Well, there we are - Woke up to pouring rain and strong winds. No way could I do the Farmer's Market this morning. Just rescued Sunflowers that were being bashed by gale. Used a pair of old tights to secure them to fence. Cats all in bed which usually means bad weather! So glad I have a polytunnel, Poplar branches all over the ground, if I'd had a glass house it would have suffered. Last crop Beans not sprouted so given up on that outdoors before Autumn. Peas and beetroot ok, but not as good as last year. Flowers continue to delight - First time I have sown them according to Lunar Calender and I am converted - Dahlias/Cosmos/Mesembrianthemum/Osteospernum all from seed are huge and flowering well, better than previous bought in plants. Parsley self seeding this year - never done that before, will let babies grow on and cover with cloche as usual to ensure winter bunches for cauliflower in white sauce. Broccoli thriving under Environmesh - No caterpiller invasion yet although slugs persist. Have now got a baby hedgehog in the garden so he helps - No idea where he has come from. Sun coming out so may go and have another inspection as want to gather blackberries for pie tonight - Just beginning to ripen. Outdoor cucumbers just plumping up - Look like gherkins at the moment - hope they get bigger!
21/22 August Flower Days. Take cuttings from roses and prick out perrenials sown 15th July.
23rd August Leaf Day Trim evergreen hedges.24th August same as 23rd but no gardening before 12.10am as moon at furtherst point from earth so ineffective
25/26th August Fruit Days After final harvest prune peaches and apricots. Plant new strawberries and keep moist to establish roots.
27/28/30 August Root Days (No gardening on 29th after 9.10am) Lift the last Potatoes and onions. Thin Winter radishes sown 17-20th August.
31st August Plant potted perenials. Plant and divide tree peonies but don't bury the roots too deep.
I planted a load of kale, Savoy cabbage and red cabbage a few weeks ago on a leaf day along with some spinach in the hopes I would get leafy plants as I like beetrrot leaves in salads. They've been hopeless but the cabbages all romped away. I just hope the slugs haven't had them all in my absence as apparently it's been wet for two weeks.
Back home late tomorrow so grass cutting and pest checking will be a priority on Sunday. After that I need to know the best days for taking cuttings for overwintering if your calendar has that info please.
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)."
Looks as though next best date for taking cuttings is 8th September, although 1st September mentioned for warmer regions (As we are supposed to be having a warmer spell now - go for it on these dates as they are flower days - I have just popped a few in pots in the greenhouse, although the coldframe was just as good last year)
Lunar Calender 1st Sept-10th Sept
1st Sept Flower Day - As above take cuttings in warmer regions to guarantee chance of them taking before first frosts and shorter days.
2/3rd September Leaf Days - Blanche Celery and scaroles
4/5th September -Fruit Days - Harvest Beans for drying - Put them in the freezer for several days then thaw and store - This kills any grubs that might have entered the seed where it will continue to munch dried seeds stored in jars if left untouched. (Never heard of this!) Gather apples and pears, raspberries and strawberries.
6/7th September - Root Days In mild regions sow red / yellow & spring onions in nursery bed.
8th September - Flower Day but no gardening before 9,35am. Take perrenial cuttings and sow annuals for early flowering next year.
9/10/11th September - Leaf Days prepare and sow lawn seed in bare patches as required. Sow green manures/lambs lettuce and spinach.
Just in passing - I too have had lousy leaf crops this year - Don't think it is to do with the moon though, as many of my friends who take no notice of the lunar calender have had the same problem - Just think this year has been weird - Such a warm/April May and wet at the wrong times. Still that doesn't prevent me being disappointed and somewhat defeated! Trying some late peas on the staging in the greenhouse (away from voles) They are really doing well - Just hope they crop before the Autumn (Kelvedon Wonder do best for me) Toms ripening now and cucumbers grown for first time really good. Lettuse trying (very trying!) Flowers fantastic - Thrilled with sowing of these and will do them again next year. Broccoli covered in Environmesh doing well and foiling cabbage whites at present. Broccoli seedling romping away in greenhouse - will pot them on to stay in cold frame this Winter. May try lettuce in greenhouse - not sure.
Sorry for silence - Computer out of order 5 days! here is Calender 16 - 26th Sept.
16th Sept Root Days as per 14/15th Sow Carrots and keep well watered. Sow leeks by scattering seed as opposed to lines, then thin - no need to replant this way.
17/18th Sept - Flower Days Plant Spring Bulbs and associate them with bi-annuals sown 17/18 June and 15th July. Prick out pansies & violas sown 11/12 august.
19/20 Sept Leaf Days Take cuttings of evergreen shrubs. Prick out Cabbage sown 12/15 august
21/22/23 Sept -Fruit Days Plant out new strawberries or runners from old stock 30cms apart and spacing rows 40cms to allow for healthy growth start with no fighting! Plant out pot grown fruit. Place a slate or brick under members of the pumpkin family to encourage ripening and stop damp rot.
24/25/26th Sept - Root Days again Start planting out onions sown 9/10th August. Choose a well exposed position with plent of light, shorten leafs and root nearer the bulb to encourage swifter new growth. Do not water. No gardening after 1.40pm on 25th.
My Winter Spinach is now sprouting plus Rocket. Tomatoes have nearly finished. Now have to get to grips with green manuring which I have never done. Anyone else tried this for covering bare earth in Winter?
Thanks for this. No time for gardening this week apart from spraying weeds in paths and cobbled terraces as busy with teh start of teh dance club season.
Will be trying my first ever green manure in teh potager if all goes to plan. Having difficulty locating seeds round here but may be able to get some from neighbouring riding stables and animal farm or else order by mail from 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)."
Slight hiccup in Calender as I have been in hospital this week, so herewith Calender for 5-15th October. Sorry all.
5/6th October - Flower days though no gardening before 3.40pm on 6th as moon averse to earth.Sow climbing perrenial sweetpeas.
7//9th October -Leaf days No gardening on the 8th otherwise Sow Winter spinach outside but protect under a tunnel once weather cools. Sow mustard/rye or other green cereal on empty ground to dig in in Spring as humus.
10th October - Fruit Day In mild regions sow Broad Beans. A catch crop can be had before the frosts hit.
11/12/13th October - Root Days Sow radishes under cover. Mild October's give one the chance to 'catch crop' salads still.
14/15th October - Flower Days Plant bi-annuals and perrenials sown on 15th July.
Plant out Spring Bulbs. Protect artichokes, cut back lower leaves and earth up by 25cms. Pack straw or bracken around them in cold weather.
How are you all getting on? My tomatoes have been really good, but have still failed dismally with peas and salad crops this year , except NOW the lettuces have decided to wake up and start filling out - A bit late!!
My oakleaf lettuce looked just fine last weekend and I was hoping they'd be ready for eating as of this weekend but the ver hot week we've just had has made the all bolt. However the kale and Savoys and broccoli and re cabbage are all doing well. No other veg left so thinking of sowing red clover if I can cadge some seeds from my farmer neigbours or covering with black plastic to see off the weeds.
I did stock up on some spring bulbs at the plant fair yesterday so will be sure to get them planted.
Hop all is well now and that you are OK.
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)."
Just returned from UK clutching a new fork and shovel plus a packet of Broad beans. None of these items available here! Following quick inspection of potager and greenhouse remembered had to write Calender! Have just sown Rye as green manure and agree all brassicas doing really well obelixx
Lunar Calender 20-30th October
20th October Fruit Day - Plant out pot grown fruit, and chop off spent strawberry leaves and burn them to avoid spreading any diseases. Treat pruned trees and raspberry canes with Bordeaux Mixture to protect cut surfaces.
21/22/23 (No gardening 23rd)/24 October Root Days - Plant Shallots and gather roots that don't like cold and wet weather. Protect other root crops with fleece or cloches. Thin carrots sown 3/4th October. Plant out onions sown 6/7th September
25th October - Flower Day Plant out pansies and violas sown 11/12th August Finish planting out shrubs and perennials sold in containers. Cut down Begonias/cannas/dahlias and gladioli if they are dying back.
26/27th October Leaf Days - Plant chicory roots and cover them with straw or black plastic to blanche.
28/29th October Fruit Days - In mild regions sow dwarf peas (not wrinkled varieties) and Mange tous. (Think this is very optimistic in UK but who knows with this wonderful weather that we are having - I think I'll sow some in the greenhouse to go with the broad beans that I bought back from UK yesterday)
30/31st October Root Days - Sow Root Chervil and cover lightly with soil, thin out when they have 4-5 leaves.
There we are - Happy Gardening and happy Halloween!
Buried myself indoors this morning as high winds and lashing rain. So glad I spent last 2 summery days gardening. Thrilled Broad Beans and Spring onions have sprouted in greenhouse (on top of staging and netted well away from hungry voles!) Dug up asparagus bed yesterday as fed up with it - Threw away weedy specimens and replanted 7 giant survivors in a square plot and closer together (I know this is not the classic method but tryining it out to save space and open up more land for veg)
Here is the Lunar Calender 1-17th November.
1st Nov - Root Day Sow short carrots and radishes under cloches
2nd Nov - Flower Day In mild regions prune hydrangeas and cut out old wood.
3/4/5th Nov - Leaf Days On 3rd No gardening before 5.30am (As if we would!) Harvest lambs lettuce/spinach/lettuce and if you have had a frost the first Brussel Sprouts (Think this must have been written assuming that we are all freezing during a normal November!) Cut down Tarragon and cover with leaf mould.
6//7th Nov - Fruit Days If you have olives (possible but not likely in UK ) after they have dropped take them to your local mill to extract the oil (Inserted this piece as felt it would be interesting for you to see what we get up to in France! -Store apples in dry and airy place checking regularly for one's 'going over' or bruised.
8/9/10th Nov - Root Days Benefit from this quiet period to make a list of your successes and failures and plan ahead for next year. Take particular note of soil tests results after the growing season to note what nutrition/fertilizers you may need to add to boost next year's crops.
11/12 Nov - Flower Days After the first frosts cut down and lift Begonias/Dahlias/Cannas and Gladioli. Bring them in and store upside down in a cool dark dry place with air circulating between tubers/bulbs.Dig up and throw away annuals. Plant potted clematis. Plant Day Lilies and Paonies.
13th Nov - Leaf Day Blanch Endive/Cardoons and Celery. Wash off dandelions and cover with cloches for tasty winter salads.
14th-17th Nov - Fruit Days No gardening before 6am on the 15th. Otherwise if it is not frosty Plant bare root fruit trees, enriching the ground with compost and bonemeal. Stake well against winter winds, water well with 2 watering cans full of rainwater in preference to tap water. When leaves have fallen from fruit trees spray with Bordeaux Mixture to protect against winter bacteria and insect attack. Take cuttings from Figs by cutting off an 8-10inch (20-30cm) piece of woody stem and put a cross in the bottom before potting up in sand and compost and place against a north facing wall. (Sorry don't know why Does anyone know?) Earth up Broad Beans sown 9-10th October to protect against root rock)
Well there we are - How have you got on this year. How were the harvests - Any different to standard gardening? I shall continue Calender into Feb 2015 as promised but it would be interesting to see how many people felt a benefit using the Lunar Calender. I definately have found it strange how dates have tallied with sowing and sprouting plus planting out, but I cannot honestly say that my crops have been better so far. Year 3 will give me a better picture I think. Happy Gardening.
Posts
Well, there we are - Woke up to pouring rain and strong winds. No way could I do the Farmer's Market this morning. Just rescued Sunflowers that were being bashed by gale. Used a pair of old tights to secure them to fence. Cats all in bed which usually means bad weather! So glad I have a polytunnel, Poplar branches all over the ground, if I'd had a glass house it would have suffered. Last crop Beans not sprouted so given up on that outdoors before Autumn. Peas and beetroot ok, but not as good as last year. Flowers continue to delight - First time I have sown them according to Lunar Calender and I am converted - Dahlias/Cosmos/Mesembrianthemum/Osteospernum all from seed are huge and flowering well, better than previous bought in plants. Parsley self seeding this year - never done that before, will let babies grow on and cover with cloche as usual to ensure winter bunches for cauliflower in white sauce. Broccoli thriving under Environmesh - No caterpiller invasion yet although slugs persist. Have now got a baby hedgehog in the garden so he helps - No idea where he has come from. Sun coming out so may go and have another inspection as want to gather blackberries for pie tonight - Just beginning to ripen. Outdoor cucumbers just plumping up - Look like gherkins at the moment - hope they get bigger!
Happy Gardening
Lunar Calender 21st -31st August
21/22 August Flower Days. Take cuttings from roses and prick out perrenials sown 15th July.
23rd August Leaf Day Trim evergreen hedges.24th August same as 23rd but no gardening before 12.10am as moon at furtherst point from earth so ineffective
25/26th August Fruit Days After final harvest prune peaches and apricots. Plant new strawberries and keep moist to establish roots.
27/28/30 August Root Days (No gardening on 29th after 9.10am) Lift the last Potatoes and onions. Thin Winter radishes sown 17-20th August.
31st August Plant potted perenials. Plant and divide tree peonies but don't bury the roots too deep.
Happy gardening
Awayon hols at the mo so no gardening.
I planted a load of kale, Savoy cabbage and red cabbage a few weeks ago on a leaf day along with some spinach in the hopes I would get leafy plants as I like beetrrot leaves in salads. They've been hopeless but the cabbages all romped away. I just hope the slugs haven't had them all in my absence as apparently it's been wet for two weeks.
Back home late tomorrow so grass cutting and pest checking will be a priority on Sunday. After that I need to know the best days for taking cuttings for overwintering if your calendar has that info please.
Looks as though next best date for taking cuttings is 8th September, although 1st September mentioned for warmer regions (As we are supposed to be having a warmer spell now - go for it on these dates as they are flower days - I have just popped a few in pots in the greenhouse, although the coldframe was just as good last year)
Lunar Calender 1st Sept-10th Sept
1st Sept Flower Day - As above take cuttings in warmer regions to guarantee chance of them taking before first frosts and shorter days.
2/3rd September Leaf Days - Blanche Celery and scaroles
4/5th September -Fruit Days - Harvest Beans for drying - Put them in the freezer for several days then thaw and store - This kills any grubs that might have entered the seed where it will continue to munch dried seeds stored in jars if left untouched. (Never heard of this!) Gather apples and pears, raspberries and strawberries.
6/7th September - Root Days In mild regions sow red / yellow & spring onions in nursery bed.
8th September - Flower Day but no gardening before 9,35am. Take perrenial cuttings and sow annuals for early flowering next year.
9/10/11th September - Leaf Days prepare and sow lawn seed in bare patches as required. Sow green manures/lambs lettuce and spinach.
Just in passing - I too have had lousy leaf crops this year - Don't think it is to do with the moon though, as many of my friends who take no notice of the lunar calender have had the same problem - Just think this year has been weird - Such a warm/April May and wet at the wrong times. Still that doesn't prevent me being disappointed and somewhat defeated! Trying some late peas on the staging in the greenhouse (away from voles) They are really doing well - Just hope they crop before the Autumn (Kelvedon Wonder do best for me) Toms ripening now and cucumbers grown for first time really good. Lettuse trying (very trying!) Flowers fantastic - Thrilled with sowing of these and will do them again next year. Broccoli covered in Environmesh doing well and foiling cabbage whites at present. Broccoli seedling romping away in greenhouse - will pot them on to stay in cold frame this Winter. May try lettuce in greenhouse - not sure.
Happy Gardening
Sorry for silence - Computer out of order 5 days! here is Calender 16 - 26th Sept.
16th Sept Root Days as per 14/15th Sow Carrots and keep well watered. Sow leeks by scattering seed as opposed to lines, then thin - no need to replant this way.
17/18th Sept - Flower Days Plant Spring Bulbs and associate them with bi-annuals sown 17/18 June and 15th July. Prick out pansies & violas sown 11/12 august.
19/20 Sept Leaf Days Take cuttings of evergreen shrubs. Prick out Cabbage sown 12/15 august
21/22/23 Sept -Fruit Days Plant out new strawberries or runners from old stock 30cms apart and spacing rows 40cms to allow for healthy growth start with no fighting! Plant out pot grown fruit. Place a slate or brick under members of the pumpkin family to encourage ripening and stop damp rot.
24/25/26th Sept - Root Days again Start planting out onions sown 9/10th August. Choose a well exposed position with plent of light, shorten leafs and root nearer the bulb to encourage swifter new growth. Do not water. No gardening after 1.40pm on 25th.
My Winter Spinach is now sprouting plus Rocket. Tomatoes have nearly finished. Now have to get to grips with green manuring which I have never done. Anyone else tried this for covering bare earth in Winter?
Happy Gardening.
.
Thanks for this. No time for gardening this week apart from spraying weeds in paths and cobbled terraces as busy with teh start of teh dance club season.
Will be trying my first ever green manure in teh potager if all goes to plan. Having difficulty locating seeds round here but may be able to get some from neighbouring riding stables and animal farm or else order by mail from UK.
Slight hiccup in Calender as I have been in hospital this week, so herewith Calender for 5-15th October. Sorry all.
5/6th October - Flower days though no gardening before 3.40pm on 6th as moon averse to earth.Sow climbing perrenial sweetpeas.
7//9th October -Leaf days No gardening on the 8th otherwise Sow Winter spinach outside but protect under a tunnel once weather cools. Sow mustard/rye or other green cereal on empty ground to dig in in Spring as humus.
10th October - Fruit Day In mild regions sow Broad Beans. A catch crop can be had before the frosts hit.
11/12/13th October - Root Days Sow radishes under cover. Mild October's give one the chance to 'catch crop' salads still.
14/15th October - Flower Days Plant bi-annuals and perrenials sown on 15th July.
Plant out Spring Bulbs. Protect artichokes, cut back lower leaves and earth up by 25cms. Pack straw or bracken around them in cold weather.
How are you all getting on? My tomatoes have been really good, but have still failed dismally with peas and salad crops this year , except NOW the lettuces have decided to wake up and start filling out - A bit late!!
My oakleaf lettuce looked just fine last weekend and I was hoping they'd be ready for eating as of this weekend but the ver hot week we've just had has made the all bolt. However the kale and Savoys and broccoli and re cabbage are all doing well. No other veg left so thinking of sowing red clover if I can cadge some seeds from my farmer neigbours or covering with black plastic to see off the weeds.
I did stock up on some spring bulbs at the plant fair yesterday so will be sure to get them planted.
Hop all is well now and that you are OK.
Just returned from UK clutching a new fork and shovel plus a packet of Broad beans. None of these items available here! Following quick inspection of potager and greenhouse remembered had to write Calender! Have just sown Rye as green manure and agree all brassicas doing really well obelixx
Lunar Calender 20-30th October
20th October Fruit Day - Plant out pot grown fruit, and chop off spent strawberry leaves and burn them to avoid spreading any diseases. Treat pruned trees and raspberry canes with Bordeaux Mixture to protect cut surfaces.
21/22/23 (No gardening 23rd)/24 October Root Days - Plant Shallots and gather roots that don't like cold and wet weather. Protect other root crops with fleece or cloches. Thin carrots sown 3/4th October. Plant out onions sown 6/7th September
25th October - Flower Day Plant out pansies and violas sown 11/12th August Finish planting out shrubs and perennials sold in containers. Cut down Begonias/cannas/dahlias and gladioli if they are dying back.
26/27th October Leaf Days - Plant chicory roots and cover them with straw or black plastic to blanche.
28/29th October Fruit Days - In mild regions sow dwarf peas (not wrinkled varieties) and Mange tous. (Think this is very optimistic in UK but who knows with this wonderful weather that we are having - I think I'll sow some in the greenhouse to go with the broad beans that I bought back from UK yesterday)
30/31st October Root Days - Sow Root Chervil and cover lightly with soil, thin out when they have 4-5 leaves.
There we are - Happy Gardening and happy Halloween!
Buried myself indoors this morning as high winds and lashing rain. So glad I spent last 2 summery days gardening. Thrilled Broad Beans and Spring onions have sprouted in greenhouse (on top of staging and netted well away from hungry voles!) Dug up asparagus bed yesterday as fed up with it - Threw away weedy specimens and replanted 7 giant survivors in a square plot and closer together (I know this is not the classic method but tryining it out to save space and open up more land for veg)
Here is the Lunar Calender 1-17th November.
1st Nov - Root Day Sow short carrots and radishes under cloches
2nd Nov - Flower Day In mild regions prune hydrangeas and cut out old wood.
3/4/5th Nov - Leaf Days On 3rd No gardening before 5.30am (As if we would!) Harvest lambs lettuce/spinach/lettuce and if you have had a frost the first Brussel Sprouts (Think this must have been written assuming that we are all freezing during a normal November!) Cut down Tarragon and cover with leaf mould.
6//7th Nov - Fruit Days If you have olives (possible but not likely in UK ) after they have dropped take them to your local mill to extract the oil (Inserted this piece as felt it would be interesting for you to see what we get up to in France! -Store apples in dry and airy place checking regularly for one's 'going over' or bruised.
8/9/10th Nov - Root Days Benefit from this quiet period to make a list of your successes and failures and plan ahead for next year. Take particular note of soil tests results after the growing season to note what nutrition/fertilizers you may need to add to boost next year's crops.
11/12 Nov - Flower Days After the first frosts cut down and lift Begonias/Dahlias/Cannas and Gladioli. Bring them in and store upside down in a cool dark dry place with air circulating between tubers/bulbs.Dig up and throw away annuals. Plant potted clematis. Plant Day Lilies and Paonies.
13th Nov - Leaf Day Blanch Endive/Cardoons and Celery. Wash off dandelions and cover with cloches for tasty winter salads.
14th-17th Nov - Fruit Days No gardening before 6am on the 15th. Otherwise if it is not frosty Plant bare root fruit trees, enriching the ground with compost and bonemeal. Stake well against winter winds, water well with 2 watering cans full of rainwater in preference to tap water. When leaves have fallen from fruit trees spray with Bordeaux Mixture to protect against winter bacteria and insect attack. Take cuttings from Figs by cutting off an 8-10inch (20-30cm) piece of woody stem and put a cross in the bottom before potting up in sand and compost and place against a north facing wall. (Sorry don't know why Does anyone know?) Earth up Broad Beans sown 9-10th October to protect against root rock)
Well there we are - How have you got on this year. How were the harvests - Any different to standard gardening? I shall continue Calender into Feb 2015 as promised but it would be interesting to see how many people felt a benefit using the Lunar Calender. I definately have found it strange how dates have tallied with sowing and sprouting plus planting out, but I cannot honestly say that my crops have been better so far. Year 3 will give me a better picture I think. Happy Gardening.