Johnplotman's Journal

Thinning some veg,and then off to play cards..

Legumes area.[Peas with companions]in the veg,garden.

This evening i will do as planned and attack the area at the final stage for thinning out.This will be done alongside the lower arch.Carrots and beetroot,need a visit especially.Hopefully by app 9 this evening i will have the job done.The usual Wednesday evening card game is on an hour later than usual to allow everyone avail of the good weather.No plans for anymore work in the garden later on this evening.When the job is done [thinning] and a quick check over all,i will have a fast shower and head off.

In the garden late yesterday evening.

Glorious feed from weeds.

Most of the weeding was done late yesterday evening in the main vegetable garden.If all goes well then the outer beds will be given a visit aroung 6 pm or there abouts.Watering is fine outside thanks to all the rain but not much use to the inside areas.Some of the young vegetables are at their third stage for thinning out and cant be left much longer.At all costs i hope to get a least two hours in the vegetable garden this evening.

Spinach [Spinacia oleracea].Home grown 2010.

Spinach 2010.

Above all vegetables in the garden here,Spinach has always been my favourite.The other vegetables i also have a liking for,but this one above all.Some like it,others do not. The Spinach [Spinacia oleracea] known as Perpetual spinach is easy to grow and rarely runs to seed despite dry conditions.Leaves are gathered regular.In one area i dont thin out and enjoy them while young. 

Looking again for another name.

Name needed for this member of the centre flower bed.

On a lovely morning with no problem with rain, and the temperatures well up,a lot of the gardeners will be in action.Water will be in full demand inside in the tunnel and some more weeding is due there.

Any ideas on this little member of the main garden bed.I have no idea what it is called and would love to know.It has always been known as a member of the main bed family but the full name would be better to know,thanks.

Time to attack the vegetable garden.

Summer glorious summer.

Just had a bit to eat and will attack some more weeding in the vegetable garden.Getting a little out of hand but i will soon put a stop to that.Onion beds will have any weeds noticed,pulled up and not any hoeing done there.To dangerous now especially.The hoe will be used where possible on other beds and all going well i should have another dinner for compost heap 2 with the compost bin outside the tunnel door also given a share.The first two pipes will be put in place to help things along for compost heap 2 at this stage.

Coming home this evening i made a quick call to my Sisters house and the first thing i admired was the flower baskets,tubs etc.Even Tomatoes [Tom Thumb] mixed in there among some of them.So much for the summer weather.

More names on the search for.

Name seeking please.

On a lovely bright morning with readings up well,lets hope the rain has moved on now.No worries about outdoor watering at least.This evening has to be spent in the vegetable garden with weeds appearing at a very fast rate now.They need removing fast,and not been allowed to overstay the visit and encourage more and more of them.

In the picture is another unknown member of the garden here.This tub is placed at the entrance area,in front of the second flower and shrub bed.Has green leaves with the top 5-6 leaves a deep red.Has already flowered in Spring.Name needed please.

On with the rain coat again.

Polytunnel in late June 2010.

Another wet day with plenty of rain calling.Plans for this evening changed a little thanks to the rain but with the help of our friend the raincoat i managed to move 8 more mini beds into place.The tunnel was given a washing out and will be watered first thing in the morning.Plenty of water falling outside but not much use undercover to thirsty beds.If time allows i will spend an hour in the vegetable garden as earlie as possible in the morning.

The start of another week.

Brassica in the outer beds 2010.

After a busy weekend in the vegetable garden,especially yesterday and also listening to Meaths great victory in the football game,all went well.A large area has now been thinned out.Some more Peas and Tomatoes will be checked on this evening.No problems with weather yesterday but a little different this morning.Drizzle is paying a visit.The weather report is for cloudy and rain today so plans may change a little.If all goes well then rain or else will not stop a visit to the vegetable garden later this evening,even if only to the tunnel or greenhouse. Rain is needed but not to much of it when we dont want it.

All day today in the vegetable garden.

Walking by my neighbours house,needs planting.

Sprayed the rest of the Potatoes for blight first thing this morning.All of today will be spent in the vegetable garden.Took my Sunday walk sooner than expected to allow as much time as possible to be spent in the garden today.

Name needed please,for this rose.

Name wanted please of this rose..

My neighbour offered me the choice of some roses if i wanted them.Work is being done on the lawn so they must go.The first one in the picture,so far stands only about 60 cm high,a lovely white colour,with a sweet scent,and not much sign of too many thorns.

Potato Blight [Phytophthora infestans.]

Time for protection.

The weather report has given a warning of Potato Blight paying a return visit this weekend.Spraying will be done this evening for a while and will be finished in the morning,just after first light.As the disease spreads very rapidly in warm,humid conditions,no chances can be taken.

Later that usual in the garden today.

More visitors in place.

Earlier this morning just after 7 am i just managed to have a fast look in the tunnel.On return in the late afternoon i finished the putting in place of two more new comers to join their friends.Now that area has different conifers at that section.After sweeping up the area i headed down to the vegetable garden to do some feeding.Watering is due a visit on to all for a few hours in the morning.

Begging again for a full name.

Spirea i know but the full name not.

This is some of the Spirea that have been here many years,but im back begging for the full name.I know it is Spirea and deciduous and keep it pruned here every year.Would love the full name.Thanks again.

Looking for another name please.

Name of this one also needed.

Another of the new members to join my garden.Not only one,but two of them.Name though a six marker to me.All i know is that it is a shrub and i think also evergreen.After that no further details.Would love to know the full name for them.

Name needed please of this shrub.

Name needed please.

This is one of the shrubs from earlier in the week i picked up.The name though is new to me.Just suits the job perfect here for the area used.The entrance bed at the top of the main garden is filling up faster than i expected.

Much appreciated.

Plenty of rain pays a visit.

Outdoor hanging baskets 2010.

The rain was badly needed last night.A lot of the outdoor watering has been avoided.No good to the tunnel and greenhouse though.They were seen to just after 7 am this morning.Let the rain fall when we need it most,and not at the wrong time.

Looking around the gardens,i knoticed my first red tomato on the hanging baskets.I look forward to enjoying that later.

Plenty of rain this evening,just when we need it.

A special gift.

Talk about being happy to see the rain fall.This evening i had just finished sowing the last of the shrubs,but only managed to spend an hour in the vegetable garden.Then just as the hose was out for missed watering,the skies opened and down it came.The rain could not have come at a better time.

Off to play cards this evening from around 8.30 so not a lot more will be done with the garden.Maybe if time goes well an hour will be spent later in the tunnel

The special little gift in the picture came to my Mum this evening from two of my nieces.Even a red ribbon around its neck.If i could only train the kitten to devour slugs.

Time for more thinning in the vegetable garden.

First three new shrubs in place with containers..

Yesterday evening i spent a few hours planting more of my lovely free shrubs.Intended to thin out some more Turnips [Brassicas napa] but they will have to wait until this evening.Carrots need a visit in the side area and also be done this evening.All thinnings from the Carrots [Daucus carota] will be straight to the compost heap and not just threw in on top of it but will be buried in the heap.The first visit from Carrot fly may be over just now,but dont worry they wont be to long away.So no scent left for them at all costs.Most of the Carrots have netting but some are open.About 3 hours between 5 and 8 this evening will be spent in the vegetable garden.Did not get to the tunnel late last night.

Todays lucky shrub catch.

My friends arrived.

Earlier this morning,an area close to me was getting a job done on the flower beds with a complete over haul.Shrubs were taken up,and going by i spotted some of them in the trailer.Asking if i could have them made my day.Got my hands on up to seven of them.At lunchtime i spent about 20 minutes drawing up a place for them.From earlier this evening i now have  added 3 more in tubs,2 in the entrance flower bed,and 2 in the main flower bed.That made my day.I will add an album of them when the job is finished and i will be also lucking for the name of 1 of them,im not sure off.

The long days of June depart.

Looking for more names.

As the long days of June now move on and the sun shining,gardeners seldom have a spare moment.

Transplanting,sowing,digging,spraying,weeding,hoeing,and especially watering will keep us all busy during every spare hour.However the rewards are now becoming evident.A little behind time with earlier weather but we will make it.A lot of the vegetables should be growing well in the summer heat.Some are being harvested now.The important bit to remember is when the crop is harvested to make sure to deposit all inedible bits to the compost heaps.Never leave old leaves etc lying around or every slug going will make it a camping home for them and attack from there every night.I water if at all possible first thing in the morning to most of the vegetable beds and the damp areas [ground etc] will have dried up during the day.Slugs hate that.The tunnel will have the floor washed down for me about 4 times throughout the day to help some of the way again the place drying out.All will be then be dry by evening time.So much for sunshine.Long may it stay.

Catching up time and after more flower names.

Name wanted for this Foxglove.

On another scorcher of a day with plenty of sunshine,a lot of gardeners will be in action.Spent just after 6 am in the tunnel this morning watering etc and then on to the vegetable beds in the outer area for similar,to catch up on jobs.This evening i will attack the hedge,on the left side of the main garden this time and hope to have that area done in an hour or there abouts.Some weeding is needed in the vegetable beds so the hoe will also be called upon.

Foxglove 1 in the garden at the entry i dont know the full name for,and would love to find out.

Plans for today.

Geranium in full bloom now.

Plans for today will be to attend my late Aunts funeral [suddenly] and later to get to have a chat with some friends.Gardening will be mentioned at some stage or another im sure among some of us,but will be in second place today.We will be heading off in a short while.I did not get to reply to my journal until this morning,as the house had plenty of visitors yesterday evening.Some of us took a walk down the garden and that gave me a while to check on the plants there.Only about 2 months back i was asked if i could give some cuttings of shrubs etc to my late Aunt and the same lady was calling back to have a longer walk around my garden in summer when in bloom.If we are back anyway earlie this evening i will spend time in the vegetable garden and have another check on all.The weather is fine again today and long may the good summer last.

The main flower added to some more.

Main bed.

Time did not work out as planned for yesterday.I did get to have a few hours in the centre flower bed though,to replace some more visitors to it.The mowing of the grass in the final area will now have to wait until Monday evening.Watering was done around 9 am in one area for about an hour.It is good to see the colour coming back into the main flower bed after all that was removed from it. All were into container buckets,and done with a form of pottaging.A full total has to be made up on all,and will be when the final 6 has some more annual flowers added.

Sacrifical crops in the vegetable garden..

Name wanted please.

Sacrifical crops,and what they are in the vegetable garden.When certain plants are growing to attract insect garden pests off our hard grown vegetables the idea is to use an area the insects will go for.It means we lose a certain plant or two,but we know that from the start,that is the reason they were put down for.One plant they love are the nasturtiums,It is vital that the supply of your sacrifical plants continue to make them work. An odd pest will break the barrier but its all in gardening.

The rose in the picture opposite has been here years now.The name though has never been known.We always called it the big pink rose plant.Grows tall.Good to get the name finally known here.

The sky at night.

On return home.

Last night i took some pictures of the cloudy sky.Felt like rain was in the air,but none arrived yet.So far so good this morning.Watering was done earlier with the Potatoes [Solanum tuberosum] in the area outside the back door.Close to them are the oldest roses here in the whole garden.A good many years they have been knocking around.Just after 7.30 i finished the job of watering there so that eases the water worries.Took a fast walk through the vegetable garden and all is well.Plans for this evening will be to finish the hedge trimming.

Good friends in the garden.

Lettuce will be lifted in time to allow room.

Down at the bottom arch the companions are growing well.Turnips [Brassica napa] Cabbage [Brassica oleracea] and Lettuce [Lactuca sativa] are fillling out well.The lettuces will be lifted in time to allow enough room for development of the other row of plants.On the opposite side of the arch the other successional sowing of the Carrots are doing well as are the Spinach [Spinacia oleracea] in another area.The climbers at the arch are taking their time,but coming on.

Going like clockwork.

Getting there.

Managed to trim the bottom hedge in the vegetable garden and with all going so well i decided to remain at the job and attack the hedge in the main garden.Just one setback,the fuel can run out by 9.30,so that finished the work there.No more cutting until another evening.I had a very fast wash and was just in time for the break at the cards.Still not a winner but the amount of hedge cutting i got done,was a winner for me,so i was happy.Took a fast look again in the tunnel on return home so all is well there.The ther,gave a reading of +12 so all growing well.

Cutting time this evening.

Chitted potatoes earlier in the year.

In a short while i will attack the hedge in the vegetable garden.That will be done at all costs up until later.The usual card game will be on this evening,but whether i will attend that or not will be another thing.The weather is to good to miss out.All i can do is see how things go in the garden at the trimming of the hedge.First off though,time to have something to eat and then the garden awaits.

I did not get to reply to any journal but without fail,either later on this evening maybe,or first thing in the morning.The tunnel may also get a late visit.

Scab on potatoes.

This looks like little brown scabs on the tuber.It has no real effect on the crop so no panic.The problem can simply be peeled away.Dont try to store potatoes with this slight problem.Use them up first.They wont keep. 

Hedge cutting time.

Arthur Bell rose in the bottom garden.

This evening,all time will be spent trimming the hedge at the bottom of the vegetable garden.All watering was done just after 7 am this morning.That much is out of the way.A quick check will be given to the tunnel at lunchtime today,for a few minutes.Our friends the butterflies are calling to pay a visit.On one of the outer uncovered beds i removed my first marker from the Cabbage white butterflies,Caterpillar [Pieris brassicae.] eggs.Though not invited,they love to visit and attack the garden.All nets are already up,so the remainder will have to be under watchful eye first thing in the morning and later in the evening.

The transplanting of Lettuce.[Lactuca sativa]

Lettuce [Lactuca sativa] in an old plastic container.

Something that is not done very often here in any of the vegetable beds.They are not one bit fond of having the roots upset.Not saying it cant be done,but only just they hate it.Some things to remember when transplanting them,are to make sure that you have done so in time.If the leaves get to large,they will not transplant well especially.With evaporation and the root hairs been broken,it takes hours for them to recover well.They wilt easily and thats trouble.I  seldom thin them out,only sow them by successional sowing [little and often] then when 1 small row is eaten the next will be ready.Not them all at once and the compost bin enjoying it.

Adding material to the compost heap.

Tunnel bin full at the half way mark this year.

When you add new material to the heap,dont keep taking the lid off each time you have something for it,and throwing it to one side.Unless of course you have a large section for it.What i do is leave a bucket beside the bin close to the door at the tunnel and when finished for the day empty all into the compost bin.Holding Bins are left in 2 different areas in the vegetable garden,then brought over to the compost heaps late in the evening.To keep the heap hot [cooking] the lid has to be left on as much as possible.Leave it off all the time and you defeat the cause.Open the lid sparingly.With the  compost heaps in the vegetable garden,they have no lid,but old carpet is doing fine on top of them,with bubble wrap later in the year to keep the temperature up with them.

In the vegetable garden this evening.

Netting over Lettuce down in early June.

Managed to wash out the greenhouse,but spent a little later than expected there.Some used flower pots etc were removed out to the washing area for later in the year.Shelves etc were dusted down,but happy with this evenings work.While having a quick bit to eat this evening i took a picture of the Lettuce [successional sowing] only down on the 6th of June.Well developed seedlings already.

Plans for this evening in the vegetable garden.

Geraniums in full bloom in all areas.

All going well i hope to spend some more time getting jobs done in the vegetable garden this evening.First off though.it was tunnel and greenhouse checking for watering just  before 7 am this morning.The sun is out in full blast now,but let it be out siimilar this evening when needed.The greenhouse floor needs a sweeping and a wash out.Plans will also be to get in more seeds into the vegetable garden,especially this month [June]. Those are the my plans for this evening,if all goes to plan throughout the day.

Latest sowings in the vegetable garden.

Allium 2010 [June]

Some more seeds started earlier in the month are coming on well now.A large section of the beds,tubs etc,are showing well.Successional sowing has been called upon with some of them and plants are now at 3 different stages for growing.Water will be in full demand shortly.[we are all hoping for].Some of the sprinklers need setting up along with more drip hoses.One time we are washed out of it with rain,and then we need it.Hopefully the clouds will help us all in the gardens,and be there when we want it most.Insects are warming up for attack.Some have visited already but that was just a warm up for them.The defence forces [netting etc] have been called upon over the last while.Of the 4 way rotation used here,3 areas Brassicas,Roots,and Others were  called upon again this month.The fourth one Potatoes,are developing well.

Compost heap 2 getting a nettle boost.

Front bed 1 filling up.

For about only an hour last [10-11] night i managed to add another layer of nettles to the second compost bed.They are a great addition to the compost heap,being rich in nitrogen.This causes bacteria to get going for us and make feed for the gardens.Some more layers [skins etc] were added and then given another nettle visit.Notes were taken in the tunnel with the help of some light,of the work done.Time was then spent in the tunnel until after about 12.30 am.

Still waiting on real good weather.

Name please.[Front flower bed here]

In the garden yesterday i tied up some of the peas,this time in the area close to the greenhouse.Noticed an odd weed that wanted to come to the compost bin for the upper area of the garden.Plenty of rain had fallen earlier in the morning.Hopefully it wont have run out of the stuff,and let it fall when we want it most of all.I payed a visit to a local vegetable garden in the afternoon.Spent a while chatting with the gardeners,but could not leave without a quick cuppa,as usual.On return home i took Bruce the dog for a long evening walk and while looking upon 3 flower beds i spotted the amazing difference in growth there over the last few weeks.Some hanging baskets [4] are also out.The weather is to be on all the gardeners sides this week.Lets hope it will be.

Netting Brassicas [cabbages etc.] here.

Yesterday i done all grass trimming as planned and finished off the rest of the Brassica netting.Took a little later than planned with the netting as i had to go and get more canes,and plastic pipes.Some of the neeting was a little under the weather and had to get a double covering.The main bed and also the top bed in the vegetable garden are done.The beds at the lower end of the small garden similar.With the tubs of the recent sowings they have also been done,especially with some coming on well now.The Cabbages [Brassica oleraces var.gemmiferra] is covered now in 4 areas.Added to them beds have been Turnips Brassica [napa] and with the Cabbages some Potatoes [Solanum tuberosum] as they are good companions.Tub 12 has Carrots [Damens carota var.satira] there added,and was also checked on for covering.Had to rush off early yesterday evening,but was happy with the days jobs done.

Spent a few hours earlier in the vegetable garden but rain has changed play a little.Time for some lunch and see what happens then.No plans for later.

Almost another scorcher of a day.

Getting a little full inside the tunnel door last night.

Digging,sowing and planting etc willl be in full swing today.The weather is on our side.Only made a visit to the tunnel last night again.I will spend some time their at some stage today also,but grass needs a visit.Some of the top lawn has been trimmed,but the remainder of all grass will be done by lunchtime.The weeds are paying a visit at a rapid rate.Watering was checked on earlier.The area at the greenhouse has been prepared for the new compost bin to suit that section of the garden.All other bucket feeds [comfrey,nettles etc] will also be in that area.The centre hedge needs me to pay it a visit,and with the state of the weather damage on it from earlier in the year,it wont take to long.In the afternoon at some stage the notes needs checking on for feeding due in the centre vegetable beds.Companions of Cabbabe [Brassica oleracea,] and Potatoes [Solanum tuberosum] are getting on well with each other.Netting needs preparing and setting up,with butterflies loving to leave a mark.

Sempervivum,doing well.

Sempervivum.[Mother hen and all the chicks]

A little on the dull side this morning.Managed to spend about 2 hours in the tunnel last night when i returned home.Some of the stalks etc,need another tying up.Watering was checked on then over all,to see who would be needing some this morning.Done that job just after 8am.The greenhouse is fine.Brought in two of the buckets close to the tunnel that needed weeding.Had a walk then around some of the outer beds in the vegetable garden [with the help of a torch] to check on them and see all was well.No signs of slugs at that stage but rest assured they were getting the plates ready to try for some dinner.Tomorrow the grass needs cutting,and plenty more of those dalm weeds have payed a visit to the beds,in the vegetable garden especially.Early in the morning watering will be checked on in the greenhouse,and check on the temperatures in the 2 places.

Hope to get down into the garden sometime about 7-8 this evening,all going well.

A while back i was asked if a Sempervivum would be any good to me if i wanted it for my garden.Looked a little under the weather.One place that would have been going then was to was the bin.Not any more.The only place it was heading was to join the gang here.

Garden plans today.

Lilium [Pixie] in the tunnel this morning.

I had a walk earlier around 8am to give a quick check on the new veg plants.Weeds are appearing everywhere around the garden,and at a fast rate.If the plants would only grow as fast.Looking through the outer beds some of them also need a little attention,but will wait until this evening.Growth is in the air.Checking on readings first thing this morning had the tunnel back to only 10 deg,but well improved now.Jobs in the vegetable garden will have to wait until late this evening.Looking very like the light of the tunnel will be called into action later.While reading through some garden notes on return fron the cards late last night i thought about adding a fourth compost heap area to the garden.This time that will be a compost bin at the greenhouse,used to feed around there and also some of top beds.One final check in the tunnel now before rushing off.

Lilium [Pixie] growing well in the tunnel.

A short while in the vegetable garden.

Main garden area gets new friends,earlier in the week..

For the next few hours i will be stuck in the vegetable garden.The remainder of the spraying again Potato blight [Phytophthora infestans] will be completed.Got a good section done at lunchtime today.The bad side of weather has be a winner for most of the day.Not heavy rain but a mist.Has eased off now in the last while.Some time will be spent weeding bed 5 if at all possible.Time will also be spent in the tunne.Now in June,weather is strange.One day a winner for us and now the opposite.Off to play the usual Wednesday card games later for a few hours.

Will reply to all journals in the morning or later on this evening.

A wet vegetable garden.

Potatoes in the centre area [last sowing.].

I got to spend a short while earlier in the vegetable garden doing some weeding among the Brassica beds.The Roots [Carrot,beetroot etc] need time with them.That will have to wait until this evening.I spoke to my neighbour for a short while about the weather etc,and then on to cast a fast eye on the 9 buckets behind the door in the polytunnel.The greenhouse will be given a visit at lunchtime today,if only for a few minutes.Time will be spent later this evening on return to workon the 6 tomato tubs that will be at the entrance area to the main garden.Painting needs doing first at that area but will have to wait until the weather improves.With the underage gardeners,my niece Orla asked me was her poor veg all right,until the rain stops.So there is hope for a young gardener there.As i have said to the younger ones many times,it is a case of try it and see it.When you consider that some survived earlier in the year and some did not,we hope for the best.The good weather is to return tomorrow.We need it.

Back to a wet evening.

Rain upsets plans this evening.The thinning as planned for one area was abandoned.What i did not let pass was to start some more seeds.Along the slab walk i started some Autumn King Carrots,with one pkt been made of Organic Autumn King seed.They have been added to areas 4 and 5.In the sixth tub i started some Cortinia F1 Carrot seeds there.The areas were covered and will be protected from any more heave rain until the morning,having had compost added first.Some of the plans for this evening worked out,thanks to a raincoat,but hopefully that wont be needed for to long more.We need the sun to be splitting the stones,and not the rain to be serving free food to the slugs.Tonight they will be in their element with the help of the weather.Soon the garden will be due a visit after dark to see if any of the unwelcome guests will be knabbed at the feast. 

Back to action.

Front bed 2,filling up,and needs a little weeding..

Yesterday morning about 10.30 i got a phone to look look at my Sisters vegetable garden.Some of the vegetables were doing fine,apart from a little visit of Potato blight [Phytophthora infestans] on some of the areas,that happened a few days ago.After a chat and a quick cuppa it was back to action in my own area.Having left the house and lost some time,i thought about other jobs in the vegetable garden on return.The weather had been on the gardeners sides for the first half of the day,but in the afternoon a little different.We were washed out of it here from about 2 pm.I had hoped to get so much done,from weeding,to more sowing to  working in the main garden.A little different though.All had to be abandoned then.The weather never improved so i spent time in the tunnel.Readings on the temperature were up on 19 deg yesterday morning but back to 13 deg at 5.30 yesterday evening,and quite noticable.The 6 netting sections were checked on undercover.

Plans for this evening will be the middle area.Some need thinning out there,and then on to the Brassicas at the lower beds,provided rain does not be bad enough to effect the job again.If not to severe the raincoat will be called upon.Those are the plans for this evening.

In the garden today.

Time for a fast read.

Though a dull sort of a morning it is still great for gardening.I hope to spend some time in the main garden today.Some of my friens are to call this evening.Parts of the main garden need checking on.In the centre area the pots that have been used for pottaging,show all the vegetables used growing well.Still to chancy to bring out any flowers from the greenhous,but not for two long more [we hope].Maybe i might add on another 2 more pots to the 25 already there.They have been numbered and put in place.At some stage in the afternoon the hedges might get a visit for another trimming.Down in the vegetable garden the Potatoes will be given another check on against any Blight attack.The fungus Phytophthora infestans can harm leaves,stems,and the tubers.Now though,it is time for a quick breakfast and to collect the daily paper and the garden mag,after having been in the garden from just after 7 am checking on indoor watering.. 

The birds are singing and so are the gardeners.

An early Turnip for 2010.

On return this evening and after having some late lunch i headed back to the vegetable area.This time the emphasis was with the area at the slab walk.In that section the row has tubs 1-3 finished.Here i done some companion planting with the Turnips [Brassica napa] and some Radish [Cruciferae].The seed used were Snowball in 1 area and Golden Ball in the in the remaining 2.The Radish used will be up in about 3 weeks and in plenty of time not to upset the Turnip plans.At the bottom arch on the left section facing the Prunus,that has had the final vacant area used up.Here some of the Lettuce [Lactuca sativa] has been used.On the left of the arch,this time facing the herb house all bottom tubs on the left of the lower garden are in play now.The final 2 have been given seeds through successional sowing of Swedes [Brassica napus].I was quite content with todays work,even if only for a while earlier on this morning and about 2 hours this evening.When the birds are singing and no more rain,then all will be well.

Sunday plans on the damp side.

Snow in the summer.

A few changes have been called upon here today.The raincoat came in handy for the usual visits to the tunnel and greenhouse.They needed to be checked on for watering.In the upper end of the tunnel.Some more tomatoe stalks need to be tied at the second stage.As Tomatoes [Lycopersicon-lycopersicon] and Carrots [Daucus carota] are good friends in the garden with companion planting i have decided to add some more together is that area.This will happen between areas 3 and 6.Basil[ Oamun basilicum] will be included in areas there.No Brassicas [Cabbage etc] will be near them as both Tomatoes and Cabbages detest each other.Some more French wells will be included if room is there.,especially as the Carrots require a constant supply of moisture.They are intolerent of any dry spells.When the Carrots are either cracking or indeed any way knobbly then they will have been given a visit from water stress.With another vegetable such as Potatoes,and they get to dry at the crucial time,they can also crack or be knobbly.Time will be spent in the vegetable garden when the weather goes on the gardeners side.Hopefully in an hour or two the place will be ok to work on.Some more time will be able to get spent in the tunnel until then.Off to visit a friends vegetable garden in the afternoon,and to see his work with some of the cruciferce area he has planned for Turnips [Brassica rapa],and also to talk to him about his crop rotation.Those are the plans for the afternoon.Unless rain decides to upset them.

Yesterday evening the picture from the front garden here of the Snow in the summer [Cerastium tomentosum] added to a lovely day.the day.

Another winner of a day for all gardeners.

Time for a break.

Who could have asked for a better day today with the weather.No rain to upset plans,so all go.The lawns were cut,the beds in the middle area were weeded and another check given on watering with the potatoes.Some of the people i spoke to earlier mentioned about the rain on the way.On the way though is a long time than from just now.When ridges are given a chance to look as if they are cracking, time is very short for watering.No chances can be taken.Three of my nieces called to check on their seedlings and  see if all was well with them.Having a quick check along with them told us all is growing fine for the young gardeners [we hope].This evening i gave a quick check on some of the tubs at the bottom arch.In those are some more Cabbages [Brassica oleracea],for the left side,along with some companions spread with them.On the opposite side are some Beetroot [Beta vulgaris]and alongside them in another area are Spinach [Oleracea].All are doing fine so no worries there.No plans as yet for tomorrow.

Grass cutting first off for doing.

Filling up more.

All the grass was not cut yesterday evening as planned,but this morning will change all that.Just got to spend a brief while in the vegetable garden on return home yesterday evening,but that was it.Headed off with the group for a few drinks.Today all eyes will be on cutting the grass and by early in the afternoon down to work on the seed beds.Watering was done in the tunnel just after first light this morning and up then to check the greenhouse.The sun shines so it looks  another glorious day will be with us.

Water in big demand.

My little Petunias starting to fill.

Water is top of the list these days.The supply is in big demand,especially first thing in the morning.Most of the outer damp areas will have dried up especially in the tunnel when evening approaches,so slugs wont be to happy.In the vegetable garden this evening some more successional sowing needs doing.This time that will be done in row 7 with the root crops.To avoid a glut of lettuce and beetroot,then successional will do well unless enough has been done to suit,and that time will be given then for late summer sowings to enable them be stored over winter.The lawns need trimming and will be attacked later.The main lawn especially will be seen to first off.If all goes to plan i hope to be back for the garden between 4 and 5 this evening.Compost heap 3 will have a layer of grass added also this evening as will the bin at the top of the vegetable garden.Later tonight an hour or two will have to be spent in the tunnel.Did not make it there to long last night working with the vegetables but without fail later on.

Geraniums begin to flower.

Sunshine brings out the colour.

Some of the jobs for all the gardeners are finally getting into place.The long overdue weather has returned.Plans for the vegetable garden were changed because home late yesterday,and also missed most of the card game.Just in time for a chat as usual about the gardens with them.Just before 6 am this morning i watered in the usual places [tunnel and greenhouse] and spent an hour doing some missed outdoor work in the vegetable garden for yesterday evening.The area at the Salix section were given some time on some work with the Brassica beds for later in the year.Thanks to such good weather the vegetable beds are filling up as time moves on.The remainder of the plans will be on hold  until later on this evening.In the middle garden a trimming is due at the weekend.Weeds appear as the sun shines,so the hoe will be in top gear.Now that mornings are bright so early and nights getting longer,time will be spent in my favourite places,the main garden,along with the other two small gardens,the greenhouse,and the tunnel,with the vegetables areas especially.Long may it last,

Plans for later on this evening.

Broom in bloom.

With all going to plan i hope later this evening to do the final work with the winter sowings.Gathered up some more of the slug and snail enemies in that area.Some of the legume [Peas] need time spent with them.Weeding needs doing there and a check on all ties.The bottom gate needs painting but will have to wait until later in the week.Had a quick check just before departing the vegetable garden last night at the compost heaps.Later on i hope to spend some time with the middle compost heap.Needs a little shaking up and a touch of water,but cooking well.More Brassica [Turnips] from the greenhouse are ready for the outer world and they will be checked on.Some go out either this evening for a short while,but if not for sure tomorrow at some stage,be it early in the morning or later in the evening.

Picture of Broom in the front Garden.

In the vegetable garden this evening.

The start of the winter supply.

All eyes this evening were on the seed area for some starting of winter vegetable seeds.Some Broccoli,and Cabbage,for the year were started.Swedes were also put into place.In a vacant area there,i fitted in another sowing of this years Beetroot.That will be harvested in very late summer etc.The seed beds will have some more added tomorrow evening to make up the row.All work this evening happened in the lower garden area.Took a quick walk around the main vegetable garden and also through the tunnel to check on all.Weather reports good until Friday.Long may the sunshine last.

June in the vegetable garden.

Broccoli [Brassica oleracea] for 2010.

After a very wet night,which was no harm and badly needed by all the gardeners,this morning is now on the dry side.No worries about outdoor watering at least,but the tunnel and greenhouse have been checkd and had a little drink from just after 8 am.Some of the pots in the tunnel avoided,will need checking in rows twelve and fourteen especially.On the undercover potato section,in area two which is at the senescence stage,they almost have had the final tidy up job and stalks have been all checked.Soon they will start to fail through growing as flowers on most of them are over the stage for stopping growth.In the bottom garden tubs seven,eight and 10 are due for a final top up.Clay and compost [home made] etc had been added already.The number nine tub was worked on late last week for a short while,so that is almost complete.They will have the final job done on them later on this evening.Seeds of some more winter Cabbage[Brassica oleracea]Chinese cabbage [var pekinensis] and Swedes [Brassica napus] will be in this week for later in the year.Now we are in June and harvested Lettuce [Lactuca sativa]to name one of the fruits of all the hard work for vegetable growing then despite the bad winter been so unfavourable it could be worse.All areas are finally cleared of winter Brassicas.Salad crops such as Radish, lettuce will now be coming to what is known as a broken succession.Keep sowing them a little  every week now.I will sow more Turnips,Spinach,Peas, and Runner beans.The end is close for some of them.Eyes will be kept peeled as garden peste have decided to pay a small visit already,but nothing to what they will do in the real warm part of summer [we hope for sunshine] if allowed do so,when a larger tribe of them will have decided to attack.All tomatoes in the three areas have been tied in such a way that no stalks will be damaged as they develop.The top garden has been added two more members of the colour wheel,green and blue in mini crates for flower holders in front of the weather damaged hedge.Some pottaging [mix of flowers and vegetable.will be done there.       [Thank you Liga for the Brassica seeds]