Fathers’ Day 2023

A very hot Saturday meant that I didn’t go to the plot in the middle of the day.  Eldest and I stopped by as we were going past after a meet-up in the village.  I watered most of the beds while she harvested all the Meteor Peas and the first lot of Perpetual Spinach.  It soon got far too warm to continue so we cycled home.

Later that evening, we returned so she could play with a friend and I could plant out the Climbing French Beans, Runner Beans and Dwarf Borlotti Beans.  I cleared the Peas so they could be replaced by the Borlotti and I erected a frame with borrowed bamboo and netting for the tall beans.  I had to move the Pumpkin plant so cleared the Onions from the top end of Bed 4 (transplanting around 5 tiny Onion plants) into Bed 8.

Sunday was focused on ferrying loved ones with the hope of some rain in the afternoon.  Before the ferrying, I did get to the plot for some speed harvesting (of Lettuce and the first Broad Beans) and planting (of 10 of the 20 Bulb Fennel seedlings).  To fit the Bulb Fennel in, I lifted the Spinach which was going to seed though I managed to harvest a tray of leaves.  

Pleasingly, the Pumpkin plant was looking good.

And one of the few Kohl Rabi looks happy…

While there, I cut back the Comfrey plant in Bed 6 as it is clearly shading and encroaching on the Sweetcorn, judging by the difference in growth in the plants.

In the evening, some drizzle did arrive.  I watered the plants in the greenhouse and the Strawberries.  I also harvested a punnet of Strawberries, all the Gooseberries and the 3rd picking of Mange Tout.

A note on fruit…the Gooseberry bush appears to have been completely stripped of leaves.  Presumably by Sawfly.  I’ll need to have a think about that - to work out if it recoverable.  One of the Blueberry plants is looking decidedly poorly.  Leaves going very brown and patchy despite watering.  Something else to consider.

The plot is doing ok, I think.  

With the Peas, Perpetual Spinach, Spinach and the remaining Garlic scapes, I made a curry for my tea. 

Lots to sow next week (or during the week if at all possible).  I need to weed Beds 3 and 4 in particular.  And around the Raspberries and Boysenberries.