courgette co^pse

September 21, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit 1 Comment

Most of the summer squashes have now ceased fruiting, and do nothing but sulk. These were chopped down and taken up today, with the dismembered components but into a raised bed. This was a bed, that this year had contained king edwards potatos. These were grown in horse poop, but the bed had sunk; with the poop decaying. It was very shallow, so in need of topping up. With the daleks quite full, the remnants of the squashes were piled into the bed. Quite bulky at the moment, lots of green material. This, with the leaves should decay down into some growing medium. There is plenty of time over the winter before next years growing season.

Squashes, Taking stock

Oh, sweetie #3

September 21, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit 1 Comment

These are the fruits of the sweet dumpling vine. Seeds that were given away free by http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/ some time ago; and were yet another squash experiment. A success, as they have never been grown before. Have moved from being a beautiful puce green, to pale cream and mottled. Exactly what it looked like on the seed packet.

The picture is deceptive as regards as size goes. They aren’t tiny, like the jack be little. But a nice handful, and very robust.

success, Taking stock

Pay the Piper, my lady: Maris Piper and Lady Balfour

September 21, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit 1 Comment

from the top: King eds, maris piper, lady balfour

If there had to be a pretty potato contest, then Maris piper or lady balfour would be worthy contenders. I have arrived at that decision, as the King Eds are ugly in comparison. King Eds look like battle weary cavaliers in comparison to today’s furtled crop. It was definitely a two man job. I started to furtle and pick out; with ma then joining me. Ma has a technique for everything, she furtles; lobs them at me. I then pick them up and stick them in the bucket.

The king eds are drawn gasps and grimaces, these drew ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’. These were potatoes that looked familiar. Like the stuff found in supermarkets. Decent enough sized too. Not many tiny, new potato type tubers; in comparison to the king eds.

All of these were grown in horse poop. But the maris pipers and lady balfour were buried a bit deeper, I think. The king ed bed, whilst it had lots of poop, sank a lot in comparison. Also, lady balfour and maris piper, don’t seem to have had as many chunks taken out of them, compared to the King Eds.

Now all that remains is to eat them!

Yours in anticipation,

Horticultural Hobbit

Taking stock

Not just an aloo; but a home grown aloo

September 18, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit 2 Comments

At the weekend, mama h and I; furtled and dug up the potatoes. Today, I wanted to bring some home as ma is a bit worried that they would melt in the rain or something. They have, been there for a few days.

Using a make shift container-plastic bag, lined with some brown paper-I first picked out the small king eds. small, as in tiny, new potato sized things. These are too be fair. The one disappointment of main crops, in this experience.

That left me with this remainder:

At which point, I thought, how many spuds do you actually have. This may take you a while. Might have to wait til those in the bucket have been eaten.

So I then settled picking up some more ‘proper’ sized king eds.

Think these look reasonable enough.
And then looked at the pile again.

Am gonna need a bigger bucket.

classroom experimentation

Tomatoes on the turn: getting there

September 18, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit

Getting there; some of the ones in the 4TB are turning the wrong way and aren’t pretty

Squashes

Bruno 2013

September 15, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit 1 Comment

This years Bruno the Ghostrider. A little smaller than perhaps I would have thought at this time of the year. Also, smaller than the previous version of Bruno. Perhaps he needs feeding.

The vine is yet to die off, just a bit weather beaten.

chillies, classroom experimentation

Peck of purple peppers

September 14, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit

These are purple beauty sweet peppers from the real seed company. Have been moved from the Wendy and live for the moment in the poly.

Compared to initial fruits, these are somewhat bigger.

A collection of sweet peppers and chillies harvested from the poly.

chillies, classroom experimentation

Peck of purple peppers

September 14, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit

These are purple beauty sweet peppers from the real seed company. Have been moved from the Wendy and live for the moment in the poly.

Compared to initial fruits, these are somewhat bigger.

A collection of sweet peppers and chillies harvested from the poly.

In a bit of pickle, success

Just beet it

September 14, 2013 horticultural 'Obbit 1 Comment

Have had limited Success with beetroot; can never get it to the huge wrecking ball size. These could been any of the bonel, cylindra or boltardy that were broadcast sown. Look reasonable enough.