Oh Pink Fir Apple potatoes are really tasty. Used to grow them in the Muck heap at our stables in the UK. Always a good crop. Planted out bamboos yesterday and weeded and moved some shrubs around plus aired broad beans for the day. Popped them back in polytunnel last night. Glad I did cold and wet again today. Will pot on tomato's this week ..no trace of 🍆 aubergines and peppers..May buy young plants instead as a bit late to sow now.Ate first PBS yesterday from Autumn planting. Baby ones ready to go outside soon. Just hardening them off. (Have I got a bad memory or isn't La Rochelle normally warmer by now?)
We're an hour north of La Rochelle @biofreak. The Vendée capital is La Roche-sur-Yon. We've been having frosts for a few mornings now plus wind chill to make it feel like -8C but I have my less hardy treasures either tucked up in the polytunnel or on the leeward side of it or the house.
Our PSB is now starting to go over but that's OK. I just give the open flowers stalks to the chooks and we keep eating the remaining tiny side shoots while they're still purple. The plant fair I went to yesterday is normally held in the last week of March and it's always been a short sleeved top and pedal pusher shorts job. Yesterday I needed ski socks, jeans, a big jumper, a scarf and a fleece lined jacket. Brrr!
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)."
Hello , have been on holiday in Norfolk , evert type of weather , started sunny needed sun cream , then towards the end really strong winds , in-fact the old saying 1 step forward and 2 backwards was true at the coast , then snow ❄️ and hail
Back home and allotment work starting in earnest Planted a bed of first early potatoes 🥔 Curly kale going to seed so cut them down , purple broccoli 🥦 nearly finished Broad beans need staking aspa I was given 4 big bags of pumice , according to what I’ve read , is good for veg growing on light / sandy soil which is the top half of our allotment , wondered if anybody any experience of using it ?
I use rockdust, or Remin, which is crushed volcanic rock, and it is very good on fruit trees and bushes, also very good on brassica crops. They say that 20kg will do 250sqM. If your pumice has a similar mineral content then it will be very good. Home made compost and some manures lack minerals and trace elements so this puts them back. I don't spread it generally but put a small amount round each plant, more on trees and bushes obviously.
Hi Everyone ..woke up to hard frost this morning so made marmelade and Barmbrack for Garden Fair in Brittany next w/e ..now sun has bent off frost I can get outside as bright and sunny. Bought extra bags of Terreau before prices hike up as predicted, so all set for planting new raised beds and weeding balance of flower beds before broadcasting annuals. ( For me this means mixing all flower seeds left over from last year in bowl and scattering them around beds and amongst brassicas) Worked brilliantly last year and saved me sowing and pricking then planting out individual flowers 💐 Crystallising primroses and violets to decorate cakes for Garden Fairs today as well..and I must get my Gladioli in quickly as just inside time for Flower Days this morning. 11th (after 11.47am) 12/13th April Moon descending n front of Sagittarius so Fruit Days. In mild regions plant out Aubergine 🍆 Chilli and Peppers sown 29-30th January. And Cucumbers plus Mel s sown 6-7th March. (Nowhere near ready to do this weather wise here but some of you may be able to) Earth up Peas and Broad Beans against wind rock (This I can do) Carry on planting Brush Fruit. 14/15/16th and 17th up to 12.12pm Root Days. If your Lilac is in flower plant potatoes and Leeks sown 1st February. Peck out Celeriac sown 27/28th March and thin out Carrots. 18th April Flower Day plant perennials and Shrubs. Prune Forsythia as flowers go over. Plant out Cauliflowers and Sprouting Broccoli sown 2-4th February. Permaculture. On 14th April start harvesting Asparagus and this is also a good time to plant a new asparagus bed. Well that should keep us all busy. Interesting to read about Rockdust Allotment Boy. They sell small bags here but have not tried it. Not really mentioned in Biodynamic Books but nteresti g to watch recent travel programmes about lush volcanic growth on Canary Islands and Caribbean. Happy Gardening.
We've had a torrid week weather-wise but it was clear enough to plant out my potatoes, shallots, white onions and beetroot plugs on Wednesday in time to get a good watering from Diégo on Thursday and Friday. Bright and sunny yesterday but a chill wind so I sowed some sunflowers, osteospermums and nasturtiums in the polytunnel.
Today was spent setting up the decorations and making the "achards" for the food stand at the garden club plant fair at La Roche next Saturday and tomorrow is patch club so I shall sow some chillies on Tuesday.
Another chook has died from the bloody parasitic worms so I've been spreading diatomaceous earth in their house and pen and the polytunnel where they spend wet days plus new beds in the potager as they are cleared. I also cook them mixed grain rice with garlic and thyme to boost their immune system and they get organic cider vinegar in their water. Only 2 left now.
We'll be having the last of the PSB with dinner this evening and then the rest will be given to the chooks to peck as it's going over but the asparagus is sprouting so not all is lost.
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)."
Hello , weather has been nice , Infact have had to do some watering Was at allotment Friday , today and going again tomorrow to replace some netting we have as fencing & a few other jobs Started using the pumice Seeds in green house coming on nicely
Hi Everyone Really good Garden Fair in Brittany..so nice to see people out and about again. Bought some Bio Mangetout Pea Seeds and some Heritage Parsnip Seed. Found two new Bio Seed suppliers plus delighted to find out that David Austen Roses are back in Europe. Need to add a couple as lost two during the Winter. Still cold at night here and vicious winds so keeping most things tucked up in polytunnel. 23/24th April are Root Days sow Turnips and next to Leeks sow some Carrots to guard against carrot fly and rust. 25/26 and 27th April Flower Days. Obelixx you are streaks ahead!! Sow hardy annuals where you want them to flower Keeping ground moist (Almost impossible in this drying wind). 28/29th April Leaf Days Sow some Celery in Nursery Bed and Bulb Fennel under cover. Where you wish to harvest sow some leeks/lettuce and land cress. 30th April New Moon and Fruit Day. No gardening recommended before 2.30pm as partial eclipse of the sun 🌞. In all regions sow Chick Peas. Sorry to hear about your loss of another hen Obelixx..will you get some more? Cats in full hunting mode but Boots the Bengal in disgrace having triumphantly bought home his latest trophy..A Moorhen! We are coming to UK for a break next week..just over two years since we visited. Will seem strange. Happy Gardening!
We've been promised rain but it has stayed south. Should have had 3 thunder storms in succession last night but not a peep of those nor a drop of rain. It's all circling south of La Rochelle now. Anyway, that means it's very dry but I shall try and get in the latest batch of potatoes which sprouted before we got to eat them. Noirmoutier specials but I don't know the variety.
Won't be getting more chooks till we find a way of getting rid of the parasites. They're too nasty to inflict on more hens. I'm even putting diatomaceous earth in the wild bird food mix now and some cider vinegar in their water too.
I shall be sowing more flowers tomorrow including sunflowers as I have a feeling sunflower seed is going to be hard to come by next autumn and some PSB and perennial flowers.
Our plant fair went very well last Saturday and yes, good to see people out an about again at such events.
Enjoy your trip to the UK.
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)."
Hello , lots of trips to allotment , it’s going well , having to water various beds Very little rain and lots of wind , in fact sitting in side conservatory listening to the wind whistles Picking asparagus , rhubarb and curly kale , broccoli finished cleared bed today 1st early potatoes just coming up Seeds so going well & some not , the way it goes
Bio , enjoy your trip to the U.K. , just being nosey which bits are you visiting ?
2 feral cats 🐈⬛ at allotment a boy & girl from the streets of Nottingham , not seen them yet , I trust your tribe is keeping well
Posts
Our PSB is now starting to go over but that's OK. I just give the open flowers stalks to the chooks and we keep eating the remaining tiny side shoots while they're still purple. The plant fair I went to yesterday is normally held in the last week of March and it's always been a short sleeved top and pedal pusher shorts job. Yesterday I needed ski socks, jeans, a big jumper, a scarf and a fleece lined jacket. Brrr!
Back home and allotment work starting in earnest
Planted a bed of first early potatoes 🥔
Curly kale going to seed so cut them down , purple broccoli 🥦 nearly finished
Broad beans need staking aspa
I was given 4 big bags of pumice , according to what I’ve read , is good for veg growing on light / sandy soil which is the top half of our allotment , wondered if anybody any experience of using it ?
O/H did loads of seeds in G/H
Happy gardening everybody
If your pumice has a similar mineral content then it will be very good. Home made compost and some manures lack minerals and trace elements so this puts them back. I don't spread it generally but put a small amount round each plant, more on trees and bushes obviously.
11th (after 11.47am) 12/13th April Moon descending n front of Sagittarius so Fruit Days. In mild regions plant out Aubergine 🍆 Chilli and Peppers sown 29-30th January. And Cucumbers plus Mel s sown 6-7th March. (Nowhere near ready to do this weather wise here but some of you may be able to) Earth up Peas and Broad Beans against wind rock (This I can do) Carry on planting Brush Fruit.
14/15/16th and 17th up to 12.12pm Root Days. If your Lilac is in flower plant potatoes and Leeks sown 1st February. Peck out Celeriac sown 27/28th March and thin out Carrots.
18th April Flower Day plant perennials and Shrubs. Prune Forsythia as flowers go over. Plant out Cauliflowers and Sprouting Broccoli sown 2-4th February.
Permaculture. On 14th April start harvesting Asparagus and this is also a good time to plant a new asparagus bed.
Well that should keep us all busy. Interesting to read about Rockdust Allotment Boy. They sell small bags here but have not tried it. Not really mentioned in Biodynamic Books but nteresti g to watch recent travel programmes about lush volcanic growth on Canary Islands and Caribbean.
Happy Gardening.
Today was spent setting up the decorations and making the "achards" for the food stand at the garden club plant fair at La Roche next Saturday and tomorrow is patch club so I shall sow some chillies on Tuesday.
Another chook has died from the bloody parasitic worms so I've been spreading diatomaceous earth in their house and pen and the polytunnel where they spend wet days plus new beds in the potager as they are cleared. I also cook them mixed grain rice with garlic and thyme to boost their immune system and they get organic cider vinegar in their water. Only 2 left now.
We'll be having the last of the PSB with dinner this evening and then the rest will be given to the chooks to peck as it's going over but the asparagus is sprouting so not all is lost.
Was at allotment Friday , today and going again tomorrow to replace some netting we have as fencing & a few other jobs
Started using the pumice
Seeds in green house coming on nicely
Really good Garden Fair in Brittany..so nice to see people out and about again. Bought some Bio Mangetout Pea Seeds and some Heritage Parsnip Seed. Found two new Bio Seed suppliers plus delighted to find out that David Austen Roses are back in Europe. Need to add a couple as lost two during the Winter. Still cold at night here and vicious winds so keeping most things tucked up in polytunnel.
23/24th April are Root Days sow Turnips and next to Leeks sow some Carrots to guard against carrot fly and rust.
25/26 and 27th April Flower Days. Obelixx you are streaks ahead!! Sow hardy annuals where you want them to flower Keeping ground moist (Almost impossible in this drying wind).
28/29th April Leaf Days Sow some Celery in Nursery Bed and Bulb Fennel under cover. Where you wish to harvest sow some leeks/lettuce and land cress.
30th April New Moon and Fruit Day. No gardening recommended before 2.30pm as partial eclipse of the sun 🌞. In all regions sow Chick Peas.
Sorry to hear about your loss of another hen Obelixx..will you get some more? Cats in full hunting mode but Boots the Bengal in disgrace having triumphantly bought home his latest trophy..A Moorhen! We are coming to UK for a break next week..just over two years since we visited. Will seem strange.
Happy Gardening!
Won't be getting more chooks till we find a way of getting rid of the parasites. They're too nasty to inflict on more hens. I'm even putting diatomaceous earth in the wild bird food mix now and some cider vinegar in their water too.
I shall be sowing more flowers tomorrow including sunflowers as I have a feeling sunflower seed is going to be hard to come by next autumn and some PSB and perennial flowers.
Our plant fair went very well last Saturday and yes, good to see people out an about again at such events.
Enjoy your trip to the UK.
Very little rain and lots of wind , in fact sitting in side conservatory listening to the wind whistles
Picking asparagus , rhubarb and curly kale , broccoli finished cleared bed today
1st early potatoes just coming up
Seeds so going well & some not , the way it goes
Bio , enjoy your trip to the U.K. , just being nosey which bits are you visiting ?