May 2012 Blog Posts (90)

Had to sow all my Carrots again today, all my previous April efforts failed not one germinated, can only think it was the extremely cold nights (and Days) have tried a trial row with the seed in a paper strip

When I predict rain at the end of March, I didn’t expect that it will last a month and 20 odd days into May. As it did, the vegetables are slow in growth. Then we had the one whole week of heat and sunshine. The first casualties are the Asian radishes and cabbages. They bolted immediately and I had to pull them all out this morning. All the sowing and watering wasted!

Broad beans and potatoes are doing quite well, the peas are suffering for the slugs keep munching them off. Cucumbers…

What is it called when you plant leeks - dibbing or dibbling - well whatever it is called that's what I have been doing this evening - planting my leeks - the last veggies to go in.  I had to pull up all the wallflowers to make space for them.  Shame really as they were still flowering well.  I have an old spade handle sharpened to a point that I use for dibbing - it is so quick and easy - dibble a hole, plonk leek plant in and fill up hole with water. Hey presto leeks planted.  Now all I…

And deer protection up!

Catherine from Ireland here, having seen and read Markus Cox's blog about how to beat the hosepipe ban and in a reply comment to a member here and informing us of a product that can reduce watering your plants and garden. Markus kindly offered members here a free sample of Alfieco GardenPlus. I applied for a sample and Markus sent it pronto , thanks Markus :)

At this early stage I am not yet promoting this…

http://greenvege-osaka.blogspot.jp/2012/05/growth-report.html

http://greenvege-osaka.blogspot.jp/2012/05/planting-sweet-potato-sprouts.html

Hiya folks!

Phew, it's SCORCHIO today! Mustn't grumble though, only last week I was whinging that it was too cold and wet to plant out, and now I still can't plant out as it is too hot during the day. Have to wait until evening me thinks. I have done a wee bit here and there though. A couple of days ago I planted out a few bits in a tub, Spinach, Chard and Calendula in this one:…

Dodgy looking slow worm action on the plot!

After a week of hot sunny weather and plenty to do in the garden I've finally found time for a blog update. Because the first few weeks of May were so dismal I had a stack of stuff in the greenhouse ready for planting out and more hardening off on top of the coal bunker.…

It's one of my favourite times of year at the allotment. It's time to throw my nets over the gooseberries bushes and cheer them on to harverst.  The risk of frost is finally over, the bushes seem in wonderful health and underneath their branches I can see their delicious mouth twisting fruit dangling like green tear drops.

Read more…

Just looked tonight at my lillies growing in a pot by my shed and saw 3 lilly beetles on it.

Havent seen them before.

Very bright.

Did the sun bring them out?

Has a good swear and disposed of them.

I can't do it - work outdoors when it's hot I mean - I retreat indoors and wait for it to cool off.  So instead I get up early  - this morning I dug over the pumpkin patch in readiness for the plants to go in this evening, and planted french beans and another row of peas.  I waited till it cooled off this evening and did the rounds, watering all my new plantings.  I emptied a whole dustbin of saved water - in some places the ground was cracking like a desert.  Talk about one extreme to the…

Yes I planted early and as some will know this is my first attempt so no surprises what happened.

http://ourtinygarden.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/charlottes-are-a-fail/

If anyone can offer advise for future reference I would appreciate it.

I have a day off work today and was a beauty it is. I sat in the garden and updated my site with some new pics and as usual some nooby questions as there are a few things I'm unsure of.

http://ourtinygarden.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/i-am-ironman/

So how is everyone else enjoying this gorgeous weather?

Back to work tomorrow - boooooooo!

Hi I was wondering if anyone had any ideas what is going on with my broccoli. I planted it into the ground as directed on the packet and there was no problems with germination. It then looked like there was some little broccoli florets forming at the top and now it is starting to flower. I don't understand what's going wrong. They've only been in the ground since mid March. Can anyone shed any light on what's going on? 

A long time ago - way back in the 70's - I used to sit in a stuffy old office shuffling paper about daydreaming that one day I would be able to be outside in the fresh air all day tending my garden and growing my own food.  Not being reliant on the supermarket to provide everything for my survival.  Then when I moved here and the opportunity came to buy a piece of land I jumped at it and started living the dream.  I may not have wealth and riches in the normal sense of the word, but I do…

Hi Elaine, my you are busy. i admire you. Gardening seems to take a lot of my time up. 

I do love it though!

Hurray, my strawberry seeds have taken!. i carefully potted them up today , even though they were tiny.

I counted 19 plus one or 2 too small to pot up yet.

My salad potatoes are showing through after only planting 1 week ago.

Wish my onions would hurry up.

Most things have taken. The sun really has helped in the last 2 days.

Have enjoyed myself and selfishly let the housework slip!!