These are growing like triffids. Perhaps not as big as plants this time last year; but still have some time yet. I am aiming to have them planted out at the bank holiday weekend. Suggesting that they will need to be hardened off soon.
Argh allotment Epi 5
Argh allotment Epi 5
Watched the opening credits, with the mentality, that this is a game show. It’s not real, has no ecological validity. The population, sample and measurement is not valid or representative.
So do we know out onions?
Onions bolt. Red ones of course just don’t bother doing anything.
So this could interesting.
Lots of name dropping as far as different varieties go. There is no such thing as a bog standard onion.
And the key indicator success. Appearance. Prettiness. And now you have tied it.
I mean really?
I raise my wonky, misshapen veg argument again. And that all bits of veg are unique.
Didn’t realise that the growers only had five months. This seems a very short window. When the allotment year is exactly that. A whole year. There could have some nod to autumn, summer and spring.
The floo’ers have gone over my head again. I can’t spell crysanths, so can’t say I’m impressed with these floral segments. Flowers do have their place; I am not negating that’d pending they are lovely. I quite like tulips, roses and gladiolus. Just not sure about bouquets and arrangements. Even more so with the analysis of the arrangement.
Jelly, not the spiced one that I expected. And no ideas what a fruit butter is. Hopes were raised by the tomato and chilli jelly. The gloopinrds was key for me though. I’d be intrigued as to how to make a jelly, that’s for certain.
Was somewhat heartened by thane’s disappointment. That things don’t always turn out right, that you have to take the rough and even rougher.
My sincerest commiserations to the bearded blokes and Jo an Avril. Two pairs who really embodied the true essence.
Squash re-sown
I’ve been looking at these for a few days; wondering why they weren’t growing. So I had a check today. Turns out, it’s all a bit cold and damp. The one thing that has germinated is the crimson sweet watermelon. Have rummaged in the seed box and resown. Only one or two were summer squashes. Rest were winter squashes.
On the other hand:
These are the first cohort. We has assorted squashes and cukes in there.
Tomato transfer yet again
Think these guys need feeding; they also look a bit bored. Moved from the Wendy to the poly today and given a good drink.
Pampering poly plants
They made it over night, under a fleece. Even had to evict two slugs that found themselves stuck in the builders sand placed around the base of the plants.
What I have done is used some broken hoops to cover them a little differently. I’m a bit worried that the aubergines here will get a bit too warm and damp; inviting more slimers. Now it is rented for ventilation.
Same has been done with the sweet peppers and Nigel.
Wonderful William
Poly tunnel planting
I went this morning with the intention of planting more gladiolus. I actually ended up planting things in the poly tunnel.
Aunty tish has shared some sweet potatoes. So these are the very things ever to be planted in the poly tunnel.
There was also some aubergines and sweet peppers sat in a box.
They were looking a bit sad, but reasonably sized.
And have now been sunk directly into the ground. We have black beauty, dancer, diamond and tres hative de barbentane aubergines. As well as California wonder sweet pepper and Nigel the outdoor chilli. Have been watered in, and around the base I have put sand and the little blue pellets of doom. All of which were then covered with fleece.
There is hot patio sizzle, hot thai, and pretty purple in pots still in another transparent box. These are heavily slug damaged at the moment; and I’m going to wait til they get a bit more leafier again.
Dorset Naga update May 2014
These are my four Dorset naga babies. yes, I know there are four babies in there. The tallest, I think, had three pairs of true leaves. Making progress, but slowly.
Leaves are starting to fill out and get more waxy. Was thinking how to boost them, so I have actually watered there and the other Superhots with some tomato food.
So far, two of these are going to be a me Alfredo and montague. Might give ’em a bit of character.
Pot-eh-tow!
Things are starting to sprout. This the growth for the Red duke of York, as sank by the artist in residence. Have yet to see Maris piper or king Edwards come up; but international kidney, lady Balfour and kestral are all coming through. This has meant that as we are not yet out of the frost window, these shoots have been covered over with fleece or grass cuttings.
Aubergine update
After watching the allotment challenge, I got a little defensive about my own little creatures. So I had to go take a look to see if they were still there.
Yes, they are slug damaged; but they are still alive! And fuzzy and green too. Currently sat beneath a duvet of fleece inside a plastic box. They are small, yes. I am wait them to get a wiggle on. The plan would be to stick them into the ground in the poly tunnel.
I know they are difficult, fickle and temperamental. Wouldn’t be nice to get something out of this experiment.
Punam Farmah Author and Filmmaker 