Real spring bits and bobs

[Motherwoman]

Going up the allotment shortly for planting runners and sowing the next batch of peas. No2 son gets married tomorrow so got to get the gardening in today! Must remember to wear gloves... so my hands don't look too grubby tomorrow.

Went in to my mum's yesterday to find her on her knees planting her runners (she's 89) as my dad (91) realised he couldn't get down there this year!

MW

[JohnN]

Referring back to the Lancaster posts I will always remember that in the war, it would have been 1943 I guess, I was 10 and living on my parents little poultry farm in Surrey. One fine evening, just as I was being prepared for bed, my dad called out "Quick, Floss (my mum), bring John out to see this!" We rushed outside and looked up - the sky was absolutely black with aircraft heading towards the coast. The next morning the papers were full of reports on the "First thousand bomber raid".

[Clive.]

The one that my Mum always recalls being called to see, possibly by her mum, also "Floss", was the time the German airship Hindenburg overflew East Lincolnshire. She recalls seeing it from their front bedroom window and being frightened rigid after seeing it.

She says it was just as it was getting dark and checking just now on the 'net I see it would have been May 22nd 1936...it routed this way back from the USA and coasted out, leaving the UK, at Cromer at about 10pm...so that all tallies.

Clive.

[Clive.]

"I" have just found the Parsnip seed...best I go get that sown.. Thank you Mum for sorting through the seeds.

Clive.

[oldherbaceous]

I only got around to sowing my Parsnip seed a couple of days ago too, Clive. But hopefully it will be up within the week.

[Clive.]

We tend to sow them late, have done for several years now, but somehow it felt like I was getting behind with it...weeks seem to scream past...
The ground was just nicely damp...and lovely and warm in the glorious sunshine..

Clive.

[Westi]

Relief to hear about the parsnip sown late - I have sown twice & was fairly optimistic about the 2nd lot but playing hunt the parsnips in the weeds today was a no go!

I didn't stop to look at the thermometer today but had the sweat running into my eyes so hat out & more sunscreen applied! Got all the little plants from the greenhouse planted - should have done a count but was pak choy, celery, sweetcorn, French beans, cabbage, cauli, broccoli, aubergines, surplus toms, chillis, peppers & some sad broad beans. Had most of the beds ready fortunately but still had to weed them all again!

Then like a silly billy thought a quick divert to the beach on way home would be a good idea! Dooh!!!!

Westi

[peter]

Brassica defences moved up plot 17 and last season's Brassica patch cleared, weeded and thinly mulched with rotted shredded tree.

[John P]

Got Parsnip seed in the drills last Monday,Along with Carrots.For last few years Ive had more success with both sown in the latter part of May. Planted six Tomato plants today in 12in pots for growing outside,though I think I will wait another few days before I will chance them in the open,nights are still a bit on the chilly side. Toms in the greenhouse doing well( fingers Crossed ). JP.

[oldherbaceous]

Looks as if we are all in for another glorious day of sunshine. That's unless you live on the West side of the country though.

[alan refail]

Well, it's fair siling it down on a southerly gale here. Not all bad news, though, except for the campers and caravanners and the tradespeople. I did so much yesterday in the fine that it was a welcome rest this morning to sit in the polytunnel and get on with some sowing. Also, yesterday our river was all but dry and the ground cracking for want of moisture.

[Wicky]

I've done lots of little bits and bobs as well - sowed more carrots, chillis and radish and potted up some PSB. Still lovely and sunny here, so I'm off out again now

[Monika]

We spent this morning watering individual plants on the allotment (brassicas, celeriac, broad beans etc) because everything was very dry. Now, at about 5pm, it is raining gently - just what I wanted. More rain forecast for tomorrow and then dry but cool.

Like Alan's, in the heavier soil some cracks had appeared and our three large water butts are almost empty now.

[oldherbaceous]

It's been a lovely day here all day, a little breezy though. But tomorrow it looks as if we are in for a real soaking. Good job i worked this morning, then got all planted that i needed, this afternoon.

[Clive.]

Busy day at work today....but no gardening done...I was wearing a car parking yellow vest, my now 2 work colleagues had the same attire.
In the Big House our other colleagues wore big frocks and bonnets, Regency style

Breezy and feeling a bit cool under the Lime trees on the avenue drive but sweltering in the Gardens. 800 visitors today I'm told by those that were counting.

Clive.