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Gardening with The Moon & Biodynamics (Part Two)

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  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478
    Weather , well very cold with and dry April , May looks like being very wet with lots of hail storms  , at least the frosts have stopped , however ,  when it does rain it “ throws it down “
    Working around the showers 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I was planning to plant out my courgettes and squashes to day but it's cool and windy and we're set for a few nights of just 5C which will check them so they'll have to languish in the polytunnel a bit longer.

    The French and Belgians like to warn gardeners and each other about the Ice Saints whose days fall on May 11, 12 and 13.  Most think it's usually safe to plant stuff out after they've passed but there is a sneaky late one on the 25th and, sure enough, our forecast says cool till the 25th but the temps will rise to the high teens the day after and get warmer thereafter with plenty of sunshine.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478
    Love the idea of Ice Saints 
    Another very wet day , more gales and rain tomorrow 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    This is our 5th spring in this garden and the first year the Ice Saints have had any influence at all.   Normally by April I'm in shorts and t-shirts and the babies are out in the ground and thriving.   

    Not this year, tho the broad beans are doing very well, we've had our first crop of asparagus and the garlic and shallots I planted in early December are looking good and will soon be ready for harvesting.  The soft fruits - currants and gooseberries - are looking good for the first time after a huge effort to improve the soil in their new bed and get them planted with a seep hose - much needed in April but not this month.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • biofreakbiofreak Posts: 1,089
    Hi Everyone
    We had a mild frost on 11th but just cold and windy since with massive gales forecast today and over this weekend. Plants longing to go out of the polytunnel but just can't risk wind damage at the moment. Broad Beans are podding up nicely and Broccoli still going strong!! Cats have finished arguing, far too busy hunting now. Shame you don't live nearer Obelixx I have far too much Lemon Balm 'Melisse'..you could have had lots! Weeded yesterday and found lots of baby Coriander. Over the moon as have difficulty growing this from seed.
    Here is the Lunar Calender 22-28th May.
    22/23/24th May Moon descending in front of Virgo so Root Days. Plant out Leeks down 19/20th March not forgetting to top and tail them to strengthen growth.pop them in between Carrots to deter Carrot Fly.plant out Celeriac down 9/10th March and thin out showings of Beetroot and Chicory from 3/4th May.
    25th May Moon descending in front of Libra so Flower Days. Try layering Climbing Rose. Clematis. Honeysuckle and Wisteria. Prick out Cauliflowers and Broccoli down 5/6th MayNo gardening recommended 26th May as Moon perigee and noeud descending. Full Moon 12.13pm on 26th.
    27th May Leaf Days. Prune hedges. Blanche some scarole or endive. Prick out Cabbages down 7/9th May. Thin out Salad Crops and Spinach plus Chard.
    28/29th May Moon crossing from descending to ascending at 10.24pm on 28th. In front of Sagittarius so Fruit Days again. Sow some Runner Beans and Sweetcorn where they are to crop. Biodynamic Tip. Runner Beans can be planted in the same bed as Sweetcorn and Pumpkins. The leaves from the pumpkin cover the ground so keeping it moist and the beans climb up the sweetcorn and supply the roots with extra nutrients thus promoting good cobs.. This method saves space.
    I am in two minds whether to try my Melons in a raised bed this year or keep them under cover. Suggestions welcome. They are growing on well in the Polytunnel and are ready to pot on. I am trying a new Italian Cucumber and a smaller Blue Pumpkin. Both coming on well. Are you trying anything new this year?
    The Biodynamic lecture I recommended was a title on You Tube put up by the UK Biodynamic Association. Try it again. Or type in Claire Hattersley and see if that works.
    Have a great weekend.
    Happy Gardening!

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I found lemon balm yesterday @biofreak, now split into 4 plants and in their own pot.  No invasions wanted!   I also found some lemon verbena and they were both labelled "citronelle" which is what they also call lemon grass so Possum has had a lesson on botanical names for clarity and accuracy.   I also found her some calendula so she's a happy bunny now.

    I found leeks on Wednesday so will be planting those out tomorrow and some long onions and some beetroot plugs too.  I also need to pot up some divisions for a gardening group plant swap on Sunday.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • biofreakbiofreak Posts: 1,089
    Well done. I have potted up some baby Fancies for a friend as she did not know it. Great to help new gardeners. She has just got her first allotment. 50euros a year which I didn't think was bad.As she lives in a flat it is ideal. Off to Bio Garden Fair tomorrow. Great not to have a cancellation again. Fingers crossed for better weather.😊
  • biofreakbiofreak Posts: 1,089
    This keyboard is mad... I typed Tansies not Fancies..That would be a new herb!! 
  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478
    @biofreak glad to hear your cat tribe are friends again 
    Yesterday morning and all day today at allotment , lots of weeding but planted 2 beds of leeks , 1 of kale & sweet corn 
    Can’t hoe potatoes 🥔 up any more 
    Did sew  courgette & quash seeds direct in ground never do that before 

  • biofreakbiofreak Posts: 1,089
    Hi everyone
    At last I have been able to plant out Tomatoes/Courgettes/Cucumbers/Melons and Beetroot. Sowed Runner Beans Firestorm too and weeded Potager Yesterday as like a Jungle!!! Sweetcorn in raised bed with 2 Blue Butternut Squashes as pals. Silver Birch twigs saved from storms have proven to be invaluable on seed beds as young Tom not  obedience trained yet like my other cats who do not dare go onto the veg plot for fear of chopped whiskers! Boots the Bengal has taken up Frogging as opposed to Birding. Two beautiful green frogs arrived this morning in the hall, plonked at my feet hopefully. Popped them into the Bog Garden. Which sweetcorn are you trying GWRS? I put in Early Sweet Bantum in hopes of them ripening before November!! Never seem to get this right. Would love advice. Parsnips however are romping along. Wish I'd put in more than six now!!
    Anyway the Lunar Calender weather for June shows fresh days for the first fortnight with rain in northern areas but sunny in south. The second fortnight promises a hot and dry period with storms forecast in many areas towards the end of the month. Bought some lovely Irises at Bio Garden Fair they will go well with the established Iris Bed at the top of the drive. Made a new herb bed with different thymes at each corner and climbing annual flowers in the centre to attract bees etc to centre of Potager. Popped sunflowers in there too. We have a new addition to the bird feeder..Woody Woodpecker who sports a fine red head and belly. At first I thought we had a parrot in the garden but the book says he is a great spotted woodpecker. At first he went for the fat balls but now he thinks cheese is the best thing on the menu. I hope he may bring the family to visit. Very honoured. Looking forward to first major garden fair this weekend ...I have long wish list😊😊 Will do Calender tomorrow as Bio D Newsletter due so can give useful hints for June.
    Happy Gardening!

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