20 bulbs of supposedly Early Purple Wight that I ordered from eBay - but I didn't realise that it was coming from China - so I am little dubious on that.
20 bulbs of Solent Wight from a UK supplier.
5 Persian Star & 5 Susan Delafield that was kindly sent to me free of charge by a lady whole specialises in garlic.
As I have got in to baking - n.b.I am not good but I am trier (like most thinks I do..) the plan is to make some garlic flatbreads next summer and see if we can taste the difference.
As mentioned above, the horse much is free and is 100 odd yards away. I just have to climb over the gate with 'me' spade and bags. The newer stuff is at the front so just go to the older stuff at the back. It is hard graft for an old codger (51) like me...fill the bags, then hump them over the gate and in to the boot. It would help if I went when the 'horsey' people were there as I would have to lift them over the gate. The car is old so a bit of horse smell is fine with me
Anyway after planting the garlic I weeded the bed in the back garden as I had loads of alliums to plant. They are late in, as I read that they should have gone in, in Sept/Oct, so that is my own fault for being so dis-organised. So went and got another 12 bags of manure.
Hopefully when I cut back on the wine after New Year with all this hard graft I may lose the love handles and a bit of the belly !!
My only regret is that my dad who was a brilliant gardener isn't here. We grew up in Zambia as my dad emigrated to work in the copper mines. Well he used to grow fruit & veg and sell it to the mine mess, which was a place mainly for the single fellas to eat. I can remember during school holidays picking big plastic bowls of strawberries every few days.
Oh I wondered how much those bags of manure weighed. Weighed two and one was 23Kgs and the other 20Kgs. I will then go on 20kgs when I estimate how much I end of shifting.
This is the garlic planed. It doesn't stretch as far as the manure does. I think another 12 bags next weekend should cover the rest of the bed.
Alliums bed in the back garden
Daffs & crocuses in the planters. Not sure it's sunny enough where they are but let's see what happens.
n.b. to cover all the beds in the allotment with manure I think that I will need about 240 bags in all
Currently getting 24 per weekend....
Oh and a question - is it too late to get broad beans in, in South Yorkshire?
The theory is that, this is is a more natural way i.e. that is how nature works and nature manages perfectly well. I understand that it's not for everyone, but I am giving it a go.
robin. white I am going to sow broad beans this week think it would be ok for you to sow them
good lot of horse manure there should be great for plot - really need to put the muck down, hope it is fine to sow beans in it after a day or two it is well rotted
Haha you must be psychic. Honestly I was thinking I must do an update on Sunday.
Garlic planted except for the elephant garlic which came today. I planted loads of broad bens last Sunday and covered with old horse manure. Fingers crossed.
More manure digging this weekend. Each bag weighs about 22kgs and I try to dig 12 at a time. I have so much to cover plus the beds in the garden.
The geraniums on the allotment will be cut back, dug up and potted tomorrow, as I need the place where they are for my autumn raspberries that I am waiting for.
Outside the house and opposite the allotment is small very old Quaker graveyard. I will getting loads of bags of leaves to make in to leafmould. I only have the white plastic 'knitted' bags. I know black is ideal but heyho. They will let the leaves breath though.
Lastly will be getting more new horse poo from next to the allotment as it can go straight in to the compost bin. Busy bee
Well we are on the couch and I am starting my 3rd glass of wine as my bones seize up.
23 bags of straw and newish poo. Bob wants it for the greenhouse to break down over winter (Bob who I got the allotment from and who is next to me).
Then 11 bags of old manure. Planted my 10 bulbs of elephant garlic. All garlic now planted.
Just hoping the Aquadulce broad broad beans come up that I planted last weekend. Planted direct in the ground.
Just remembered I need to plant the hardwood cuttings I took last weekend from my cousin. Red, white and black berries - 4 of each. Will need to do that tomorrow and also pick some Brussel sprouts for my mum as I really don't like them.
Posts
Planted the garlic this morning in the rain !!
20 bulbs of supposedly Early Purple Wight that I ordered from eBay - but I didn't realise that it was coming from China - so I am little dubious on that.
20 bulbs of Solent Wight from a UK supplier.
5 Persian Star & 5 Susan Delafield that was kindly sent to me free of charge by a lady whole specialises in garlic.
As I have got in to baking - n.b.I am not good but I am trier (like most thinks I do..) the plan is to make some garlic flatbreads next summer and see if we can taste the difference.
As mentioned above, the horse much is free and is 100 odd yards away. I just have to climb over the gate with 'me' spade and bags. The newer stuff is at the front so just go to the older stuff at the back. It is hard graft for an old codger (51) like me...fill the bags, then hump them over the gate and in to the boot. It would help if I went when the 'horsey' people were there as I would have to lift them over the gate. The car is old so a bit of horse smell is fine with me
Anyway after planting the garlic I weeded the bed in the back garden as I had loads of alliums to plant. They are late in, as I read that they should have gone in, in Sept/Oct, so that is my own fault for being so dis-organised. So went and got another 12 bags of manure.
Hopefully when I cut back on the wine after New Year with all this hard graft I may lose the love handles and a bit of the belly !!
My only regret is that my dad who was a brilliant gardener isn't here. We grew up in Zambia as my dad emigrated to work in the copper mines. Well he used to grow fruit & veg and sell it to the mine mess, which was a place mainly for the single fellas to eat. I can remember during school holidays picking big plastic bowls of strawberries every few days.
Oh I wondered how much those bags of manure weighed. Weighed two and one was 23Kgs and the other 20Kgs. I will then go on 20kgs when I estimate how much I end of shifting.
This is the garlic planed. It doesn't stretch as far as the manure does. I think another 12 bags next weekend should cover the rest of the bed.
Alliums bed in the back garden
Daffs & crocuses in the planters. Not sure it's sunny enough where they are but let's see what happens.
n.b. to cover all the beds in the allotment with manure I think that I will need about 240 bags in all
Currently getting 24 per weekend....
Oh and a question - is it too late to get broad beans in, in South Yorkshire?
aym I am trying to go along the 'no dig' root (pun intended').
If you fancy reading about it have a look here http://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/
The theory is that, this is is a more natural way i.e. that is how nature works and nature manages perfectly well. I understand that it's not for everyone, but I am giving it a go.
Less digging, less watering, less weeding.
Hehe will do.
robin. white I am going to sow broad beans this week think it would be ok for you to sow them
good lot of horse manure there should be great for plot - really need to put the muck down, hope it is fine to sow beans in it after a day or two it is well rotted
Hello , just wondered how you are getting one now the weathers turning ?
Haha you must be psychic. Honestly I was thinking I must do an update on Sunday.
Garlic planted except for the elephant garlic which came today. I planted loads of broad bens last Sunday and covered with old horse manure. Fingers crossed.
More manure digging this weekend. Each bag weighs about 22kgs and I try to dig 12 at a time. I have so much to cover plus the beds in the garden.
The geraniums on the allotment will be cut back, dug up and potted tomorrow, as I need the place where they are for my autumn raspberries that I am waiting for.
Outside the house and opposite the allotment is small very old Quaker graveyard. I will getting loads of bags of leaves to make in to leafmould. I only have the white plastic 'knitted' bags. I know black is ideal but heyho. They will let the leaves breath though.
Lastly will be getting more new horse poo from next to the allotment as it can go straight in to the compost bin. Busy bee
How is everyone else getting on?
Haha we are strange having a desire to collect poo.
It is hard graft but worth it I hope. As well as the geraniums I also need to lift the carnations as they are not for me.
Hello , got visitors coming tomorrow until Monday which was unexpected so things I wanted to do , have been delayed particularly at the Allotment
Weathers getting colder which I don't mind , if spending day at allotment I will have a little fire while having lunch
Need to get broad bean , peas , spring onions in under clouches and garlic planted
A bit more diging to do and general repairs to fence & storage shed , always something to do which I like
Well we are on the couch and I am starting my 3rd glass of wine as my bones seize up.
23 bags of straw and newish poo. Bob wants it for the greenhouse to break down over winter (Bob who I got the allotment from and who is next to me).
Then 11 bags of old manure. Planted my 10 bulbs of elephant garlic. All garlic now planted.
Just hoping the Aquadulce broad broad beans come up that I planted last weekend. Planted direct in the ground.
Just remembered I need to plant the hardwood cuttings I took last weekend from my cousin. Red, white and black berries - 4 of each. Will need to do that tomorrow and also pick some Brussel sprouts for my mum as I really don't like them.
Robin , home grown sprouts taste so much better , in my opion , than shop bought ones
Always grow them now , don't think mine are ready to harvest yet ?