Allotment/Veg Patch Thread 5 - The Diggers Rest !

[bookbook]

Thanks to teacuphalfempty for supplying the title .
so, its the 1st of March, the meteorological spring is here, and it's all systems go for the coming growing season. Let's hope for a good one -no pests and diseases, enough rain overnight and plenty of sunshine. Well, we can dream....

If you like raspberries, you will most definitely want more than one! If they do as well in your part of the world as I think they will, I would be planting a couple of rows/wigwams of them, some summer-fruiting, and some autumn-fruiting. That way you can get delicious berries for the longest possible time. Look out for the AGM winning varieties - in my experience they are tastier and more prolific!

Your fruit will be fine, Kiwi - you're nae too far from soft fruit central, sort of Perthshire/Fife, IMHO.

Agree that maybe the blueberry should go in a pot with ericaceous compost, as it's really hard to keep the ph if you plant it in a hole. And water with rain water if poss, although your tap water probably isn't too alkaline anyway. It might be worth getting a 2nd blueberry, as whilst the variety might be self-fertile, allegedly blueberries do better with a couple of different varieties. And also, they are nice. And you ought to join me in my 2016 Year of Fruit

Sounds like you have a lovely weekend, Shove ! You sound so proficient! Postcrete? Wowsers!
It's so nice to get sowing, isn't it? It's possibly one of my favourite gardening moments, as it's sort of all about hope for the future.

Very excitingly, moving my grow house to a warmer spot seems to have done the trick as after weeks of nothing, my broadies are starting to pop up. Well, one is...

I dug out the rest of my compost at the plot. It took ages, again, mostly as I had to go slowly so as to not hurt any frogs. There were many frogs. And a few toads too. And now I am worrying a bit about waking them up from their hibernation too soon.

Aww, zebra, you're so lovely taking care of all the frogs! Despite being quite near a pond, I never get any in mine Compost turning might be one of my least favourite gardening jobs - I don't do it nearly regularly enough to be honest! It's backbreaking work. You are inspiring me to try harder.

Hooray for your broad beans, too. Everything else will be up in no time if this milder weather keeps up! There is nothing like the excitement at seeing the first flush of green through a seed tray, is there? I think beans are tricksy. They wait and wait until they get the right temperature and then they're suddenly away. Last year, with that cold April, all my runners hid under the ground and I thought something had eaten them so I bought a couple of extra trays. As soon as I'd planted those out, the weather turned and they all sprouted so I had way too many.

And I am NOT at all proficient- you honestly wouldn't say that if you saw how wonky my posts are! I'm just glad to have made a start, though. I think I've been talking about doing this job for about a year now

Morning!
Just a quick dip in while DGS has a nap
Grouchy - if you like raspberries, then yes, you could do with more than 1. I have about 10 summer plants, each with 6 canes growing from the roots. That gives me plenty to eat every day, and freeze some as well. I have about 20 autumn ones at the allotment .
shove glad the double skin is working! I have only just nicely sown my tomatoes - its looking as if the first ones should be out very soon, and I have cosmos, hollyhocks and heliotrope out . The others are just being a bit slower . Leeks are just starting to show as well. All exciting watching them pop up !
I do have broad bean plants ready to plant out now ( I sowed them before I went on holiday in February) - a somewhat quick hardening off, as I forgot to put them inside last night! They seem to be fine, so shall add them to the end of the row I have just direct sown
Glad your seeds are getting going Spotted -Onward and Upward

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I've planted the raspberry and ordered some more. I'm not the biggest fan but my husband and children love them so might as well keep them happy. I've also ordered some ericaceous compost and plant food, and another blueberry plant. I've got two 50L pots so will put the blueberries in them. Should look pretty on my patio.

Spotted My broad beans have just started popping through too. Very exciting!

Spinach is doing precisely nothing. I planted the seeds a week ago (in a windowsill seed tray) so should they have started sprouting by now? Most of the other seeds planted at the same time have. I really want the spinach to work!

Grouchy, raspberries are thugs, so give them room to spread. I have sown spinach twice now, in large pots in my greenhouse. Nothing at all so far ( unlike other years!) Another try is due in about a week. may try outside this time.
shove - I don't think fruit trees care if posts are wonky as long as they do the job - though my DH would disagree- we spend more time with spirit levels when sorting posts out than is necessary in my view

It's so exciting hearing about everyone planting, growing and harvesting.

Zebra, well done about the frogs, it never occurred to me they'd be in compost, but it makes sense.

Grouchykiwi, I saw raspberries in tesco. It said they were 'heritage' I think, which are autumn fruiting. I'm sort of South East Scotland too.

The gardener has been today. I'm hoping one more day is enough to get everything done. I'm so excited to plant. I'll post a couple of pictures, but I'll get better ones when it's finished/not dark...

Before

After

evening!
great pictures Life , and so nice to be doing it while this weather is so good.
Have you made a wish list of what to grow?

GREAT work life! It's starting to look fantastic!

Wonderful garden, Life.

For those who enjoy blackcurrants - and especially those with frozen ones - here's a recipe my family loves.

Blackcurrant Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup (frozen) blackcurrants
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 grated apple
1 beaten egg
2/3 cup milk
3 tbsp oil
Sift dry ingredients into a bowl, mix. Add blackcurrants and apple, mixing well. Combine egg, milk and oil in a bowl, add to dry ingredients and fruit. Mix till just combined - do not over mix. Put spoonfuls into greased muffin tray and cook for 15-20 minutes at 180C. They do not rise much.
Serve hot with butter.

Thankyou. I should point out I didn't do it myself.

My wish list is everything. I have rhubarb, but want raspberries, blueberries, maybe a plum tree if I can find a spot, beetroot, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce/leaves, spinach, leeks, asparagus (I know it's takes years) strawberries, radish and courgette. Maybe giant pumpkins too if I can find space and I want flowers in the other beds too. (The garden is much bigger than the bit you can see there) maybe I'm being ambitious, but I'll give it a go.

Grouchy, I've never thought of black currant muffins, they sound delicious! Thanks for sharing.

Evening!
another good weather day here.
Spent an intensive hour digging up globe artichokes, and delivered one to another plot holder. Now have another 5 to re home somewhere :)
Its now opened up a bed that needs a good weed, some compost and then the new summer raspberries planted. I am going to try planting in a block, as thats the space I have, and see how it goes.
Seeds popping up well now - a bit of warmth and some longer light days don't half help!

Book, are artichokes easy to grow? Or tricky? are you digging them up as they're over crowded or another reason?

Is there anywhere people recommend for compost? Thanks.

For compost, try local community gardens or city farms. We have about 15 tonnes cooking at the moment for selling off this spring. Or use your own of course! Unfortunately New Horizon who makes the peat free compost that I do buy [for schools] was taken over, so I won't be buying any more again, I shall be taking my home made and sieving in some leaf mould. I'm not giving westland another penny of my hard earned cash! Or I will buy some of the 15 tonnes that we will be selling soon. Hurrah for compost.

Anyhoodles - I was in London Village yesterday for a food growing conference, with Chris Collins [Blue Peter Gardener] and as soon as I got there, one of the ladies hadn't been able to attend so I got coralled onto the Gardener's Question Time panel. Not the R4 version obviously, but although i know oodles of answers and teach this stuff day in day out - when there are rows and rows of people staring at your and writing furiously your mind can go a tad blank. Luckily I got all my words out - and all in the right order.

bookbook thank you so much for the list of pollinators (way back on Page 1!). I’m going for a Granny Smith I think, can’t go wrong with a Granny Smith, can I? Mum has given me £20 towards it for my birthday present so I’m itching to order – any recommendations for a website?

A belated welcome to life. Your beds look lovely! I think it’s a good idea to try a little bit of everything to start with, then note down what works and what doesn’t and you can refine your list as the years go on. For example, we learned last year that carrots just do not grow here – unless in pots. So I’ve reluctantly crossed them off the list.

Doreen how exciting! What sort of things did people ask?

Shove I have been meaning to say to you for MONTHS that your writing style reminds me very much of a very good friend of mine – every time I read your posts I have an image of her in my head. We went to school together but she moved to the other side of the country so I rarely get to see her now. So thank you for reminding me of her! Bizarrely, her name is Holly!

I have finally managed to get out and do a little bit in the garden. DS and I sowed Aubergine, basil, and pumpkin seeds on Monday. I also potted up a couple of lemon balms that had appeared, as well as a gooseberry cutting that had rooted itself in the wrong place. #YearOfFruit. My veggie patch is in fairly good shape considering it’s been largely neglected for the last few months. I have quite a few leeks and parsnips left so I’m gradually digging them out and making soup and other nice things for the freezer. I also have one lonely anemone in the middle of the veggie patch. I’m SURE it wasn’t there last year. Where did it come from? It’s so pretty though so I think I’ll plant around it.

Need to go shopping soon as I have NO tomato seeds! Not one! How did that happen?

cupcakes - wow, how bizarre! I'm glad she's a good friend and not a total cow. Or I might get quite annoying for you!! .

What about something a bit special and unusual, like a heritage variety of fruit tree that grows well in your area? Not just saying this because granny smiths are the devil's apple (nasty green crunchies!!) , but because they don't grow that well in many places in the UK coz they need loads of sun and warm.

There is an article about how traditional apples are struggling right now here: www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/14/apple-britain-gala-traditional They recommend Brogdale as a good supplier but there may be loads of places closer to you.

doreen - I am in awe. Being on a panel like that must be SO nerve-wracking!! And I know exactly what you mean about fielding questions after a presentation. I can never do it - my mind goes blank, I gabble wildly, and then the moment I sit down and someone else is talking, I think of a wonderful, witty, snappy reply that would make me look like Oscar Wilde instead of a gibbering idiot. I think being composed and getting your words out in the right order definitely makes you TV material. Maybe we'll see you on Gardeners' World soon!

What is wrong with Westland, by the way? Do dish the dirt (ho, ho) on compost manufacturers!! I buy this stuff called Vitax, which is the bagged up peat-free compost made by the local council. It's OK for shoving in the ground, but not nearly good enough for seeds etc. I use John Innes for that, but I've found that recent bags have been really poor - full of bits of stick and stones. I really must check out local community gardens.

life - I grew some globe artichokes from seed last year. Some people talk about it taking ages/being a faff, but it was dead easy to get them to germinate and they romped away and gave me a small crop in my first year. I got rid of most of them as the plant is supposed to need to conserve its energies to make more the next year -and I realised I had no idea how to cook them but I did end up eating a couple once I had figured out how to get into the thing. The flowers are gorgeous.

Morning !
wow Doreen - much respect!!
so on this thread we now have a published author, and a star panellist
Life - artichokes must be easy, as apart from mulching and weeding around them I have done nothing, and they have thrived. They are being dug up because I don't like them - me who eats every fruit and veg under the sun! They were already planted in the half allotment plot that I have officially taken over this spring, after caring for it last year when the old tenant decided to throw in the towel. (DH and I have adjoining half plot)
I'm not sure if I missed it, but approximately where are you ? I was thinking tomatoes and cucumber may need protection to get a decent crop if you are not in the sun basked south - maybe a little plastic greenhouse, or a tall cloche would do , or choose carefully varieties which do well outside.
Our local council do a free compost weekend , so may be worth asking? I tend to virtually use my own apart from seeds, but I do have a biggish garden as well as the plot, so produce enough for my needs. It may be worth sourcing some cow or horse manure as well, to improve the soil. That is fairly easy to come by - someone will know in your area where to source it from :)
Cupcakes - its lovely to hear you sounding so positive - I do hope that means you are not feeling quite so wretched ? I personally would see if you have any good nurseries near by for your apple tree- for me, choosing a particular tree is a very enjoyable day out , and you will usually get a better looking specimen at a good price, as you are not having to factor in the p&p, and you will also get one good for your area. But thats easy for me to say and do, probably not for you! In my last garden I had to leave behind a James Grieve, which I found to be a good apple - you could eat and cook with it ( chosen as I only had room for one apple tree!)

Yes book feeling a lot better now thank goodness! Still tire easily so trying not to overdo it.

Thanks for the tree ideas. We are woefully lacking in decent nurseries around here. There's a massive garden centre but they're turning themselves into more of an attraction and the plants are ridiculously pricey now! Will keep pondering.

Really glad you're feeling better cupcakes. It sounds like it's been rough- you've done so well to get through it.

for your garden centre becoming a store of tat. So many of them are going down that path now.

I wonder if there is a local orchard that could help? Googling local apple days might also give you potential organisations that are active in your area - they can be really below-the-radar sometimes. Another idea might be to go on a grafting day and actually graft your own tree! Finally, Common Ground might know someone: commonground.org.uk/contact/

YES! To #YearofFruit !! 🍎🍏

Cupcakes great to hear you're feeling a bit better. Re apple, if budget is an issue (and it is for me), then maybe:

• look at Lidl. They have a special buy on fruit trees starting tomorrow. No info online as to varieties / rootstock, but the swing tags carry info I think. And as I have stated before, I have really liked all plants (and cutty things) I've bought from lidl. leaflet.lidl.co.uk/5e2f835e-6e55-4bfd-9ea9-f0753c19bb85/html5.html#/25

• Oddly, Morrisons. I don't usually shop here, but I was there on Monday and had a poke around the garden stuff. They had smaller trees at £5, and slightly larger ones @£10. The latter looked lovely - really interesting varieties, esp on plums/gages, and pears, which is what I was looking at. And the assistant said they'd just cone in.

• DT brown? Having an end of season bare root fruit tree sale, but stock running out.

To receive your 50% discount on Bare Root Fruit Trees you must add them to your basket at full price and enter code D16TREE at checkout, where the price will be reduced.

• Or for spendier, Ashridge Trees I really like.

cupcakes - I have just looked at where I buy all my fruit and trees - its here , but the p&P is £10, before any tree is bought. They are incredibly helpful ( and knowledgable too ) on the phone as well

www.rvroger.co.uk/index.php?x=0&y=0&lookup=apple&linksource=search

and yes to 'garden centres' - near by was a really good old fashioned nursery - showed and won prized at Chelsea, grew all it's own plants - now its a destination shopping place with loads and loads of stuff

Ooh, Kiwi, thank you for another ancestral blackcurrant recipe! I will definitely try that it my amazing glut that is sure to come this year...