Johnplotman's Journal

Last Post 16 hours ago

Great Saturday weather.

16 January 2010 20:01:10

Vegetable garden work.

No complaints about weather effect today with first off no rain, and getting some sunshine in the afternoon.Rain did not effect the work and held off until just before 5 pm.

The only setback today was first the checking off last nights wind damage and to assess the frost damage earlier in the week.With the wind damage last night the vegetable bed covers must off liked to almost pay a visit to the neighbours garden.Looking through the garden about the frost damage,i was disappointed at first to see 3 young Lavatera shrubs almost wiped out.When i checked on my saved seed potatoes [saved every third year] having them all under cover in the press inside the garden shed it was quite annoying to see them wiped out,apart from just about 7 potatoes.They were planned to start getting ready for chitting this week and to harvest them in late April or close to that in the tunnell.The frost did not effect them as i checked every night to make sure all was well apart from just one of the nights that caused the damage.[-13].

The goodness of the weather helped wipe out the disappointment of having to destroy the damaged vegetables,thanks to the weather during the week.I got to work on the 6 top beds and got to dig,rake,and compost them where needed.The frost did not hold up the show with the effected frozen ground thanks to the weather.The rain started about 5 pm but i was happy with todays work.A little different than planned but when the digging started that was that.I half had expected them to be unworkable on,no thanks to the weather.The planned work on turning the compost heaps today,which will be left to cook during the year were not touched until Monday evening.[Thanks good weather]We want more of you.[Pictures to be added]

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Jacinta 16 January 2010 20:09:28

What a bummer about your frost damage, especially your potatoes. But you will still sow the 9 that are left, won't you? It would be a shame not to.

Johnplotman 16 January 2010 20:22:02

That is for sure Jacinta.Wheeling the barrow out the gate i looked up to the sky and said,look what you done to me weather,i was that let down about it.Weather left its mark to all the gardeners here in Ireland.Those 9 will be treated like gold dust now.A drop in the ocean compared to more serious problems around Ireland like drinking water,burst pipes,etc.

fran m 16 January 2010 20:22:44

Bad luck there John, was it purely down to the cold, that the damage was done?

Johnplotman 16 January 2010 20:42:57

That is for sure Fran.Potatoes will stand a certain amount of cold.They need a cool dry place with light when chitting them.With that low a temperature of almost -13defeat is like the weather and comes out on top.Happens to be a steel shed to leave things worse.

Jacinta 16 January 2010 20:46:28

My garage is an ideal place for chitting spuds. Can't wait to get some going. They are coming in to our place either next week or the week after. So that will give me time to tidy up and make room for them.

Fran, last year I grew mine in those bags I got you for the Kris Kindle. They were gorgeous. No excuse for you this year. And you certainly won't regret it.

fran m 16 January 2010 21:11:15

Jacinta, how many did you put into each bag?

Jacinta 16 January 2010 21:14:41

Put a whole bagful into the planting bag, Fran. I put them in layers and they took off like wildfire. Beautiful taste. Can't remember which ones, though. This year, I will take more notes. And I will describe taste, texture, volume of harvest, any possible problems etc. into MY NEW DIARY. Hee hee. You gotta get yourself one. That right, John?

Johnplotman 16 January 2010 21:16:40

A great place the garage,for the job.Works perfect at chitting them.I gave the local Coop a ring to see about a possible time when they will be on sale Jacinta,but still no further on.Duke off York have always been my favourite first early potatoes.I thought i was well ahead with the potatoes but the severe frost thought different

Johnplotman 16 January 2010 21:28:27

Thats for sure Jacinta.I have one here but the biggest reading apart from the usual seed sowing dates etc will be on success and mistakes through the year.Through mistakes we learn.Back about 2 years or so i read an articale in the Kitchen Garden mag im nearly sure,about a young 12 year old girls idea about the use of the 7 up bottle to be propelled by wind on the bamboo cane to fight of birds from the onionns.It got first prize in part of the magazine.The note here book was in full demand then.

Jacinta 16 January 2010 21:32:48

Great idea with the bottle, I will either make a scarecrow or do that with the bottle. I think it will still be of benefit to the small space that I will be creating for a few veggies. And the scarecrow could even be a focal point in the garden. A bit of humour goes a long way!

Johnplotman 16 January 2010 21:57:12

Nothing beats the bit of humour Jacinta.The perfect focal point.The scarecrow is one of the most important members of the vegetable garden here.I think the birds want him to shift away from the garden but he wants to frighten the ......off so wont move.

Jacinta 16 January 2010 22:30:38

Your poor potatoes, John. But on the bright side, it's still early enough to start chitting all over again with fresh stock.

Johnplotman 16 January 2010 23:08:31

They are gone by the wayside here now Jacinta.I have had them similar for years now without any problem from weather.Nature attacked with all forces this year.Lots of time to start some more all right.I rang a friend of mine in the last half hour or so to collect me some more egg trays and i emphasised i needed them asop.The juice from tubers earlier destroyed the trays into the bargain.The others are gone by the wayside now.Time is a great healer.Forward planning.

Jacinta 16 January 2010 23:10:44

You go, John. Onwards and upwards. You will overcome all obstacles.

Johnplotman 16 January 2010 23:24:19

Thanks Jacinta.Their is always light at the end of the tunnell.Gardening would not be the same without obstacles.

DIBBLES 17 January 2010 16:58:13

Sorry to read about the damage did not know the cold weather would kill potatoes

Johnplotman 17 January 2010 20:41:12

Thank you Dibbles.With temperatures been as low as above anything is possible.Looking through some of the damage to other gardens in Ireland shows the severity of such a frost attack.The potatoes had tiny little chitts on them and some with very fine pieces of them.Some look good but the damage is done inside.The frost turned the chits black and destroys the inside of them.On a egg tray for example you will almost see the black sort of liquid that will run out of them stuck to the base of the tray.Weather will never come as bad again for a long long ,time.[hopefully]They want a cool place and will stick the usual amount of frost.When it drops to -13 it is another story.