Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Haddock's Campaign 2016.



After a period of dry and very windy weather, we've now had some rain and calm. Perfect weather for growing.

So far I have planted red onions, red cabbages, white cabbages, calabrese, aubergines, peppers, chillies, tomatoes, beans, salads, courgettes, and cauliflowers. All are doing well, and some should begin to produce something or other for the table within a couple of weeks. Two of the calabrese plants were nipped off at the base by ants yesterday; so those have already been consumed. Nothing goes to waste. 


I have just 6 tomato plants (plus one cherry tom). They are 'F1 Supersteak', and produce heavy crops of very large fruits; many being around 600gms. This provides easily enough to eat salads every day, and preserve several kilos for next winter.

I've reduced the size of Haddock's this year, and am determined to use every scrap of space to the utmost. I'm still looking for somewhere to plant-out all my pumpkin, and squash plants; I'll find somewhere.



31 comments:

  1. I wish I could come eat at your house this summer!

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  2. It sounds as if you have everything under control. I have 20 tomato plants on the go. I had lots of old packets of seed and I sowed them all in the hope that some would germinate - of course they all did - so now I have more than I really need but tomatoes never go to waste round here. After our mini heat wave it has gone back to cool and rainy.

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    1. As well as my 6 tom plants, I also have hundreds that pop-up all over my plot from having been in the compost. I take them all out.

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  3. Glorious day in the late teens here yesterday so I spent some time in the garden on my new knee sewing seeds in pots and trays and a few in a raised bed. The idea of things being as advanced as yours is, of course, unthinkable and, at moments like this, I am a tad envious (especially of the tomatoes of which I am particularly fond).

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    1. Our climate is reasonably good for veg' gardening, although on occasions I do wish for a Poly-tunnel.

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  4. It's looking good Cro. Testimony that all that back-breaking work earlier was well worth it.

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    1. Not too backbreaking this year. I was able to keep on top of things, and my little Rotavator did most of the work.

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  5. Replies
    1. We have a dedicated herb garden elsewhere.

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  6. Our tomato plants have also been planted out. They were all of two inches high. Might take a while before they start growing, once they have made their mind up whether they are happier out in the big world of the veg plot or in the confined space of the little greenhouse they started life in.

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    1. Mine are growing well, they've all gained a few inches since I planted them out.

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  7. Oh my, that is most impressive. Haddock's is looking very productive, you're going to have some good crops. Definitely a wise move on your part to reduce the size of the plot, easier to keep up with what you produce! It can be worrisome disposing of surplus when you hate waste.

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    1. I've also made a resolution to eat things as soon as they're edible. Not to aim for giant cabbages etc.

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  8. This sounds so wonderful.
    I have to plant in pots in a protected garden. The critters here would eat your garden up in a day.
    I have 3 tomatoes and 1 from last year that is still going strong. One watermelon plant and herbs.
    Nothing challenging but fun.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I did once find a Deer sleeping underneath some brassicas. I'm all fenced-in now.

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  9. A lot of HARD work goes in there - always hoping for the weather to be kind, also a constant look out to keep bugs and disease at bay - you deserve a prosperous crop!
    I would love to come and help you Cro; I miss my childhood vegetable garden.
    I grow herbs on my balcony: thyme, sage, rosemary, basil, mint, origan, marjioram and laurel, all for my recipes.
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. We too grow the same herbs, but the Basil is indoors. I would find it very difficult to live without my garden; it's what keeps me sane (and fit).

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  10. Crikey Cro ....... you've been working hard. What a great selection of veg .... you're pretty much self-sufficient aren't you ? Do you ever have a surplus of anything or give any to your neighbours ? XXXX

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    1. Everyone here has a similar garden; usually much bigger. So, excesses get put on the compost. We usually live off what we grow from about June to Christmas, after that we eat the conserves. We don't buy many vegs.

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  11. I love seeing what's happening in veggie gardens on the other side of the world, as we head into winter. The garlic (lots!) has gone in along with the broad beans and some brassicas. I need to get on to putting in more stuff!

    I love the pots on your stakes. I use old gardening gloves which look quirky and stop me from poking out an eye.

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    1. The pots are old pine resin pots; no longer used for their original purpose. Some use old baked bean tins, mine are more in keeping with the area.

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  12. Wow! Everything looks just great. My gardens are soaked from all the rain we have been having for almost three weeks. We could use some of your dry, sunny weather to get things growing.

    Where did you cut back? You certainly have quite a lot of plants.

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    1. We're now having some rain too. I've just come in from outside and the sky is BLACK. I think I reduced the size by about a quarter... now I haven't got any room left for my pumpkins, squashes, etc.

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  13. Your rows look incredibly straight! Love the flower pot men.

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    1. I do like it to be neat, as opposed to rest of my life!

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  14. Congratulations on getting Haddock's off to such a promising start. Doesn't it seem just a wink back that we were wondering when winter's chill would depart?

    I do envy you that garden, but am glad that today's farmers market visit allowed me to bring home delicious fresh asparagus, not just the root veg that have been available in recent weeks.

    Not for the first time, I hope to have my own garden this time next year. Question remains: could I leave my NYC apartment, knowing I'd never be able to afford to live here again.

    Best wishes.

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    1. Very much asparagus season here too; we buy the green ones.

      Property prices are still very reasonable here; one can still buy a large house with plenty of outbuildings for the price of a one bedroom flat in London.

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  15. Haddock's is off to a great start. I started an asparagus bed three years ago but have decided to scrap it as they are cheaper to purchase at the market

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