May 2008 - Getting there... slowly

The month started off with weeding, weeding and yet more weeding! It really didn't take us long to realise the benefits of the black weed-stop sheeting - not only in keeping the soil warm but also in saving hours of back-breaking weeding.

5 May - 11 May 2008

Bank Holiday week and a week off work - yipee! And... the sun was out ALL week so it was a very productive time at the allotment.

● EXTREME weeding to remove mare's tail - we were keen to keep on top of it.

● we made a netted tunnel for salad leaves and will put a polytunnel next to it to grow melons and butternut squash

● carrots sown but will need to cover with fleece to deter the dreaded carrot fly. Also discovered a handy tip to plant some chives alongside as those pesky flies apparently don't like the smell of them.

● dug up another bed so we can plant up this year. We don't want to waste valuable growing space.

● the raspberries now have supports and wires to help them grow

● the paths have been strimmed and the whole plot is generally looking spick and span

● planted artichokes, asparagus, horseradish, garlic, parsley, chard (Bright Lights), peas, salad leaves and French beans (Ferrari, a dwarf variety).... mmmm I am getting hungry just writing this!

So our first planting plan was looking something like this(click to enlarge):


17 May 2008

The rains have arrived so this was a very quick visit to check on the recent planting frenzy! We managed to weed in between the showers and boy were we grateful for our little green shed! Shallots are coming along very nicely and there are signs of beetroot, fennel and leeks. Amazingly, the radishes are almost ready - they will be our very FIRST crops.

24 May 2008

We picked our first strawberries today! Very sweet although clearly our little feathered friends agree so we will have to invest in some netting (and maybe in the future even think about a fruit cage). Our fennel is starting to emerge but will need to be thinned out and respaced. Salad leaves have bolted (tut tut, not enough watering!)so we will have to plant some more. The blackfly on our broad beans is treatable with a good ol' spray and we will have to keep a close eye on them.