With this wonderful 20 degrees C weather, I've been able to start planning what I'll be doing up at Haddock's this year. I've now pulled up the last of the Kale plants, the few remaining Swiss Chard plants, the last of the carrots, and the empty Brussels Sprout stems; the horses have been in heaven. All that remains are some very puny Leeks, and my Purple Sprouting Brocolli.
I dug over where the old plants were, and let the hens out for a special worm-eating festival. I shall rotovate where possible in the afternoon.
And this is the end result; not the neatest potager, but it'll do until I sow or plant anything; at which time I'll do it all again. The two black upturned pots hide a couple of Rhubarb crowns. Forcing them in this way provides the very best tender stems; but do make sure your pots are a good 60 cms tall (or more).
that would account for the old metal dustbin in our garden. It had rust holes in the bottom and an elder growing through. When we eventually cut the elder back enough to free the metal bin underneath was a clump of rhubarb.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you need a new one; anyway, now's the time to put it over the crown (especially if you can see any red buds appearing).
DeleteI love watching crops grow. Seriously! Rhubarb is the most magnificent stuff for a crumble. We force ours at gunpoint...
ReplyDeleteStems up; or I'll shoot!
DeleteWhile you've got your rotovator out do you think you could just trundle through the woods and ... no? OK. It's just that himself is now pacing the flat like a caged animal after reading your blog. (My minimalist sideboard is currently covered in chitting potatoes!)
ReplyDeleteThere's plenty of time Sue. I did mine really just to get rid of a carpet of Chickweed.
DeleteGreat start. I'm not sure neatness is conducive to growing fantastic veg anyway. Although you are actually rather neat, you don't do yourself justice! Hubby has been at the plots with the rotavator too of late, he usually helps out a few of the other plotholders while he's there, nice bunch they are - they repay him by leaving booze in our shed. Hick.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fair...thirsty work rotovating!
DeleteThe weather forecasters have predicted we'll be getting up to twelve inches of snow today over here in New England. Seeing your lovely garden photos makes me want to climb back into bed and pull the covers over my head. I guess you know when you've had enough of winter when even chickweed starts to look good. :-)
ReplyDeleteI suspect our little heat-wave will be short lived.
DeleteWedi anghofio. Hapus Dydd Gŵyl Dewi.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know to cover rhubarb crowns. We're getting a load of snow today, so i missed my chance, but shall tuck away your tip for later.
ReplyDeletemegan
I think I need to move... that looks wondrous from where I'm sitting.
ReplyDeleteHaddocks is looking good Cro. We've been busy in the garden here too.
ReplyDeleteI start my plaice ( plaice gedit?) tomorrow
DeleteAh, I can almost smell the freshly-dug soil. It's nice outside today so maybe I'll get out the shovel and start digging. I hate dry dirt under my nails, but I do love a new garden. Do you use fertilizer from your animals?
ReplyDeleteIt all goes on the compost, Amy. I'm hoping for giant crops this year!
DeleteAs a relative newcomer to your blog you have just answered a few questions about your 'history' that I was pondering about. Look forward to seeing more of 'Haddocks' I guess you have explained the name on another post - I haven't thought of giving my veg garden a name - mm something to think about
ReplyDeleteOh, how I wish it were dry enough here for me to get busy in the garden. I am ready, but the ground is not. Yours looks great. I also loved reading the story of how you ended up where you are and love your home, so much character in those old places.
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