Hi Everyone -Weekend in Brittany a great success returned home with only 9 carrot cakes and 15 scones not sold!! -Now getting ready for departure tomorrow to Salon Fleurs et Jardins at Le Vaudreuil south of Rouen, where thank goodness it is not supposed to be as hot as last year. Only succumbed to buying a 'Theodora' auricula from Barnhaven Primroses at the w/e. Their Nursery was just round the corner so they had a fantastic display that they could re-stock easily. Did learn one thing from Bio-dynamic Potager lecturer - If you lift your baby leeks sown in February in April and leave them to dry out on the soil for 2 days, then trim tops and roots and re-plant in permanent position, they will grow on stronger. -Any thoughts on this? I've never heard of it, and I do see that it is listed in this week's Lunar Calender too. Anyway onwards to Lunar Calender from 24-30th April 24/25 and 26th April up to 1.16pm - Moon descending in Leo so Fruit and Grain days. Ifnot too cold -Plant out Aubergines/Peppers and Chillies sown 14-16th January. Tomatoes sown 11-13th February Cucumbers sown 10-12th March Melons sown 21st March Courgettes and Pumpkins sown 6-8th April 27/28 & 29th April - Root Days Moon ascending in Virgo so Earth/Root Days. Prick our celeriac again sown 22-25th February. Then lift leeks sown 22-25th February, and leave them to dry on soil for 2 days, top and tail and then re-plant them. Thin out parsnips sown 22-24th March and carrots and turnips sown 9-11th April -remember to earth these up well and keep weed free. 30th April - Flower Day and Full Moon -Excellent day to crystallise flowers for cake decorations, they will last at least twice as long -Also make Flower Syrups (Violet, really good, and make use of the last primroses) Make Dandelion Jam. Plant tuberous Begonias/Cannas/Dahlias and Gladioli. Plant out Cauliflowers and Broccoli. Prick out petunias and Busy Lizzies (Impatiens) sown 26th February This makes a really busy end to the month, but how rewarding! -Obelixx in Saint Brieuc I found a selection of Mr Fothergill Seeds for sale in Noz 39cents a packet! (Okay so the instructions are in Polish but there are pictures! Plus Summer Bulbs 99cents a Pack -Look this chain of shops up on Internet there may well be one near you. 'Action' is also worth a visit at the moment with Roses 3.99Euros each Buy 2 get 1 Free Hope all is well with everybody. While I was away (Only 3 days!) Brussel Sprouts and Kale sprouted. King Edward Potatoes and Spring Onions are up in Raised Bed and Cats told off as have lost second sowing of peas to mice or voles. Hey Ho -That's gardening!
Hello , thanks for up date , never heard that about leeks , only one way to find out if it works is to try it , I have no leeks to try it with Pain about the Peas , more Cat training needed ? 🐈 Glad show went well hope Next does as well Having Polish relatives , I would recommend planting the seeds , while having a glass of Vodka 🥃 Allotment coming on nicely after the late start due to bad weather
I have only ever planted leeks bought in bundles of 50 or so in Belgium and did learn to trim those before planting just cos it makes them easier to dib in. Here I found 24 individual leeks in plugs at the fair in Angles and just planted them as they were after a couple of days in a tray. They seem to be doing fine so far.
I planted my toms out a couple of weeks ago because they were cooking in the PolyT before OH got the shade net back up. I cover them every evening so they don't get a shock but have still lost 2. Both the same variety so maybe a weak plant anyway. Bought some more babies on Sunday and they are staying inside till nights get warmer, as will the spaghetti squashes I'm about to pot on.
You can google for sowing info on the Fothergill's site I expect BF. .
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)."
Oberlix , mentioning poly/t , reminded me that beginning of last week had to take Bubble rap out of g/h and put up shading as temperatures where 90 plus since then weather not been so good , way it goes
Hi Everyone-This has been a very active few days and I blame the Full Moon! plus Saturn in Sagittarius in the South South East and above to the right of Mars -Such proximity normally leads to stormy weather and very changeable conditions. The w/e was really windy, and I played Mary Poppins hanging onto our tent for grim life at the Fair plus it was freezing!! Not many visitors ventured out but I did return triumphant on Monday clutching a Vietnamese Coriander (Not come across this before) plus 1 Clematis Armanii and Clematis Niobe to clamber over dogwood that I had cut back too much last Autumn and is now very much 'mort'! -Drove back through snowstorm!!! -Have checked Moon Weather Calender and I see Storms were predicted for 28th and it was indeed glorious weather 19-22nd. - Monday afternoon saw me saving the neighbour's cockerel from a fox attack and yesterday saw me with Pushkin up the vet's with an abscess on his tail -very poorly indeed. No sign of fighting -vet thinks it may have been a thorn. So, this is why I am late with Weather Report and Calender for May. The good news is that May would appear to be better for all of us, particularly between the 5-11th when we shall not be blamed for thinking that Summer has arrived. Watch out however for storms 5-6th 9-10 and 13th. Between the 15-17th it becomes changeable again with 18th -22nd being overclouded and cooler. From 23rd expect Summery weather again. Here is the Lunar Calender for 4-16th May 4-6th May - Moon ascending in Sagittarius so Fruit Days. Sow Runner Beans.Haricot Beans.Mangetouts and Peas, sowing them in poc kets of 5's. (My Broad Beans are fantastic grown on in 3's -doing really well) Renew these sowing once a month (On Fruit Days) until July. On 6th Moon apogee so no gardening before 6.40am (Not sure if you would be out there anyway?!) 7-8th May - Moon ascending in Capricorn but on 7th watch out for Noued descending so avoid gardening before 4.30pm -Root Days - Sow Beetroot for Autumn Crops and Chicory. Sow Leeks for Winter cropping. 9-10th May - Moon ascending in Aquarius Flower Days. Sow Cauliflower and Broccoli in Nursery Bed for Autumn crops. 11/12/13/14th May*(*up to 3.03pm) - Moon ascending in Pisecs so Leaf Days. Plant out Salad Crops and sow coriander and parsley in the shade. Sow Beet and Spinach for pulling for salads (Makes a super alternative to lettuce especially mixed with Beetroot leaves. In France this is called Mesclun, particularly if you add wild flowers and Rocket.) Sow Brussel Sprouts and Winter Cabbage in Nursery Bed. 14th from 3.03pm/15th May - Fruit Days again with Moon in Aries -Sow Courgettes/Cucumbers and decorative Pumpkins outside. 16/17th May - New Moon 12.48pm on 16th - Root Days Sow Winter Carrots and Winter Radish (Mouli) Sow Salsify. On 17th Moon Perigee so do not garden after 5pm. Hope this lot will keep you going! -Garden really coming alive now. Looking forward to w/e off with no Fairs, I can get to grip with weeding etc. Anyway Oven's blown up!!! so can't bake anyway. Looking for new Cooker tomorrow. Happy Gardening!
Hello , weather has certainly been variable , blooming cold , windy , rain and hail stones , however , sun ☀️ pop out occasionally , infact has been a nice couple of days Hope Pushkin gets better Fighting the weeds at allotment and at moment and feel like we are winning Many thanks for update
Thanks BF. I picked up some Vietnamese "basil" and more toms and some squashes at the Potager Extraordinaire which is an organic place growing heritage variety toms and squashes organically. It's open for plant sales for a couple of Saturdays in May and then all July and August for visitors to see the plants and the various growing techniques. The "basil" is actually a form of polygonatum/persicaria. Went to a plant fair at Le Beugnon on Saturday and cmae home witha tulip tree and some other perennials and shrubs but I now have an ample sufficiency of tomatoes.
Another plant fair on Saturday at Vouvant with nurserymen and women as well as "hobbyists" selling a wide range of plants.
GW - we now have the shading net over the PT and open the doors by day but it's been so called recently we've kept it closed and the outdoor toms have been tucked up under their cloches. Our weeds are growing like mad but the potatoes and garlic are doing very well too.
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)."
Posts
Anyway onwards to Lunar Calender from 24-30th April
24/25 and 26th April up to 1.16pm - Moon descending in Leo so Fruit and Grain days. If not too cold -Plant out Aubergines/Peppers and Chillies sown 14-16th January. Tomatoes sown 11-13th February Cucumbers sown 10-12th March Melons sown 21st March Courgettes and Pumpkins sown 6-8th April
27/28 & 29th April - Root Days Moon ascending in Virgo so Earth/Root Days. Prick our celeriac again sown 22-25th February. Then lift leeks sown 22-25th February, and leave them to dry on soil for 2 days, top and tail and then re-plant them. Thin out parsnips sown 22-24th March and carrots and turnips sown 9-11th April -remember to earth these up well and keep weed free.
30th April - Flower Day and Full Moon -Excellent day to crystallise flowers for cake decorations, they will last at least twice as long -Also make Flower Syrups (Violet, really good, and make use of the last primroses) Make Dandelion Jam. Plant tuberous Begonias/Cannas/Dahlias and Gladioli. Plant out Cauliflowers and Broccoli. Prick out petunias and Busy Lizzies (Impatiens) sown 26th February
This makes a really busy end to the month, but how rewarding! -Obelixx in Saint Brieuc I found a selection of Mr Fothergill Seeds for sale in Noz 39cents a packet! (Okay so the instructions are in Polish but there are pictures! Plus Summer Bulbs 99cents a Pack -Look this chain of shops up on Internet there may well be one near you. 'Action' is also worth a visit at the moment with Roses 3.99Euros each Buy 2 get 1 Free
Hope all is well with everybody. While I was away (Only 3 days!) Brussel Sprouts and Kale sprouted. King Edward Potatoes and Spring Onions are up in Raised Bed and Cats told off as have lost second sowing of peas to mice or voles. Hey Ho -That's gardening!
Pain about the Peas , more Cat training needed ? 🐈
Glad show went well hope Next does as well
Having Polish relatives , I would recommend planting the seeds , while having a glass of Vodka 🥃
Allotment coming on nicely after the late start due to bad weather
I planted my toms out a couple of weeks ago because they were cooking in the PolyT before OH got the shade net back up. I cover them every evening so they don't get a shock but have still lost 2. Both the same variety so maybe a weak plant anyway. Bought some more babies on Sunday and they are staying inside till nights get warmer, as will the spaghetti squashes I'm about to pot on.
You can google for sowing info on the Fothergill's site I expect BF. .
The w/e was really windy, and I played Mary Poppins hanging onto our tent for grim life at the Fair plus it was freezing!! Not many visitors ventured out but I did return triumphant on Monday clutching a Vietnamese Coriander (Not come across this before) plus 1 Clematis Armanii and Clematis Niobe to clamber over dogwood that I had cut back too much last Autumn and is now very much 'mort'! -Drove back through snowstorm!!! -Have checked Moon Weather Calender and I see Storms were predicted for 28th and it was indeed glorious weather 19-22nd. - Monday afternoon saw me saving the neighbour's cockerel from a fox attack and yesterday saw me with Pushkin up the vet's with an abscess on his tail -very poorly indeed. No sign of fighting -vet thinks it may have been a thorn.
So, this is why I am late with Weather Report and Calender for May.
The good news is that May would appear to be better for all of us, particularly between the 5-11th when we shall not be blamed for thinking that Summer has arrived. Watch out however for storms 5-6th 9-10 and 13th. Between the 15-17th it becomes changeable again with 18th -22nd being overclouded and cooler. From 23rd expect Summery weather again.
Here is the Lunar Calender for 4-16th May
4-6th May - Moon ascending in Sagittarius so Fruit Days. Sow Runner Beans.Haricot Beans.Mangetouts and Peas, sowing them in poc kets of 5's. (My Broad Beans are fantastic grown on in 3's -doing really well) Renew these sowing once a month (On Fruit Days) until July. On 6th Moon apogee so no gardening before 6.40am (Not sure if you would be out there anyway?!)
7-8th May - Moon ascending in Capricorn but on 7th watch out for Noued descending so avoid gardening before 4.30pm -Root Days - Sow Beetroot for Autumn Crops and Chicory. Sow Leeks for Winter cropping.
9-10th May - Moon ascending in Aquarius Flower Days. Sow Cauliflower and Broccoli in Nursery Bed for Autumn crops.
11/12/13/14th May*(*up to 3.03pm) - Moon ascending in Pisecs so Leaf Days. Plant out Salad Crops and sow coriander and parsley in the shade. Sow Beet and Spinach for pulling for salads (Makes a super alternative to lettuce especially mixed with Beetroot leaves. In France this is called Mesclun, particularly if you add wild flowers and Rocket.) Sow Brussel Sprouts and Winter Cabbage in Nursery Bed.
14th from 3.03pm/15th May - Fruit Days again with Moon in Aries -Sow Courgettes/Cucumbers and decorative Pumpkins outside.
16/17th May - New Moon 12.48pm on 16th - Root Days Sow Winter Carrots and Winter Radish (Mouli) Sow Salsify. On 17th Moon Perigee so do not garden after 5pm.
Hope this lot will keep you going! -Garden really coming alive now. Looking forward to w/e off with no Fairs, I can get to grip with weeding etc. Anyway Oven's blown up!!! so can't bake anyway. Looking for new Cooker tomorrow.
Happy Gardening!
Hope Pushkin gets better
Fighting the weeds at allotment and at moment and feel like we are winning
Many thanks for update
Another plant fair on Saturday at Vouvant with nurserymen and women as well as "hobbyists" selling a wide range of plants.
GW - we now have the shading net over the PT and open the doors by day but it's been so called recently we've kept it closed and the outdoor toms have been tucked up under their cloches. Our weeds are growing like mad but the potatoes and garlic are doing very well too.