April 2014 - getting busy!

Wednesday 2nd April 2014
Loads happening with the propogators - got some cabbages and leeks going (planted leeks last weeks and they're beginning to show).  All tomato plants are now individually potted (apart from a San Maranzo 2 that's has shacked up with another on - will need pricking out when I get a minute).   Have got to get down to the allotment this weekend and get the spud patch done and a load of other jobs.


Saturday 5th April 2014
Should be down the lotty but Janette's brother has gone into hospital so all bets are off.  Did a load of potting at home.  Got some border plants in.  Top dressed fish,blood and bone on the borders and in some of the containers.   Need to be getting me spuds in!!!

Thursday 10th April 2014
Nothing for it - had to get up early and get everything done then down to the lotty.  There for a bit before 7am but got a row of first-earlies in a little bit late!  Also good to see that the onions and garlic are coming along and the Autumn-bearing Raspberries are making an appearance.  Am hoping to get down there again tonight to get another row in.

Autumn bearing raspberries making an appearance

Row of first earlies - rocket variety

Garlic, onions and japanese onions all starting to get busy

Went back down after work and got a row of Red Duke of Yorks in - another first early.  I'm going to have loads of potatos more than needed - will have to get rid of some to me mum and dad I reckon!  Dug the  green manure in as well - wont do any of that rubbish again - proper muck or nothing next time.

Green manure dug in and a second row of spuds down.

Tuesday 15th April 2014
After the Marathon weekend I was going to go down and get two more rows of spuds done but had enough jobs to do at home.  So have moved things around a bit - potted cabbages and leeks (probably not the right thing to do with them but what the hell - all learning curve).  Have put pumpkins and leeks in the coldframe for time being to make more space in the mini-Greenhouse.


Easter Monday 21st April 2014

Bean row set up at back of the legumes section! A few poles short.

Another two rows of spud gone in - will need to have a look as have forgotten varieties

30th April 2014
Nipped down before work to get a bag of seed compost out of the shed.  Spuds are making an appearance as are weeds by the hundred.  Bloody things.

First row - needs earthing up a bit. 

Second row - got some different spuds mixed in. 

Mega weeding session required

Jobs to do -

• Mega weeding session required.
• Need to put a short section of hose on the IBC - got one done - just needs taking down.  
• Need to get an overflow sorted on IBC as well at some point. 
• Might get a load of plug plants from home bargains as the caulis and leeks in my cold frame look rubbish.
• Need to get slabs down to lotty before Phil goes - 3 x 2s are a bit heavy to say least!

March 2014 - Planting time!

26th March 2014
Moved the first two pumpkin plants into bigger plots - am going to have to research how you're supposed to grow these buggers as they're growing like magic beans at the minute - the rate of growth is scary!  Put some leeks into a module and put them into one of the heated propogators.  I potted some of the tomato San Marzano 2 tomato seedlings too and putt them into one of the unheated propogators (proper production line our bedroom window is much to the chagrin of the missus).

San Marzano 2 Tomatos - proper wierd looking!

22nd March 2014
Had planned to go down allotment for 9am to take bags of rubbish and do some jobs.  However, I potted up some tomato plug plants and all the sweet peas that were planted way back in October (I think - might have been November).  That somehow took ages but not to worry such is life.  Whizzed down to lotty about 10.30 took five bags of weed to recycling centre.  Also dig a bit of tidying up and got some lime down on the bit where the brassicas will be going in due course.

I set the heated propogator last week with tomatoes and all sorts of stuff - this is the one doing the best (arguably) - quite good stuff in just seven days in my view.

21st March 2014
Did a three mile run in the morning so popped round the allotment to see if the frost on the first day of spring had done anything to me garlic.  Looked okay to me.  No signs of life in the onions yet though.  Not sure what's going on with them buggers but they better start looking lively soon!

19th March 2014
Had to nip to Aldi to get Pheasant and Quails for me dad (he's going upmarket it would appear!).  While I was there I got some plug plants - tomatoes (6) and summer cabbages (15 in the pack probably enough for two rows).  Also a week ago I got a mini-tomato green house from Poundstretcher for £12 to replace the two polythene mini-greenhouses that got wrecked by the wind.  This one has the sort of heavy duty mesh that doesn't get bashed to bits as easy.   In the heated propogator there are signs of life after five days with the pumpkins looking especially healthy!

19th March 2014
Just for reference the reason I dug out the bit of grass to make the potato area was so that I could get a four section layout so we can do four year rotation.  When everything's done it should look something along the lines of the following:

16th March 2014
After running got down the lotty with the missus in tow.  Which was good as while I was getting the graft done she got a row of Japanese onions in as well.  I dug out a load of grass tat that was taking up space so now have four sections for four year crop rotation.  Bit more work to do but it'll get done.

Garlic coming along nicely.

New spuds area half dug out

A view of the spuds area from the posts to the cane arches

Row of japanese onions in - just leeks and carrots to go in. 

15th March 2014
Finally got the heated propogator going - tomatoes, sweet corn and pumpkin seeds gone in - will see how they get on in due course. The plan is to use the raised bed thing for the pumpkins ready for hallow'een later in the year.  All good stuff!

12th March 2014
Went out running so thought would stop by the plot and give the garlic a bit of water as we've had three summer-like days on the trot.

10th March 2014
Got out of work a little bit early.  Got to Allotment for about 5.20 and got a row of Sturon onions in.  Still got half a rows worth left too.  I know what you're thinking - straight as a dog's hind leg.   All good stuff.

9th March 2014 
The day after running the Grindleford Gallop got down to the Allotment about 9am.  Few cars there already. Briefly saw neighbour on the left side and say the chap who's got the big clock in his shed, Bernie.  A 21 handicapper at the golf club it turns out.  Harry Seeds was also up to something with a hammer.  Anyway the plan was to get the bean pit dug and it was achieved.  I could do with some more manure really for it but am planning to bang some growmore across it.  The layout is changing all the time.  I really ought to get it all planned properly!  There is a little bit of logic in putting the bean row here and that's that the area I'm putting it in has been covered in manure all winter so the soil in the pit is already well-fed plus the potato peelings going in the bottom of the pit should provide more feed as the season progresses - see, there is a plan of sorts!

Anyway I dug the raspberry canes that had gone past their alloted area and were in the way of this seasons bean row.  Gave them to a neighbour a couple of plots down Jane's her name and she was more than happy to have them and she cycles to the allotment so must be a good sort!

Digging the bean pit

Bean pit partially filled

A few daffs appearing amongst the mud

1st March 2014
Marvellous day so got an hour or two on the lotty.

Garlic coming up under my amazing cloche mullarky!

Used up the other garlics before it's too late - should have been in for Feb really.

Garlic shooting up after being under the cloche.

February 2014

Jobs to do:
Water Butts to sort
Onions to plant
Garlic to plant
Final bit of digging to get done pronto.
Spuds a-chitting.
Fencing round the plot to keep bloomin rabits out.
Autumn bearing raspberries need pruning to ground

Sunday 3rd February 2014
Another flying visit.  Bought some more spuds from B&M, this time.  Two packs of First Early Rocket - which are supposed to be a real fast first early (hence the name, you'd presume) and a pack of Estima which are a second early - probably got more spuds than I actually need so probably going to put half a dozen in a little square I've got at home that's got nowt in it.

IBC is full to brim - silicone round pipe didn't work.

Did some jiggery pokey with the water butts and re-directed the drainpipe off the shed roof as there's no point it feeding the IBC if it's already overflowing.

Had a look at John Scott's plot which is fenced off to get an idea of how many little posts required.  Looks like it needs 19 so if I can get 20 that'd work out best as could have two gates then I reckon.

John Scott's plot to get an idea of how many stakes needed.

Monday 10th February 2014
Have bought a heated propogator for the princely sum of £33.  It looks a bit like:

The trays are pretty small but could have three little pots in each.  It uses non-thermostat controlled carbon fibre heating elements for even heat distribution apparently.   My cunning plan is to get some stuff going at the end of the month to go into the mini-greenhouse on the plot when we get to end of March. When propogator is clear again in will go tomatoes and so on and so on....


Friday 14th February 2014
Had half an hour to spare so went down to prune the autumn bearing raspberries down to the ground.  This scares me big style but it is the standard advice and I checked it out with the chap that had the plot previous to us:

From http://www.thompson-morgan.com/how-to-grow-raspberries

Pruning Raspberries

Knowing when to prune raspberries can seem complicated but it is really very simple! All you need is a good pair of secateurs and some gardening gloves to protect against thorns.

• - Pruning autumn-fruiting raspberries these are the simplest to prune. In late winter (February) prune all the canes to ground level before growth commences. The plants will fruit on new growth.

This is the raspberry 'enclosure' - going to dig up any that fall outside it!

Another angle - check the raised beds next door

These were the canes that came off - down to the garden waste at the recycling centre they went

Another problem to fix - IBC is full and dripping - needs a bit of a run off or the base will be rotten in no time.

About a fortnight ago this water butt was near as damnit empty!  Not so bothered that I've not done the overflow pipes now - they'll all be overflowing soon!

Tuesday 18th February 2014
Couple of hours but didn't get enough pictures! Used my Uncle Peter's old saw to cut some wood up and made a cloche from a sheet of clear corrugated plastic sheet and wood.  Have banged some Garlic in at the bottom of the plot - forgot to take a picture of it.   The Garlic was from 99p shop and was called Alium Sativum.

Still got to get some posts and get a bean trench done pronto!

January 2014

January 2014

Saturday 4th January 2014
Got to allotment late in the day.  Put the Salem's Plot #13 name plate bought for me by the boss and daughter onto side of shed.  Checked water level on IBC - about 25% full I reckon at least. Should have plenty of water available by Summer.

Still plenty to dig over but bottom bit is done and I did top bit a month or two ago so not much needs doing before planting time, really

Salem's Plot - Christmas Present from Boss and Lulu

Water Level coming along nicely.

Wednesday 16th January 2014
Not had a lot of time for lotty as been putting floorboards down in the loft.  Managed to pop by and check everything alright this morning during morning run.   Water level is coming along at a rapid rate it must be said.

Sunday 19th January 2014

Went down the lottyfor half an hour to put some silicon round where the pipe enters the IBC so it should give us a bit more capacity.  Not sure whether it'll work or not - time will tell.

Monday 20th January 2014

Bought a load of seed spuds from 99p shop - can't hurt to give em a go can it?  We'll see

First Earlies

Red Duke of York

The Red Duke of York has a thick red russetted skin with soft fluffy yellow flesh with a delicate flavour. It is most suitable for fluffy roast potatoes or baking jackets.

Duke of York

This variety has a yellow flesh and loose skin. They are harvested early before maturity for a fresh flavour and are ideal for boiling, roasting whole or steaming as part of everyday healthy meals.

Vales Emerald 

An outstanding early bulking variety with attractive appearance on the shelf and excellent flavour. With 25% higher yields than existing punnet varieties, Emerald is proving to be extremely popular with growers and retailers alike.

Sharpes Express

Sharpes Express seed potatoes are one of JBA's exclusive heritage potatoes, first added to the national potato variety list in 1901 and they have been going strong ever since.

Sharpes Express tubers are long and oval shaped with white skins and pale, lemon-coloured flesh. Their highly dry matter makes Sharpes Express a great potato in the kitchen with great all-round cooking use. Sharpes Express has a fine flavour and is suited to boiling, roasting and chipping.

Second Earlies

 Wilja

This variety has yellow skin and light yellow flesh. It is ... Potatoes Roast Potatoes Homemade Potato Wedges

Charlotte

Charlotte potatoes are classic salad potatoes and widely available across all ... and light yellow flesh, they are relatively small potatoes

Tuesday 21st January 2014

Went down the lotty and set the spuds out to 'chit' in egg trays.

Left to right it goes:

First Earlies: Vales Emerald, Duke of York, Sharps Express, Red Duke of York

Second Earlies in last two columns are Wilja and Charlotte. 

Planning ahead.  
Spuds want to be planted where the beans were last year so that's the bit up near the raspberries nearest the shed.  Will set up a new bean row at the bottom of the raspberries I reckon.

First earlies want gaps of 12" between each seed potato and 18" gap between rows.
Second earlies want gaps of 15" between each seed potato and will use same gap between rows to keep it simple.


27th January 2014 - even more planning ahead.
Found this site the other day:- http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/main/weather1.asp
What's good about it is that it will tell you when your last frost of Spring is  (Early May for Derby) and when your first frost of Autumn is (Mid October for Derby) so the reason this is good is that it means you can plan when to plant things for transplanting outdoors if they're not very frost-tolerant.  So Tomatoes for example would be planted around second week of March for planting out mid-May.

December 2013 : IBC and other continued madness

Sunday 1st December 2013
Me and the lad went to do some more work on the IBC.  One of the committee members Harry told us we couldn't put it next to the fence - have you read your plot-holder agreement?  No, I just asked the other chap what I needed to do in installing the damn thing - make sure it's on a sturdy base, make sure it doesn't infringe a path or cast a shadow and make sure it's connected to the shed roof.  Shame they waited four weeks before telling us to move the damn thing.  So dug out a base and we've put it at the front. It'll all be worth it when we've got 1200 litres of water going on I'm sure.

Sunday 8th December 2013
Cut some wood up for the front. got some guttering bits.  When Phil back from t'farm we got to the lotty and got back on the job.  Wind has made a right mess of other plots but I think we benefitted from the shelter of the hedge.  That said, it's twisted the shed enough to make it a pain to bolt the door and broken the two plastic chairs we had.  Have got a couple of wooden ones that I might bring down to the plot if the wife will let me.

We're almost there by end of the day.

Roof on, obligatory cup of tea and coffee in position

Need to replace seating in front of shed which we had to move to accommodate IBC

Still half the guttering to complete

Saturday 14th December 2013 / Sunday 15th December 2013
After golf had an hour of light to get guttering fixed.  Which we did.  Also had a couple of hours weeding and digging.  This bit in the picture below was full of thistles and some stringy weedy tat.  Filled two fertilizer bags with weeds and single dug from middle to the border.  Technically speaking I ought to the other half to nearest to the camera but it's nicely mulched with manure so could leave it if time doesn't allow.

We lost the bosses throne when we had to move the IBC but we've reinstated it now!

The missus' throne re-established

The guttering has been tweaked a bit but should work well.

The IBC tank is now fully commissioned - need to fill that 3.75" gap on the front but other than that it's done now.  We've re-routed the guttering to drop water from shed roof to roof of IBC which will hopefully fill up over winter. 

Had a look at the plot on Google Maps' aerial pictures.  When they passed over it i.e. before we got it and probably a good while before the previous owner left it to go to seed it looked like it was in good shape (our plot is the one under the white dot):-

Sunday 22nd December 2013

Wet and horrible but had a quick trip to lotty to see how much water in IBC.  I reckon there's between and 100 litres in first week.  

Water level so far.

In context of whole IBC 

Saturday 28th December 2013
Quick vist to lotty to measure up the little gap.  9.8cm x 98 cm it was so cut a bit of wood for it when got home.

Water level has now got to first horizontal bar so coming along nicely.

Sunday 29th December 2013
Up to lotty for about 10am.  Frosty morning and was first one on.  As ground was a bit hard I got all the bags of weeds accumulated over last few weeks down to car to take to recycling centre. 

Fitted the final piece of wood to the IBC housing so that's as good as we can get it I reckon.  I've made it so that it can be taken out to check on water-level.   I also finished off the missus' throne as Phil had only put one piece of wood under the three planks that make the base.  Have put a load of pots and seed trays in there to tidy the place up a bit.  Pleased with how it's coming on. 

Also took the cover off the little mini-greenhouse so it wouldn't get totally buggered with the damn wind.  I've decided it's going to stand just to the left of the shed facing South'ish.  Am going to get two posts banged into ground to tether it to and might also use a slab to anchor it down. 

Spent last couple of hours digging the other half at the bottom of the plot so that part's all dug over now.  Still need to weed and do the bit at the top but keep on chipping away at it all.