tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47359413942719135152024-02-07T09:08:51.511+00:00Green MagicNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-41811182407980802362012-06-20T12:14:00.001+01:002012-06-20T12:14:23.626+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBSIpoQbcCp8kxE2w4Gg56DseXNjvMg1e6s7K8V4hLUw5zE29zhNq2csy_nAy5MktnzFN0oNlxJ5TvcxM_IlCOp_S3VnpII2TP-sMXCoaC_z1_hyphenhyphenxm302fXF6kbyI79KQH1eVDqNDqDDw/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBSIpoQbcCp8kxE2w4Gg56DseXNjvMg1e6s7K8V4hLUw5zE29zhNq2csy_nAy5MktnzFN0oNlxJ5TvcxM_IlCOp_S3VnpII2TP-sMXCoaC_z1_hyphenhyphenxm302fXF6kbyI79KQH1eVDqNDqDDw/s320/IMG_1532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ytxozrKWAjThcBmF89pj2kpz3ORMeIXptqLkyrLpr5Qff8t3VjZvz3AQMsLhIDdJELkl9vFj12E1Zi52I5dXJtL5xQEqCH2KpLGf94m-u631_NJH1WvCZgRpamK-Fqq1z7fl2OKWBNDn/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ytxozrKWAjThcBmF89pj2kpz3ORMeIXptqLkyrLpr5Qff8t3VjZvz3AQMsLhIDdJELkl9vFj12E1Zi52I5dXJtL5xQEqCH2KpLGf94m-u631_NJH1WvCZgRpamK-Fqq1z7fl2OKWBNDn/s320/IMG_1533.JPG" width="320" /></a>The reason for all this frantic marmalade making (below), redcurrant jellying (right) and, as soon as I can get round to it, bramble jellying and pumpkin chutney making is that we are intending to move house.<br />
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We've accepted an offer on our house and started an inexorable process of clearing out 26 years worth of junk from the loft and goodness knows how many years worth of fruit from 2 freezers.<br />
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As we haven't yet found anywhere to move <i>to</i> it looks likely that most of our stuff will have to be packed up and put into storage. I'm far too frugal (mean) to let my stored fruit go to waste so I'm suddenly terribly busy in the kitchen.<br />
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...and the garden. We're carting the wonderful home-made compost up the hill to the allotment, where the quality of compost is pretty iffy at best. (You put grass cuttings and sticks in and they come out again several years later looking very similar but with an added ants nest)<br />
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We live in exciting times!<br />
Happy gardening (if only I had time!)Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-31688364203461253342012-06-06T22:04:00.001+01:002012-06-06T22:04:42.484+01:00Animal antics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had an argument with this fox. He wanted to tear up the plastic sheeting on the next door allotment. I told him he was a naughty fox and he was to leave it alone. He grinned and lay down to wait for me to go home. <br />
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Earlier I had been digging over where the leeks had just been lifted. I dug, then raked the soil and a robin who had been watching me couldn't contain himself any longer and flew over, landed on the rake I was still holding and picked one of those ginger wiggly centipedey things from the tines of the rake!<br />
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Somehow I feel that these creatures have got the upper hand!<br />
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Happy gardening Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-29812309829875598702012-05-14T18:22:00.000+01:002012-05-14T18:22:18.223+01:00fat mouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you leave a load of fat balls in the shed and forget to put them into an airtight tin you get a very happy and over-fed mouse!<br />
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Happy gardeningNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-86036260921875762372012-02-26T17:34:00.000+00:002012-02-26T17:34:38.592+00:00Sitting in the sun.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I planted broadbean seeds today, straight into the soil. I usually sow seeds at home and then bring them to the allotment as young plants but this year our garden is in mid transformation so there's nowhere at all to put seedtrays. They should be ok, the ground wasn't too soggy and forked over quite nicely.<br />
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The surprisingly warm February sun had brought out lots of people, oh, and frogs. Our pond was busy with seasonal froggy business, but no spawn yet. The pond next door, however was completely tapioca'd over. I wonder what makes them choose a particular place? Strange beasts, frogs.<br />
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Roo and girlfriend Helen came up to check out the view, and stayed for a while to sit and enjoy the sun.<br />
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Unfortunately they sat on the bench!!<br />
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Oops!!<br />
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I think I should put a sign on it in case anybody else fall through it and sues me<br />
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Happy gardeningNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-1217645498736985432012-02-06T19:49:00.001+00:002012-02-06T19:49:23.567+00:00Another year, another post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rainbow with dark clouds a few weeks ago while I was<br />
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Beautiful ice circles placed in the dead plum tree. Made me want to make fused glass pieces to hang here as a more permanent feature.<br />
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Happy new year and happy gardening <br />
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<br />Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-23915918690860593032011-10-30T17:32:00.000+00:002011-10-30T17:32:14.745+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ten past five and it's dark. The clocks changed last night so winter's really on it's way but this morning our little bunch of allotment gardeners were basking in the warmth of another lovely Sunday. Tee shirt weather. </div>
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I collected these squashes last time we were up there. I forgot to take the camera again today so you'll just have to imagine photos of us clearing away the runner bean canes, harvesting the last of the sweetcorn and placing the badger proof cage over some brassicas. I don't think the brassicas are in any danger from badgers, whitefly are more of a problem, but it had to go somewhere, so that's where it went.</div>
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That's probably it till next weekend though. The days can be wonderful but oh dear, the nights are so long.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Happy gardening </span><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"></span><br />
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<br />Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-42709075669577267712011-10-03T19:38:00.005+01:002011-10-03T20:38:42.000+01:00Successes and also ransAn amazing weekend of record-breaking temperatures and lots and LOTS of clearing up after a very mixed summer.<br /><br />I've decided I'll just make a list of what went well and what didn't do so well this year and number one on the list has got to be this poor old blog. I don't know what's happened really, inertia maybe. I keep forgetting to take the camera with me and I seem to be spending quality blogging time on facebook these days!<br /><br />So....a strange growing season weatherwise, but good results from:<br />climbing french beans - Blue Lake<br />onions - Red Baron and Stuttgarter<br />garlic - from previous season<br />potatoes - Charlottes<br />broad beans - Meteor and Bunyard's Exhibition<br />lettuce - Lollo Rosso and Little Gem<br />runner beans - Scarlet Emporer<br />apples - the big tree (unknown) and James Grieve<br />raspberries - Autumn Bliss<br />strawberries - unknown (I got them all muddled up when I moved them)<br />spring onions<br />radishes<br />artichokes<br />rocket - self seeded (all over the place)<br />rhubarb<br />beetroot<br />Squash - Crown Prince and Pattie Pan<br />spinach beet<br />oops, forgot the leeks. Bit small but loads of them and they went on for ages.<br /><br /><br />Also rans:<br />giant pumpkin (only one)<br />carrots - they may be ok but they'll be very small<br />lettuce - Webbs<br />pak choi<br />butternut squash<br />courgettes - really, really rubbish this year<br />tomatoes - gardener's delight and moneymaker (hit by blight just before they ripened)<br /><br />The windowsill yield was small but tasty, a few peppers (black and white, weird colours for peppers) three cucumbers from one plant and some very long, thin aubergines. Oh, and a couple more tomato plants, very leggy but not very productive.<br /><br />Still in the ground at time of going to press:<br />a selection of brassicas, sprouts, purple broccoli, Greyhound cabbage, Romanescu broccoli<br />parsnips - Tender and True<br />celery<br />this year's leeks (planted out today)<br /><br />So...overall it looks like the successes won. Sometimes you need to write things down to see the whole picture and it's not as gloomy as I'd thought. I'm glad. The distinct periods of cold and wet and hot and dry certainly took their toll, but not on all of our produce. Some even benefited.<br /><br />And it's been great being there, up on the hill in all weathers, digging, weeding, chopping the grass and picking the crops. I've enjoyed it. It gives me great contentment<br /><br />Happy gardening. ( I bet I left something off my list)Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-20168273759172352022011-08-20T21:53:00.003+01:002011-08-20T22:11:18.845+01:00Pattie pan squashes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc559b5TMOAqiImryjTsbAKeT8wHw0cR8h2fbcVwUAyOsaV0qHHy4dE1FrsDYEjZ3SWphPoi6pLLPnkHkifly8WjkDNd81clcmaxgymIB_W-scP7oTtzTnAkVHOIDHEYCBhWRAtjmLA6Yz/s1600/IMG_1000_1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc559b5TMOAqiImryjTsbAKeT8wHw0cR8h2fbcVwUAyOsaV0qHHy4dE1FrsDYEjZ3SWphPoi6pLLPnkHkifly8WjkDNd81clcmaxgymIB_W-scP7oTtzTnAkVHOIDHEYCBhWRAtjmLA6Yz/s320/IMG_1000_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643044395036726242" border="0" /></a>These little squashes are in a basket in the kitchen at the moment because I haven't looked up what I should do with them yet. They seem more pumpkin-like than courgette-like, but I think I should read some recipes.
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<br />I bought a few interesting looking squashes as plantlets and this one has been very successful, lots of little pattie pans are forming, all very jolly and yellow.
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<br />Cute.
<br />Happy gardening
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<br />Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-35310331641707741362011-07-04T20:58:00.003+01:002011-07-04T21:10:24.244+01:00Potato harvest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhq5syPP4CFu9R9rKQ45Zj_l_cUCK0vj_7BHasnVyuPmhwKcGaYQHR2cGjthTPnBQ_hsaNg7Qe8Ov2AJxgJOLY1wpOaenjbXffBzAII8bnxdxAn5RnfeFA5Ua26YsIXtYTq9Grn3Y5fTM/s1600/IMG_0759_1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhq5syPP4CFu9R9rKQ45Zj_l_cUCK0vj_7BHasnVyuPmhwKcGaYQHR2cGjthTPnBQ_hsaNg7Qe8Ov2AJxgJOLY1wpOaenjbXffBzAII8bnxdxAn5RnfeFA5Ua26YsIXtYTq9Grn3Y5fTM/s320/IMG_0759_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625589211441034978" border="0" /></a><br />The spuds are lovely this year. I only did Charlottes, and of course they're all ready at once, but yesterday I dug up the first few plants and brought them home to sort into "eat immediately" and "store in a sack for later" My habit of discovering them by sticking a fork right through them leads to quite a pile of "eat immediatelys".<br /><br />I've filled the space already with a wigwam of mangetouts. If I can get two crops from most of my beds then I feel I've done ok.<br /><br />Dinner last night was mostly home-grown, the first time this year I think. Delicious new potatoes with mint, broad beans and spinach. I can't claim to have grown the duck though!<br /><br />Happy gardening (whatever you grow)Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-11816097801297807592011-06-20T16:29:00.002+01:002011-06-20T16:35:49.598+01:00Connected<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhwpJoTTkwM3b143me3g22jraPdu762blwUYh_O2r3c63Vw5-2RHrkvHyLkKsfWZT1x64qddyXPvC8x-KjIDdLaMo95_obNwULR3jD0eSEdg8NWIKxWkcD4us4oMYS_7kS1w6xflAFBEU/s1600/IMG_0695_1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhwpJoTTkwM3b143me3g22jraPdu762blwUYh_O2r3c63Vw5-2RHrkvHyLkKsfWZT1x64qddyXPvC8x-KjIDdLaMo95_obNwULR3jD0eSEdg8NWIKxWkcD4us4oMYS_7kS1w6xflAFBEU/s320/IMG_0695_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620324680898238658" border="0" /></a>Sad, isn't it? Here I am, crammed into the shed in the rain checking my email!<br /><br />Oh the joys of a smartphone!<br /><br />I used to be quite contented with a cup of tea and a spider for company before I became connected to the other sort of web.<br /><br />happy gardening (and surfing in the shed)Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-51638527527198304382011-06-14T19:39:00.002+01:002011-06-14T19:43:19.086+01:00Anteaters?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys2H2nl_WUHIClpZJAIIYxqEqqW1wSdnxcCujR3QrVuv7HXvtqAY6h2fXdYV9PLfFdjTNQ9vCfCO_QW6wS4XZHVt6C-Fl8StrPcdnA6njIyyDt6nuovOoqJHNhAKJPEx6574Uv0l8PYi8/s1600/anteater_1_lg.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys2H2nl_WUHIClpZJAIIYxqEqqW1wSdnxcCujR3QrVuv7HXvtqAY6h2fXdYV9PLfFdjTNQ9vCfCO_QW6wS4XZHVt6C-Fl8StrPcdnA6njIyyDt6nuovOoqJHNhAKJPEx6574Uv0l8PYi8/s320/anteater_1_lg.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618147255194308482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu57mwOECuu1JFzMCz_4_1KfVC9LCa8TQNCvs136CTksPS6bqSANdC-mpX7vI1H_iQySXw3SQiD1OtcwoxO-ps9dtYn7F4s5XodJWXUhzx8uxU9egqwft1PQz-jnRcZjMUZbDQV_P26cAu/s1600/IMG_0687_1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu57mwOECuu1JFzMCz_4_1KfVC9LCa8TQNCvs136CTksPS6bqSANdC-mpX7vI1H_iQySXw3SQiD1OtcwoxO-ps9dtYn7F4s5XodJWXUhzx8uxU9egqwft1PQz-jnRcZjMUZbDQV_P26cAu/s320/IMG_0687_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618147111765708050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Unlikely, but there <span style="font-style: italic;">was </span>an ant's nest at the bottom of the hole!<br />Happy gardening!Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-74926767904770850262011-06-08T20:09:00.003+01:002011-06-08T20:23:02.298+01:00Too windy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7ZJh41lo4O7teDiWCmcbmgXDAkoN9mOoE3TwjbZ3j8bJudlvlvw2BM59hbEHewG07AEQqjh_IPWCEwRyePLkDsut4YT_WLZthyphenhyphenPKd7RiOPV4WeR9RsjcT4Gxl2lDIhfmBtFLmXOF0omt/s1600/IMG_0684_3_1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7ZJh41lo4O7teDiWCmcbmgXDAkoN9mOoE3TwjbZ3j8bJudlvlvw2BM59hbEHewG07AEQqjh_IPWCEwRyePLkDsut4YT_WLZthyphenhyphenPKd7RiOPV4WeR9RsjcT4Gxl2lDIhfmBtFLmXOF0omt/s320/IMG_0684_3_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615928447414602802" border="0" /></a><br />We've been away. We came back yesterday and went to have a look and see what's to be done. Lots!<br /><br />So....today I cut the grassy edges and did a bit of weeding. I planted out the sweetcorn too. Some strawberries were ready and lots of rocket too. But mostly, the new plants are getting on with their business of growing...slowly, because of the lack of rain. Oh, and the WIND. It's been windy since before the 1st of May! The runner beans, french beans and courgettes are all suffering from wind scorch. The leaves discolour, the plant fails to thrive unless sheltered in one of the many plastic bottle cloches we've used this year. The little brassicas in the photo are ok but mostly, everything this year is struggling on our exposed hillside. I do wish it would calm down and let my plants grow!<br /><br />Happy gardening (and hope the wind drops)Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-36937722880179721412011-04-30T21:41:00.002+01:002011-04-30T21:47:13.363+01:00Weed of the month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoG-JzGf_EXtqx8xvQ59I4KBowXA8UH87F-binH9POUyMH2dNCl9LGdK-xIIlG6cV6TIK2zn7EFTOUqar4vibmwPwCkC2gc609aTogjLAOBFUvr3fgCvjtsphuhlLrgsIx0BvSUa-zLX8/s1600/IMG_0574_1_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoG-JzGf_EXtqx8xvQ59I4KBowXA8UH87F-binH9POUyMH2dNCl9LGdK-xIIlG6cV6TIK2zn7EFTOUqar4vibmwPwCkC2gc609aTogjLAOBFUvr3fgCvjtsphuhlLrgsIx0BvSUa-zLX8/s320/IMG_0574_1_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601479680669331970" border="0" /></a><br />Forget-me-nots. All over the place. I'd have hauled them out weeks ago but I read somewhere that they're very attractive to honeybees so I've given them a reprieve.<br /><br />Only for a little bit longer. Watch out little blue weeds - your days are numbered!<br /><br />Happy gardeningNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-55412630976053229402011-04-25T20:14:00.004+01:002011-04-25T20:30:30.944+01:00The compost fairy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYBZg9EZHaJYMEu9iQut4UhMkjnGZmAKIz-ZlYiQz9PqWeJ88LNHFs88H-_UjRljBmnRTQ3FP8QomrpZjFyFgZ80rpNL8ZHChf9S6jux0Vuf8ZTqRWCns4cYotcfVSm36KUHj0h6NHe5H/s1600/IMG_0551_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYBZg9EZHaJYMEu9iQut4UhMkjnGZmAKIz-ZlYiQz9PqWeJ88LNHFs88H-_UjRljBmnRTQ3FP8QomrpZjFyFgZ80rpNL8ZHChf9S6jux0Vuf8ZTqRWCns4cYotcfVSm36KUHj0h6NHe5H/s320/IMG_0551_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599604261844190098" border="0" /></a><br />Well, so much for sowing seed! Of the seeds sown last time I posted, only three tiny parsnip seedlings have appeared and I don't know what happened to the rest. So I've sown some more, just parsnips this time and I also added a row of beetroot next to the potatoes. Over the last week or so I've been planting out pak choi, spinach beet and lettuce seedlings, but the big job has been watering (an hour and a half each time I go) and there's still no sign of rain!<br /><br />The big thrill this post is that the compost fairy (burly bloke called Joe) has been, so I've now got plenty of good organic matter to dig in or spread over my plot. Just in time to enrich the bed I'm getting ready for the cane beans. Excellent timing.<br /><br />Happy gardeningNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-80198986301222127332011-04-11T09:49:00.004+01:002011-04-11T10:09:36.589+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eKFDDaSGrq3miUbc5SOeSXqhkS914xfE4SMy8SABckq_tcFz-ef7duOfUHCg-mQpd5oa7iEnE6-LYJV5nKLBQP8FaNvJ44MA78pgKp5a7I7oBdCTQqfx7y__YqCPxXW0oZMNYvGDoiq6/s1600/IMG_0432_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eKFDDaSGrq3miUbc5SOeSXqhkS914xfE4SMy8SABckq_tcFz-ef7duOfUHCg-mQpd5oa7iEnE6-LYJV5nKLBQP8FaNvJ44MA78pgKp5a7I7oBdCTQqfx7y__YqCPxXW0oZMNYvGDoiq6/s320/IMG_0432_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594245647381876242" border="0" /></a><br />J admiring Sandy and Roger's plot next door.<br /><br />Our own plot is now strimmed (thanks J) and dug over (that was me) and is looking nice and tidy but a bit empty. The garlic, broad beans and onions are coming up. The potatoes are yet to appear but the rest of the beds that aren't given over to permanent planting are waiting for their new occupants. I've sown some seed, carrots, parsnips and spring onions but they haven't appeared either and I think they may have dried out during the very hot week we've just had. So.......<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.........I've been popping seeds into pots at home like a crazy obsessed thing. I didn't even stop when I ran out of windowsill (there's more under the piano)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRNUblUl_4oYzVfxYaPqn91DSFFevSZsHncFAqTuCtK9PmFWe5zA2ygElPu7nk-jG-9hTkaJIHUG9tJ3YPQCiGFeK-UsphORB0aPchV224a7OXxbhXZdYETWZH8DpBSpVSAPlrrgrt1lF/s1600/IMG_0441_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRNUblUl_4oYzVfxYaPqn91DSFFevSZsHncFAqTuCtK9PmFWe5zA2ygElPu7nk-jG-9hTkaJIHUG9tJ3YPQCiGFeK-UsphORB0aPchV224a7OXxbhXZdYETWZH8DpBSpVSAPlrrgrt1lF/s320/IMG_0441_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594247578836177138" border="0" /></a> I can't wait till they're big and strong enough to plant them out. Let's hope there's going to be enough room for them all!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Happy gardening (exciting, isn't it?)Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-13903204009184505732011-04-07T21:13:00.003+01:002011-04-07T21:28:44.833+01:00Rhubarb rhubarb<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwfe7zTNERwXgjhoFSSVOifiEAUvvwOCKFHH8W3TXT59Y4ox1194YlA6EyQTwIT6tuEL_wuGUDD_EPf6ehe5tJHPTZ5dxXCT3wbwHeQidht_iuh_kXDuYg0LdAuwUe2iBEZoHzaavijpi/s1600/IMG_0412_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwfe7zTNERwXgjhoFSSVOifiEAUvvwOCKFHH8W3TXT59Y4ox1194YlA6EyQTwIT6tuEL_wuGUDD_EPf6ehe5tJHPTZ5dxXCT3wbwHeQidht_iuh_kXDuYg0LdAuwUe2iBEZoHzaavijpi/s320/IMG_0412_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592937459219412066" border="0" /></a><br />This week, I've been mostly eating leeks and rhubarb. Actually some of the rhubarb's still sitting in the fridge waiting for me to do something with it. The leeks are good though.<br /><br />Both my rhubarb plants were flowering but I cut the strange, knobbly flowers off because I'm told they waste valuable stalk producing energy. Probably a good thing, but I often don't really know what to do with my rhubarb. This week I bundled up a little pile of stalks and took them into work. Somebody there knows what to do with them. They disappeared anyway!<br /><br />Happy gardening. Enjoy your rhubarb.Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-46787361751977559642011-03-27T21:58:00.003+01:002011-03-27T22:24:43.318+01:00Early drought<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhXuqZX7SKM80q_v5nuPIJduXGn7lIk3p2hN2avPgHpPH_mW94tHQuuUdNBklBMgigJjIMahKewXtYXs5HnaKRYC_Wq6CxX0Ruqi8ub1_zraf5UsqES_a67lSD_C1P_9aq8biI0X7hCFs/s1600/IMG_0380_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhXuqZX7SKM80q_v5nuPIJduXGn7lIk3p2hN2avPgHpPH_mW94tHQuuUdNBklBMgigJjIMahKewXtYXs5HnaKRYC_Wq6CxX0Ruqi8ub1_zraf5UsqES_a67lSD_C1P_9aq8biI0X7hCFs/s320/IMG_0380_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588867196391024722" border="0" /></a><br />It's been another lovely day but already the dry weather is adding the extra job of watering to all the other work we do at this time of year.<br /><br />During the last couple of weeks I've put in some Charlotte potatoes, the rest of the broadbeans (Bunyards Exhibition) and sown a couple of rows of parsnips and carrots but the ground is now so dry that I need to go and water every couple of days. It is <span style="font-style: italic;">really, really</span> early in the year for all this watering. An effect of climate change maybe? Or just weather, which as we all know, can be unpredictable.<br /><br />Whatever the reason, I can't just leave my newly emerged plants or germinating seeds to dry out!<br /><br />Happy gardening (and watering)Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-33109440292470066492011-03-13T20:19:00.004+00:002011-03-13T20:37:40.721+00:00No excuses<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBCAmeDeD0nPoX3cVZKu9JITZ_-1D5QAIETCnHVVpLbuqDc_Fau4eSVCZ1v3zQE2ObNrHEMBjtTWvpglZlnFKDwfSoAByg7e3ADGDlmQVRueutCzBlbImbjqR9pqKxPG1VLXKCT7SLyNF/s1600/IMG_0300_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBCAmeDeD0nPoX3cVZKu9JITZ_-1D5QAIETCnHVVpLbuqDc_Fau4eSVCZ1v3zQE2ObNrHEMBjtTWvpglZlnFKDwfSoAByg7e3ADGDlmQVRueutCzBlbImbjqR9pqKxPG1VLXKCT7SLyNF/s320/IMG_0300_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583665232042204754" border="0" /></a><br />Really, no excuses. It's spring. I've had the week off work to get the allotment started for the year and it's been great. There's been real warmth in the sun and the soil's turned over nicely. And I <span style="font-style: italic;">feel</span> great too, aching obviously, but <span style="font-style: italic;">purposeful.</span> Invigorated.<br /><br /><br />At the start of the week I did a lot of digging and forking through the great c<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF_4KdL6PZ5PBQJk0D65ZnNKO8BO51WolSl1eNBIWdtiDoRyEsEir6LI-lbQdE4BLcVJhGDNRV8LVrbiNCDkUABXRSd2ZcqrP9p8UVvMt4ZzhlGJFyW0KpJdBd3g9UBbp09JqPUeCZa_w/s1600/frog_1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF_4KdL6PZ5PBQJk0D65ZnNKO8BO51WolSl1eNBIWdtiDoRyEsEir6LI-lbQdE4BLcVJhGDNRV8LVrbiNCDkUABXRSd2ZcqrP9p8UVvMt4ZzhlGJFyW0KpJdBd3g9UBbp09JqPUeCZa_w/s320/frog_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583665461953802274" border="0" /></a>lods left by winter, hoiked out all the weeds that had taken over and started a tiny bit of planting. So far, only broad beans (Meteor) and red and white onions (Red Baron and Stuttgarter) But most of the groundwork is done, my potatoes are chitting and there's another packet of broad beans ready to go in the moment I get time. Oh, and today (this is the icing on the cake) we have frogspawn in the pond!<br /><br /><br />I wish I had another week off next week!<br />Happy gardeningNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-38336212933176727472011-01-30T19:53:00.002+00:002011-01-30T20:18:06.678+00:00Ice Ice baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAOjnz7DDGMD6WeEy7e0eNKv3xROmMCGBs6VWebseXk3KitrJax5g9-8ez-fqGLZN0hzt5Z756x0P9fpMFFaO_JwMtaqWd_dIt9RIkJeCteexH6UBAs3zbqHQlRnKWAtmzAh3QobdmOv5/s1600/IMG_5543.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAOjnz7DDGMD6WeEy7e0eNKv3xROmMCGBs6VWebseXk3KitrJax5g9-8ez-fqGLZN0hzt5Z756x0P9fpMFFaO_JwMtaqWd_dIt9RIkJeCteexH6UBAs3zbqHQlRnKWAtmzAh3QobdmOv5/s320/IMG_5543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568069878527601634" border="0" /></a><br />This little iceberg was on the water tank this afternoon. It was a glorious day, cold but sunny and the first time I've ventured up the hill for ages.<br /><br />I kept warm by digging up leeks and sprouts and then clearing some weeds.<br /><br />My neighbour was planting asparagus! Very exciting. There are a couple of asparagus beds already on our allotments but I don't think it would work terribly well in my rather clayey soil. I'll stick to the leeks and sprouts for now. Maybe next year.<br /><br />I returned home to a house that's as icy cold as the allotment. The wretched boiler hasn't worked today so apart from one room that we've managed to warm up with a fan heater, I might as well be spending the evening in the shed!<br /><br /> Happy gardening. Brrr.Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-35730353194251980272010-12-06T19:53:00.004+00:002010-12-06T20:21:15.852+00:00Freezing fog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoXaYW29avbHXbBaYIrILa1pzAKY5Kji8hin9beF-sUmF5xxTTMmmXVbDfAGJXofzzX_iMqs3Q-09xwY0jUCdw0CDmSSF0YpVTjl_szl_URvO27Och2caEWJscXvLEtGSRiasT2ZPJyEg/s1600/IMG_5401_1.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoXaYW29avbHXbBaYIrILa1pzAKY5Kji8hin9beF-sUmF5xxTTMmmXVbDfAGJXofzzX_iMqs3Q-09xwY0jUCdw0CDmSSF0YpVTjl_szl_URvO27Och2caEWJscXvLEtGSRiasT2ZPJyEg/s320/IMG_5401_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547660111037842434" border="0" /></a><br />Sunday morning. Freezing fog hung over the city and wrapped the allotment in a cold, wet blanket. Sounds were either muffled or strangely amplified. I went for a walk and spent some time listening to snorty gruntings from some bushes near the compost loo but didn't see what was making them. Whatever was making them was probably complaining about the cold!<br /><br />The parsley was completely frozen so I harvested it and put it straight into the freezer when I got home. Herbs freeze well and seem to taste exactly the same as fresh. I've never found dried herbs to be as effective.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeXBNjh1XB_RVs8JcjsaeEK5L0t4oGgtl81tS2WynMkyM5XwhujnZLp8-BMUhI9F7vwXn8U9Am5ngy1uebX8nnUqPZMCoJHK0VjvLVAsANX8voJmzeGir7_lZMyU6b020uZxr1_wZT-ce/s1600/IMG_5398_1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeXBNjh1XB_RVs8JcjsaeEK5L0t4oGgtl81tS2WynMkyM5XwhujnZLp8-BMUhI9F7vwXn8U9Am5ngy1uebX8nnUqPZMCoJHK0VjvLVAsANX8voJmzeGir7_lZMyU6b020uZxr1_wZT-ce/s320/IMG_5398_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547664472812849682" border="0" /></a><br />I also took home a nice big stalk of sprouts but gave up on taking any leeks. I would have dug up a few if they hadn't been frozen solidly into their beds.<br /><br />I have yet to put in my garlic. It's getting quite late in the year for planting it but so far, it's been too wet, too dry or too frozen every time I've been free. Or too dark, most of the time when I'm not too busy, it's dark! Next weekend maybe.<br /><br />Keep warm!<br />Happy gardeningNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-3467771727150995992010-11-17T15:52:00.004+00:002010-11-17T16:06:38.775+00:00Pumpkin and tomato chutney<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwsaBA-SsNBjcwZ_eeNh2_x1RPNaYqWPbB4mTKcIZg5x5agFkFqYCPeXSyBm8ckW9ZJUjsGQB878YANaZoe0TNJ-V6XHXRm7LE6aMtkgKK73064gfCrlTywzMRbJFsy-YHq88olHz35if/s1600/IMG_5394_3_1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540547541817485234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwsaBA-SsNBjcwZ_eeNh2_x1RPNaYqWPbB4mTKcIZg5x5agFkFqYCPeXSyBm8ckW9ZJUjsGQB878YANaZoe0TNJ-V6XHXRm7LE6aMtkgKK73064gfCrlTywzMRbJFsy-YHq88olHz35if/s320/IMG_5394_3_1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 193px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 308px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YrBMwaDk4RiGhZqVK3_rA14t4JVQ2yj6QfdJvEODRtYJ_7fFliuyPSvv8zbD8dgHP-sSg9NFiZzxHulw60v2lmZJ7JlXGR6IAH8PjmbNpR8yUFZjD_Nx6c7T3JwB7GX_2lS7ZBBeXXgn/s1600/cook_1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540547349988569570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YrBMwaDk4RiGhZqVK3_rA14t4JVQ2yj6QfdJvEODRtYJ_7fFliuyPSvv8zbD8dgHP-sSg9NFiZzxHulw60v2lmZJ7JlXGR6IAH8PjmbNpR8yUFZjD_Nx6c7T3JwB7GX_2lS7ZBBeXXgn/s320/cook_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 283px;" /></a><br />
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Today I've been mostly making pumpkin chutney!<br />
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It's looking dark and sticky now and almost ready to ladle into the jars. The kitchen windows are obscured by steam, but hey, it's starting to get dark outside anyway. It's been a foul, cold, wet day. Making jams and chutneys is a very good way of keeping the kitchen warm on a day like this!<br />
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Happy gardening and preservingNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-11753019430162414672010-10-11T17:23:00.000+01:002010-10-11T17:23:12.107+01:00Marigolds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOeiYmejxoUKbn_G5N3zGd_nijogAYbg0kbj6USctlF4DmwdAY90fsUAhuZ0UZPLw8BkcucTPcmmlsdJiikvBrslhz3Zq__Jt_XqmH8Ahbvzq3-xqx7rtectnwb2CWs2lC87YhVgGU2R-/s1600/IMG_5385_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOeiYmejxoUKbn_G5N3zGd_nijogAYbg0kbj6USctlF4DmwdAY90fsUAhuZ0UZPLw8BkcucTPcmmlsdJiikvBrslhz3Zq__Jt_XqmH8Ahbvzq3-xqx7rtectnwb2CWs2lC87YhVgGU2R-/s320/IMG_5385_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I couldn't resist this gorgeous marigold. There's a big patch of them now, all growing where they weren't supposed to be growing, but so wonderfully bright and cheerful that I'm letting them stay there.<br />
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I've been away for a few days so didn't make it to the allotment this weekend. Now that the days are shorter, I don't get there during the week unless I'm really lucky. If I miss a weekend it can be ages between visits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOjVyzwCSf4z2AVZUG_53BiLpj8T6lWjAJCBf2GG2Wia-w-fJbv87V6d4jjyj-VXoFKfxGD2HpHd55SVipbUj7LMX09loU6nQZHWz40THafb-DDG0Z6cBTaJ04QSTJMdjzG3pLA9mb6Ul/s1600/IMG_5388_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOjVyzwCSf4z2AVZUG_53BiLpj8T6lWjAJCBf2GG2Wia-w-fJbv87V6d4jjyj-VXoFKfxGD2HpHd55SVipbUj7LMX09loU6nQZHWz40THafb-DDG0Z6cBTaJ04QSTJMdjzG3pLA9mb6Ul/s320/IMG_5388_1.JPG" width="240" /></a>There's not very much to pick at the moment, just a bit of black kale, some over-sized runners and the autumn raspberries. I could have picked some spinach as well but ran out of time.<br />
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Some of the marigolds came home with me though and look very lovely next to the laptop as I write this!<br />
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Happy gardening (when you get the chance)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-13451823066674529952010-09-24T21:29:00.000+01:002010-09-24T21:29:28.476+01:00Trolley dollyThis is a bit of an experiment.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW7t2oBqLDNJE-BVMtHshOqZ5TjmmPscQ8dKYo87m41E9QqPFCGS0l0bq-vUBVNT4Zm2_JEdRLqEyHBFVTt0iKtNB9fYKr8Xi3t7EADWO4VvTGEzhTBWLFrlBBCJ1rImZn4wr3uhmbYYe/s1600/IMG_5053.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW7t2oBqLDNJE-BVMtHshOqZ5TjmmPscQ8dKYo87m41E9QqPFCGS0l0bq-vUBVNT4Zm2_JEdRLqEyHBFVTt0iKtNB9fYKr8Xi3t7EADWO4VvTGEzhTBWLFrlBBCJ1rImZn4wr3uhmbYYe/s320/IMG_5053.JPG" border="0" /></a> The photo, not the trolley/food waste bin combo. I'm trying to upload a pic directly from Picasa, which I haven't done before and it seems to want me to write my post in Picasa as well. All very well but I can see that it's using Blogger's old format so it probably won't look the way I want it. The trolley/food waste bin pic is because this weekend is probably the last trip I shall make with this particular encumbrance before next spring! (Hurray) In the winter all the compostable waste goes into the compost bin in the garden while the stuff in the allotment bins rots down ready to dig into the ground in the springtime.<br /><br />In the meantime, I haven't added any new waste to the bin at home for months so the contents should be ready to use soon. That's the theory anyway. In practice, I think there's a rat or two holed up inside the bin so it may be difficult to poke around inside to see if it's useable. My cat, Quincy, has been spending a lot of his time sitting staring at the base of the bin, looking hopeful. He's not very brave though so I think any rats are pretty safe.<br /><br />Anyway, I shan't miss lugging the trolley up the hill, particularly the last bit where the bumpy path tries to tip the trolley over. I certainly shan't miss emptying the stinky mess into the daleks, and having to sloosh out the brown bin to clean all the stuck on peelings and bits of eggshell off before I take it home again.<br /><br />Happy gardening (hope you've bin composting too)<br />Oh and I just want to say that compost is always better if there's lots of shredded loo roll insides and egg box along with the veggie peelings.<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-50469754879276266062010-09-13T19:51:00.000+01:002010-09-13T19:51:45.605+01:00Goodbye to the plum tree<b>RIP Marjorie's Seedling </b><br />
<b>Planted spring 2006 died summer 2010</b><br />
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I don't know why it happened. It's been failing for months and we've tried to save it but now it really is too late. I've had several diagnoses from people who are very clued up about arboriculture but whichever of them is right still won't be able to bring life back into my dead tree. I don't think I've maltreated it, in fact I've tended it with more care than many other plants on my allotment. The only thing I can think of is that one time I sprayed it with non-organic bug spray but <i>surely</i> that can't be enough to kill a tree? I mean, don't people use non-organic stuff all the time anyway? There's enough of it in the garden shop that we use. They wouldn't sell it if people didn't buy it.<br />
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Apart from the starkness of the plum's shrivelled leaves, the allotment is looking good, J's strimmed and I've weeded and tidied, and the last of the summer vegetables are still quietly producing. But when I stop working and look around I get a melancholy feeling that isn't just due to the change of season.<br />
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Not quite so happy gardening this time folks.Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735941394271913515.post-64790154701666175972010-08-11T11:22:00.001+01:002010-08-11T17:04:36.905+01:00Thankyou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOrRZmYI1LhRzegB3__eV4xo2IDV_szSIqjbl4p2WYzAXznfkOWnrsx6wuRpT0J-8vMP9WGKTcv5sN8McJBbSd5MsirkFR2cQc16__DQVTcHEnnlEAVQoD3kacFD8sm_1fviH8dMpfQht/s1600/IMG_5162_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOrRZmYI1LhRzegB3__eV4xo2IDV_szSIqjbl4p2WYzAXznfkOWnrsx6wuRpT0J-8vMP9WGKTcv5sN8McJBbSd5MsirkFR2cQc16__DQVTcHEnnlEAVQoD3kacFD8sm_1fviH8dMpfQht/s320/IMG_5162_1.JPG" /></a></div>By the time you read this, I'll have abandoned redcurrants in favour of blackberries. The bramble jelly-making has begun!<br />
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Two things. Firstly, thank you so much to all of you who actually read this blog. I only ever expected it to be read by my Mum (who now doesn't have a computer) and my two best friends from way, way back who don't live near me anymore. It's lovely to find comments from real people out there in internetland who share similar interests. I look at your blogs too and I'm always chastened by pictures of your wonderful allotments and gardens, and all the lovely produce you show. I'm particularly gutted by all the fantastic recipes and photographs of food that appear. It just doesn't happen like that in my kitchen, I have a strong tendency to eat my dinner as soon as I've cooked it - it doesn't hang around long enough to have its picture taken!<br />
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The other (earth shattering) thing of note in this posting is that I just <i>have</i> to tell you about the sheer pleasure of finding the right sheet of wrapping paper to cut into circles for jam-pot covers. Just look at this lot! <i>Very</i> Kath Kidson! It wasn't actually, just some nice paper from a local shop, but it's very like her brand. The lovely sweet peas aren't mine, they were given to me by Caroline who says she's been picking a bunch like this every day for a couple of weeks! Wow! Impressive.<br />
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If there's time today I shall pick four more lbs of blackberries to drip for the next batch of jelly. Lovely stuff, but the down side is that the kitchen is taken over by an upturned chair with a dripping jellybag attached to it by a Heath Robinson contraption of wires (made by the ever-inventive J) and it's such a <i>slow</i> process and each time, produces such a tiny amount of jelly! Is it worth it? Well, probably. I can't seem to stop doing it, anyway!<br />
Happy gardening and jelly-makingNickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00052217481971670174noreply@blogger.com1