|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Heaven: The green blade re-riseth (gardening thread anew)
|
Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by LutheranChik:
I debated about celeriac -- we like it at our house but the closest supermarket that carries it is 30 miles away, so growing our own sounded like a good alternative
This is my first try at growing celeriac. I have no idea if it does well in this area. quote:
Originally posted by jackanapes:
Having just harvested some new potatoes, grown in a container, I found the seed potatoes to be firm, unshrivelled and in good health. I've replanted them in the same container, with a vague hope of getting a second crop, and they are already growing like billy-o once more.
I am growing potatoes-in-a-bucket for the first time, so will be interested in your experiment.
I bought a bag of 5 seed potatoes with long thin white sprouts from a hardware store. I broke these off as there were some unsprouted eyes which then fortunately produced some healthy looking sprouts. They have grown well, but are not ready for digging (or tipping out) just yet.
In addition, I found half-a dozen little potato plants among the weeds in my front border.
I suspect Mr RoS of disposing of the 'chats' there from the end of a bag of potatoes he couldn't be bothered to take to the kitchen-waste bin. Anyway, I dug them up and popped them into a bucket of compost, and await results. They continue to grow, but are weeks behind my properly planted ones.
--------------------
Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
|
Posted
If there is one thing doing extra super well in my experimental veggie plot, it is the spuds.
The tops are extraordinarily verdant and bushy (does this mean the tubers will be tiny?)
Actually, the peas, beans and artichokes are going well too; courgettes are gathering steam, and the sweetcorn is still a bit ho-hum.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
jackanapes
Shipmate
# 12374
|
Posted
Down in the South of England, lots of gardeners are apparently complaining that their early spuds are all tops and no bottoms this year.
Posts: 468 | From: The bottom of my heart | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by jackanapes:
Down in the South of England, lots of gardeners are apparently complaining that their early spuds are all tops and no bottoms this year.
Well I'm glad it's not just me. Having had a duff year with them last year I decided to grow the "earlies" in bags on the patio, and still not a lot of success.
I was rather hoping that the "lates" I planted at the allotment will do better but I am now having my doubts.
Thankfully the asparagus, chard and rhubarb are doing OK, and maybe the things I planed a couple of weeks ago will enjoy the rain forecast for this weekend (the sign of a gardener - someone who is happy when it rains in the summer!)
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ferijen
Shipmate
# 4719
|
Posted
Another óne with potato issues, very close to daisydaisy... they're all wilting too early and there's hardly anything underneath. On the other hand, the onions are looking good...
Posts: 3259 | From: UK | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
Indeed - within a few metres of Ferijen at our allotments ![[Smile]](smile.gif) but my spuds there haven't started to wilt... yet. I have been watering them every few days though. Of the 2 bags on the patio at home the foliage in one has been munched by the Dreaded Slugs and the other appears to be behaving itself but I am resisting the urge to rummage around to see if there are any spuds in there.
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lamb Chopped
Ship's kebab
# 5528
|
Posted
My husband just told me, we've got spuds. It seems like a freaking miracle to me, it's the first time we've tried to grow "real" food (as opposed to tomatoes, which come up in the cracks of the sidewalk).
--------------------
Er, this is what I've been up to (book).
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!
Posts: 20059 | From: off in left field somewhere | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
I haven't even planted my spuds yet...maybe tomorrow. (I've long ago given up my plan to plant by the moon like the old folks back home.)
I did, however, plant about 21 tomato plants over the past few days, including a number of mystery varieties. I'm looking forward to seeing how these turn out.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Anna B
Shipmate
# 1439
|
Posted
It's been oddly rainy and cool here. To top it off, I was late with getting my tomato plants out. They're growing, but they look kind of unenthusiastic about it.
Blackcurrants are another matter entirely. I never thought I'd see a harvest of these proportions with so little effort. They just love the east exposure where I placed them a couple of years ago!
Found a star jasmine (=Confederate jasmine) at the garden center yesterday, repotted it, and placed it near our front door where we can appreciate the fragrance. It will live indoors during the wintertime, to ease the blues.
--------------------
Bad Christian (TM)
Posts: 3069 | From: near a lot of fish | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
It was cold and rainy today...is supposed to warm up, but not dry out, for the next three days. I'm glad for the rain but am impatient for the warming so I can see some progress with the cucurbits. And the rest of the beans need to go in...I've planted "Dwarf Bees" (as much for the flowers as for the veggies), but will be planting some "Masai," "Dragon Langerie" and flat Italian snap beans.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
amber.
Ship's Aspiedestra
# 11142
|
Posted
Our potatoes are doing alright so far in the central south of England - but we've tried a different veg bed with a bit more shade than usual. Tomatoes are doing really well - massive plants, plenty of flowers. Specialised growbags and extra top up feeding seems to have helped. The extra 50p a bag was worth it, I think.
Still no clue what's in a couple of rows of the veg we planted earlier. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Posts: 5102 | From: Central South of England | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
jackanapes
Shipmate
# 12374
|
Posted
Have you dug any potatoes up yet, Amber?
Posts: 468 | From: The bottom of my heart | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
|
Posted
I spent six hours in the garden this morning, digging out a 10ft X 18inch trench in solid clay. Then digging in clinker for drainage and replacing the top 4inches of clay with compost from my heap, and topsoil of unknown quality that Mr RoS acquired from someone else's garden.
Then I set in a dozen beanpoles, planted runner and climbing french beans plus a row of french marigolds (to attract the bees). They are now watered in, and I soaked myself in the process as the hose-connector came apart.
It remains to be seen whether or not the beans like their home.
--------------------
Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
![[Eek!]](eek.gif) you did all that in only 6 hours? You must have muscles on your muscles. Well done
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
It's too soggy and cold (the weather report was wrong) to do any gardening today; I'm feeling like an invalid child with my nose pressed to the window glass.
Here's a question: Salsify -- worth growing or not? I didn't plant it this year, but seeing a large patch of wild goat's-beard in a field this weekend made me wonder if it's a truly garden-worthy vegetable or just a marginally edible historical novelty. I know the flavor of salsify is often compared to oysters or parsnips; I can't quite see the connection, but I enjoy both of those foods....and since oysters are not plantable here in the Upper Midwest ![[Biased]](wink.gif) I am wondering if there is something sufficiently different between salsify and parsnips to provide a compelling reason to grow the former next year.
(One of my considerations in planting this year was to only plant veggies/varieties that are not locally available; that if the local roadside-produce-stand farmers can grow something more abundantly and cheaply than I can, it makes sense to patronize them and instead grow specialties for myself. This has meant that my garden choices have been on the quirky side.)
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
amber.
Ship's Aspiedestra
# 11142
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by jackanapes:
Have you dug any potatoes up yet, Amber?
I've had a small look, and they're doing ok. Going to leave them a bit longer, though. (they're the Very Earlies so should be ok for a few weeks yet).
Posts: 5102 | From: Central South of England | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
Yesterday I emptied out one of the sacks that I've been growing spuds in and found the grand total of 7 spuds. Hmm. Although it was 5 more than I planted it's still not a roaring sucess. I hope the other sack has a better harvest, and those at the allotment are better still - I am glad that I am not having to depend on this but can fall back on the shops for spuds.
quote:
Originally posted by LutheranChik:
(One of my considerations in planting this year was to only plant veggies/varieties that are not locally available; that if the local roadside-produce-stand farmers can grow something more abundantly and cheaply than I can, it makes sense to patronize them and instead grow specialties for myself. This has meant that my garden choices have been on the quirky side.)
I like this plan - it's my aim to be growing the more unusual things (mainly what I can swap with my allotment neighbours who are so generous with runner beans!), but at the moment I am mainly practicing just growing things and getting more of the plot dug over. Although this year, as well as the asparagus and rhubarb that I inherited from the previous holder of my allotment and the regular cabbage and runner beans, I am expanding out into growing fennel from seed, chard also from seed, celery from plugs and some butternut squash. I've also got rather a lot of globe artichoke seedlings growing on - I had no idea just how large these grow to until a couple of weeks ago - they make rather magnificent plants, but I must be careful to reserve a large space for the 2 or 3 that I shall plant out - I don't even know if I like the taste of globe artichoke!
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
I have bulb fennel too, from a local farmers' market...I was going to plant it in the veggie garden, but according to the plant compatibility tables most other plants hate being alongside fennel...so I have to find some alternative spot for my 10 or so plants.
Today was a sunny day that hit 70, after a cold and rainy weekend...I went to the garden to assess any damage caused by the almost 2 inches of rain we received over the last 48 hours; a few of my homegrown tomato plants were battered into the ground, but I did some hoeing and tidying and all but one look like they survived. There are tears in my rhubarb leaves that make me think that we may have had some hail during one of our numerous storms this weekend. The lettuce is up. The squash hills are still extant, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll come up now that the weather is supposed to hit the low 70's.
Today I planted "Masai" filet beans, "Roma" bush beans and "Dragon Langerie" wax beans (they're a flat chartreuse bean with purple stripes -- incredibly prolific and forgiving of both bad weather and poor gardening skills), as well as a row of assorted chard and a row of mixed "Chioggia" and yellow beets. I also planted a half-row of potatoes (very late, I know, but they're in a cooler section of the garden) and some cilantro, which to my surprise was listed as a good companion to potatoes. I also planted mixed annual flowers around the perimeter of the garden -- this is supposed to attract beneficial insects and in some cases provide a "trap" plant more attractive to bugs than their vegetable cousins.
Space is filling up fast now, but I have room for another row or two of beans, should I decide to stagger another planting, or something else. I have a leftover packet of something called "Mixed Greens" which I dimly recall was a collection of mixed greens for stir-frying.
And, sadly, I must report my first Euro-veggie failure: This spring I'd planted Good King Henry next to my herb patch, because spinach doesn't do well here in the Upper Midwest and the idea of a perennial spinach analog seemed appealing; I was thrilled to see little plantlets popping up, finally, after a long, cold spring; but now I'm thinking that they're not what I planted, but simply common lamb's-quarters -- they're all over that strip of garden, not just the intended bed. Darn.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by LutheranChik:
simply common lamb's-quarters -- they're all over that strip of garden, not just the intended bed. Darn.
Don't knock Good King Henry's poor relation, it can be pot-worthy too.
--------------------
Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
|
Posted
A warning to the unwary.
I had a nasty accident in the garden yesterday.
Working my way backwards, on my knees along a path, weeding and trimming back overhanging foliage I reversed, unknowingly into a clump of helleborus foetidus.
My feet went underneath the foliage and I sat back on my heels trapping spent flowers, leaves and stems between my behind and my boots.
After a few moments I got a stinging sensation, which I first thought was ants in my pants - real ants, as I'd disturbed a couple of nests as I worked.
Then the sting became really sore, like rubbing lemon juice into a cut - that was when I realised what I had done, and by that time the juice from the plant had soaked through my trousers and knickers and had been thoroughly rubbed into my skin by my boot heels.
If I had been sensible I would have gone and washed it off immediately, but I was so near the end of the path that I just carried on with the weeding and by the time I'd finished the pain had gone, so I did nothing.
Today, though, I have a sore and weeping patch on my buttock, just where my underwear rubs, and which cracks open as I walk or sit.
I am not looking forward to spending a day walking around the Gardeners' World Live show tomorrow ![[Frown]](frown.gif) I think I'd better take a pot of nappy-rash cream with me.
--------------------
Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
Here we are praying for some warm weather. My poor cucurbits have been languishing in the cold, damp ground for a week now, promises of 70 degree days coming to naught. (I'm especially worried about an heirloom French winter squash -- I can't think of the name, but it's round and warty -- that came in a packet of only 6 seeds because it's so rare.) Tonight the weatherperson promised 80 degrees by Monday...sounds nice, but I don't believe it.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
I thought I'd posted on this thread, but apparantly not. I lost one post when I accidentally logged myself off (oo-er missus): must have been on this thread. Any road up:
I've had a garden - quite a large one for a small council house - for 31 years, but for some years up to last summer I shamefully neglected it. However, last year I decided to knock it back into shape and take up organic fruit and veg. growing. I already have a full-size apple tree which was already fully grown when I moved in in 1978, so it must be quite old: I think the variety is 'James Grieve', but I haven't had it formally identified. I've added four more apple trees as bare-root maidens on semi-dwarfing rootstocks: Egremont Russet, an eater; Brownlees Russet, an old eater dating from the 1840s, and local to me, having been raised in Hemel Hempstead, where I live; Cottenham Seedling, a cooker dating from the 1920s; and Flower of Kent, aka Isaac Newton's Tree, which is a very old variety, dating at least from the 17th Century and very likely earlier: it is the variety which Sir Isaac Newton saw an apple of fall to the ground, which started the train of thought which led to his theory of universal gravitation. A tree of the variety grew at his widowed mother's home, Woolsthorpe Manor, where he was staying at the time. I wanted to grow interesting and unusual old varieties, not the usual well-known varieties. I've also planted a quince tree, variety Ispahan, in the front garden.
I now have two vegetable beds in the back garden, and am growing spuds, turnips, cabbage, beans (French and broad), peas, parsnips, radishes, celery, celeriac, onions, tomatoes, and garlic. As with the apples, I'm growing some old an d unusual varieties. The toms, for example, are 'Amish Paste', an old American variety, of the very large 'beefsteak' type, raised originally by the Amish communities in New England, and the French beans are 'Cherokee Trail of Tears', an old variety cultivated by the Cherokee Indians, and saved by them through the notorious forced removal of them from their ancestral homeland in the mid-19th Century, an event known as the trail of tears, hence the name for the bean. Next year, I plan to grow three varieties of tomato, 'Golden Sunrise', a medium-sized yellow variety, 'Tigerella', a medium red-with-orange-stripes one, and hopefully, if I can get seeds, 'Black Master', a very unusual beefsteak type stocked by realseeds, which is very dark browny-purple - almost black.
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
P.S., since I'm out of editing time ![[Mad]](angryfire.gif) , the Real Seed Catalogue, which I mentioned above as where I hope to get the 'Black Master' Tomato from, is here.
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
JPG: "Amish Paste" is a flavorful tomato; hope yours do well.
I'm thinking "Elberta Girl," bred for short seasons, would do well across the pond...it has smallish fruit but is very prolific.
I enjoyed "Tigerella" the year I grew them...if I remember correctly the neighborhood deer ate much of my tomato patch down to the nubbins, so I didn't get much of a yield.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by LutheranChik:
JPG: "Amish Paste" is a flavorful tomato; hope yours do well.
Thanks. Yes, I gather that A.P. is quite strongly-flavoured, which is why it's especially suitable for paste and sauces. quote:
I'm thinking "Elberta Girl," bred for short seasons, would do well across the pond...it has smallish fruit but is very prolific.
Never heard of it, but I'll look out for it. Thanks for the tip. quote:
I enjoyed "Tigerella" the year I grew them...if I remember correctly the neighborhood deer ate much of my tomato patch down to the nubbins, so I didn't get much of a yield.
Fortunately, we don't get many deer in suburban Hemel Hempstead back gardens!
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Roseofsharon:
quote:
Originally posted by LutheranChik:
simply common lamb's-quarters -- they're all over that strip of garden, not just the intended bed. Darn.
Don't knock Good King Henry's poor relation, it can be pot-worthy too.
'Lambs-quarters'? Is it also known as 'Fat Hen', by any chance? I know Fat Hen is a close relative of Good King Henry, but I've never heard of L.Q.
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock:
I already have a full-size apple tree which was already fully grown when I moved in in 1978, so it must be quite old: I think the variety is 'James Grieve', but I haven't had it formally identified.
Is it a fairly late ripener? Golden skin with patches of red?
We planted one, in acknowledgement of the fact that we live in the part of Edinburgh where Mr Grieve originally bred the variety. (It eventually succumbed to neglect and sustained cat attack).
The book I would most liked to have stolen from an Ag. & Fish. library I used to work in was the catalogue of all know apple varieties. There were some memorable names - Green Pursemouth for example.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
quote:
Originally posted by J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock:
I already have a full-size apple tree which was already fully grown when I moved in in 1978, so it must be quite old: I think the variety is 'James Grieve', but I haven't had it formally identified.
Is it a fairly late ripener? Golden skin with patches of red?
Septemberish, but yes, the appearance is as you describe.
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
The book I would most liked to have stolen from an Ag. & Fish. library I used to work in was the catalogue of all know apple varieties. There were some memorable names - Green Pursemouth for example.
The book to have on apples nowadays is this, which I regularly borrow from the Library: I must buy it some day. It lists just about every known variety of apple, with full descriptions, and is what I used to provisionally identify my 'James Grieve'.
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Roseofsharon:
....I had a nasty accident in the garden yesterday..... I reversed, unknowingly into a clump of helleborus foetidus.
Golly gosh Roseofsharon - that sounds nasty and I hope it soon clears up. I've read about this plant being able to burn like this, but until now never come across anyone that has experienced it.
Today summer really arrived in my garden - "my" frong arrived. He hopped out of the undergrowth in a flower bed onto the lawn and then in 2 hops made it to the undergrowth around the barrel-pond - all watched by a very interested cat who I hope leaves the frog alone.
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
sorry to double post but (as you've possibly realised) no frong visited me today - it was a frog.
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Carex
Shipmate
# 9643
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock:
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
The book I would most liked to have stolen from an Ag. & Fish. library I used to work in was the catalogue of all know apple varieties. There were some memorable names - Green Pursemouth for example.
The book to have on apples nowadays is this, which I regularly borrow from the Library: I must buy it some day. It lists just about every known variety of apple, with full descriptions, and is what I used to provisionally identify my 'James Grieve'.
Another good resource is The Fruit, Nut and Berry Inventory published by the Seed Savers Exchange. Unfortunately my copy appears to be out on loan at the moment. (Now if I can just remember who I gave it to...)
Posts: 1425 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
Re "frongs": This spring I pulled some moribund cardinal shrubs out of the long border along the back side of the house and committed that space to herbs and rhubarb. I'm happy to report that a little toad has taken up residence in my herb patch. Its "amen" to the surroundings makes me think I did the right thing. I might have to find an attractive pot to create a daytime hideaway for Mr. (or Ms.) Toad.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
The chard, beets and "Dragon's Tongue" beans are up -- woot! We had a gentle rain all day, and it's helping pop up the veggies nicely.
This particular type of bean, by the way, is amazing...incredibly prolific, and striking in appearance (flat chartreuse pods with pretty purple streaks). One year, in my old home, deer got into the garden and literally devoured all the bean plants down to the ground. While this effectively killed the standard green bean variety I'd planted, the "Dragon's Tongue" came back from half-inch nubbins and produced a decent crop.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
|
Posted
My garden is suffering dreadfully from the heat and lack of rain in my part of the UK.
It is taking me 2 hours every other morning just to water the veggies, the flower pots and the more vulnerable plants. The pots and recently emerged seedlings get done every day.
And that just keeps them alive, they are not growing much.
I went outside at about 5pm today and found an entire flowerbed in a state of collapse - not a bed I need to water most summers, but I gave it a drink this evening.
No sign of rain forecast for the rest of the week. I wonder when we will get the hosepipe ban?
--------------------
Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
Showers likely Thursday and Friday in the South-East, last I heard.
Wish my toms would get a bloody move on. They're still only just opening their first flowers. They should be setting fruit by now.
[ 30. June 2009, 10:33: Message edited by: J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock ]
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
jackanapes
Shipmate
# 12374
|
Posted
My stuff is hanging in there but, please, can we have some rain for SE England?
Posts: 468 | From: The bottom of my heart | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
|
Posted
Local weather forecast says '`Heavy Rain Shower' for Thursday, at the earliest. A shower, however heavy, will be insufficient and I'll believe that when I see it anyway.
We were promised one of those last week, but although we could see the dark clouds, and hear the thunderclaps rolling all round us not a single drop fell on the village.
--------------------
Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Curiosity killed ...
Ship's Mug
# 11770
|
Posted
Just down the road from you RoseofSharon, we had the thunder right overhead, and really spectacular thunderclaps and lightning simultaneously. And we had a day when it just drizzled.
--------------------
Mugs - Keep the Ship afloat
Posts: 13794 | From: outiside the outer ring road | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
I'd rather have lots of hot sun, to get the fruit swelling. I can provide water myself, but not sunshine.
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
Off-topic P.S. to Roseofsharon: I've just registered at your signature-linked book forum, and made an introductory post in the introductions thread (I'm 'Steve H' over there). I tried to give you a plug when registering by putting your user-moniker in the 'referred by' box, but it didn't recognise it. Who are you over there?
Thanx for the link, anyway.
[ 30. June 2009, 22:16: Message edited by: J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock ]
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
I hope you get some decent rain soon - I was relieved to find that my allotment hadn't missed me at all while I was at a rather extended shipmeet. Either it's rained enough here or been humid enough for the plants to be happy. The beans are running up the poles, the peas are thinking about it, and everything else (yes, weeds too) is getting on with growing as well. The plastic owl I stuck on a pole seems to be keeping the pigeons away. Yesterday I harvested the first peas, lettuce, raspberries and chilli, as well as some more broad beans and some flowers. I reckon courgettes for lunch this weekend mmmm I do like this time of year ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif) although I am filling bottles with rainwater from the barrels at home to take there tomorrow - the handpump at the allotment is useful but such hard work, especially in this heat.
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
My filet and Italian flat beans are not doing as well as I'd hoped...the first two rows are very uneven, with many of the emerging beans having no "seed leaves" to speak of, or only tiny first leaves. A cutworm also managed to kill several seedlings. The second two rows are healthier, but still not as vigorous as the "Dragon Tongue." I planted a third succession of each variety at the end of last week...unfortunately, we're in a cold snap now, which I think also contributed to the sad condition of the first planting. Our temperatures have been far below normal for much of the spring and much of June.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock:
Off-topic P.S. to Roseofsharon: I've just registered at your signature-linked book forum, and made an introductory post in the introductions thread (I'm 'Steve H' over there). I tried to give you a plug when registering by putting your user-moniker in the 'referred by' box, but it didn't recognise it. Who are you over there?
Thanx for the link, anyway.
This sort of thing is best handled by Private Message (PM). Click on that little envelope thing with the two people on it.
Mamacita, Heavenly Host
--------------------
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock
Apprentice
# 14831
|
Posted
Good point.
--------------------
Today my Lord returned from the wars and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.
Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, 1660- 1744, in her diary.
Posts: 50 | From: Hemel Hempstead | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view
![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
