"Winter proper" Bits and Bobs.

[Clive.]

Called at a local garden centre this afternoon whilst out and about in the rain visiting work. Purchased 2 bags of seed Potatoes. Swift and Duke of York. 2.5Kg bags £3.75.

Sadly unseen within the Duke of York bag 5 were suspect and 2 of these were quite rotten... Quite small seed so the number of intact is still ok...unless more go... I don't recall growing this variety at home here ever so thought I would try them and see.

We had stopped growing Swift after we had those that refused to chit a couple of years ago. Today's have their eyes open ok.

Had a sort through the eaters this morning and have picked out for seed 30+ each of Ambo and Kestrel.

Clive.

[Monika]

I ordered my seed potatoes in October and hope that I will get the varieties I wanted because, it appears, GOOD seed potatoes will be quite scarce this year. and I am not surprised after least season's weather:

I have risked it and totalled our rainfall for this year earlier this evening (hoping that it will stay dry until midnight). It came to 1642mm (= 64.65 inches), 205mm of those in December. The driest month was March with 19.5mm.

Philip Eden of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph said that, up to 29.12., the average rainfall in England and Wales in 2012 was 47.24 inches, 126% of the long term average, so our 64.65 inches must be jolly side more!

All the best for 2013 everyone!

[Westi]

Monika - Did you ask for wellington's for Xmas!

Westi

[Gerry]

Hi Clive,

I tried Red Duke of York this last year and the slug damage was very bad so wont be trying them again. I don't know if the white ones will fair better.

Regards, Gerry.

[oldherbaceous]

No members or no guests on this morning, have i missed something.

[Arnie]

Hi OH,

I am still here just being quiet I am about to tuck into a couple of slices of thickly cut home made bread which I have toasted and spread generously with Marmite

Hope you and all forum members have a brilliant 2013


Kind Regards

Arnie

[Clive.]

Mum has just been adding up last years rainfall from her notes on the kitchen calender.
Tallies up to 1016mm. (it was 527mm for 2011)

So it seems that we are still the relatively drier side of England.....

Happy New Year,

Clive.

[Monika]

Westi, I already LIVE in wellies! Even just walking through the village to pick up the paper, I don my faithful Nora wellies.

The forecast for today was "dry and mainly sunny". What did we get: a few sunny spells between some hefty showers and heavily overcast skies the rest of the day. Well, at least the days are getting longer - in the afternoon.

[Clive.]

A dry sunny day here...so the spade had another good run. A bit heavy going as the area had been home to 2 rows of Potatoes that had been forked out when it was plenty wet. I did find a few that I had missed...some intact but some empty cases courtesy of the slugs.

Good to get this patch of ground lifted up. ...to dry.??

Suspect the slugs mouths will be watering at the other end of the garden at the prospect of some Duke of Yorks this year then.


Back to work tomorrow so the rest will have to wait for a weekend...

Clive.

[Westi]

Clive - you are officially 'Mr Dig'! I'm exhausted just looking at your efforts!

Westi

[oldherbaceous]

And i'm very envious, had a look at the soil today, and it's still miles to wet to try and get on. At this rate i'll be adopting the no dig system for two of my allotments.

[vegpatchmum]

Been having fun planning what and where I'll be growing next year. I fancy having a try at some brassicas again but space really is the issue.

That said the greyhound cabbage I grew with the school last season seemed quite a compact plant which didn't take up acres of space either across or height ways and yet produced some very nice sized cabbages. Any ideas for cauliflowers or broccoli varieties will be gratefully received

Can't believe that in a month I'll be sowing the first of the tomatoes, chillis and sweet peppers again (in a windowsill propagator in the house that is )

VPM
x

[oldherbaceous]

Been outside finishing off a little job, and the wind is bitterly cold. It has also just started snowing. No digging again today, will i ever be able to get it finished, of course i will.

[Clive.]

I would like to think I might manage a bit more digging at home here today...but there are some snowy looking clouds towards the coast. I was actually surprised we hadn't got a dusting this morning as last night it went still and quiet in a pre snow like fashion.

I mentioned the work Cinerarias a while back and that they were racing forward...perhaps I sowed too early.? I decided to move them to the North facing greenhouse to see if I can hold them a bit..but below are a couple of them that I left in the front and are in full flower. Behind are the older collection of Regal Pelargoniums that we trimmed up and re-potted yesterday morning. The camera had been in the cold in the car...I suspect the cause of the steamy looking photos.

Clive.

[oldherbaceous]

Morning Clive, i must say, your photographs brighten up the dullest of days.

I meant to say the other week, Clive, you appear to have no picture on your avatar! Not sure if anyone else can see it?

Dear VPM, sorry i have not replied earlier but, Igloo is a small Cauliflower, but you nust pick it at not a lot larger then tennis ball size, or they soon go over. But you can plant them close together.