roots)
- Carrots
- Beetroot
Bed D2
- Charlotte 2nd early potatoes (first taste laste week!)
Bed E1
- Jersey Royal 1st early (about half plants eaten so far and absolutely delicious)
Bed E2
Sweetcorn (growing strongly, but not quite so good as last year as July has been so much cooler)- a border of dwarf sunflowers on 3 sides
- side row of Little Gem lettuce (under a cloche to keep tender)
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Rhubarb Rhubarb
The last couple of weeks in April mainly spent weeding and tidying up but on the crop side Charlotte Potatoes went in (a bit later than planned) on 20th April.
First real multi-harvest of the year of forced rhubarb, radish, cabbage and leeks on 25th but have been eating rhubarb for past couple of weeks and had the odd cabbage all winter. Am now leaving cover (upside down bin) off the rhubarb so it doesn't weaken too much and stopping cropping that one.
First real multi-harvest of the year of forced rhubarb, radish, cabbage and leeks on 25th but have been eating rhubarb for past couple of weeks and had the odd cabbage all winter. Am now leaving cover (upside down bin) off the rhubarb so it doesn't weaken too much and stopping cropping that one.
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