Autumn Bits and Bobs.
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14072
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 439 times
- Been thanked: 477 times
Been hanging onto Summer as long as possible but, I suppose it is time to get into Autumn mode….
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
-
Westi
- KG Regular
- Posts: 6169
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:46 pm
- Location: Christchurch, Dorset
- Has thanked: 1089 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Wasn't pushing you OH, but I just noted the number of trees with a lot of yellow & browning leaves on my walk to the site. Had we had a dry hot summer I would have put it down to no rain, but can't use that excuse this year! Mind it only seems to be the big proper natural trees, my fruit trees on the plot are plodding on but all fruit left are succumbing to rot; (wasps are happy & drunk & a bit feisty), so I have removed all the fruit & thrown them over the hedge row. The wasp numbers seem much lower as well as not too many trying to fight/bite me!
Westi
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14072
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 439 times
- Been thanked: 477 times
We haven’t had hardly any wasps about this year….very strange, as last year there were Wasp nests about everywhere.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
-
Westi
- KG Regular
- Posts: 6169
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:46 pm
- Location: Christchurch, Dorset
- Has thanked: 1089 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Quite a nip in the air today & staying for a few days, along with the rain obviously! 
The tunnel showed 13C min; I did have the front door open as double that during the day & the toms are still producing & ripening & need the ventilation. Sowed my Chinese veg today along with some Spring Greens, I was going to leave them outside on the staging but decided against that as snails all over it, so did a wee collection of all the slimy things on it & inside the tunnel & moved the staging inside, hopefully won't be too warm for them but max temp is staying around 15c so should be cooler than of late.
Plot 2 is now completely weeded & sorted, except for under a couple of fruit trees, so only the outside flower bed that side to tidy up, but could take some time as I will cut down the roses while at it as the new rose buds are not coping with the rain & no doubt they will bite me! Then I will try to harvest the last spuds, but maybe not tomorrow as rained again this afternoon, but no rain for several days & no frost so maybe I will & leave them on the surface to dry out, fingers crossed the rats don't visit but the site fox has been hanging around on the plot so probably as safe as it gets.
The tunnel showed 13C min; I did have the front door open as double that during the day & the toms are still producing & ripening & need the ventilation. Sowed my Chinese veg today along with some Spring Greens, I was going to leave them outside on the staging but decided against that as snails all over it, so did a wee collection of all the slimy things on it & inside the tunnel & moved the staging inside, hopefully won't be too warm for them but max temp is staying around 15c so should be cooler than of late. Plot 2 is now completely weeded & sorted, except for under a couple of fruit trees, so only the outside flower bed that side to tidy up, but could take some time as I will cut down the roses while at it as the new rose buds are not coping with the rain & no doubt they will bite me! Then I will try to harvest the last spuds, but maybe not tomorrow as rained again this afternoon, but no rain for several days & no frost so maybe I will & leave them on the surface to dry out, fingers crossed the rats don't visit but the site fox has been hanging around on the plot so probably as safe as it gets.
Westi
-
retropants
- KG Regular
- Posts: 2134
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2006 3:38 pm
- Location: Middlesex
- Has thanked: 191 times
- Been thanked: 183 times
it was a chilly start to the day, greenhouse saying 9 degrees!
-
Westi
- KG Regular
- Posts: 6169
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:46 pm
- Location: Christchurch, Dorset
- Has thanked: 1089 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Well, maybe the Indian Summer might be continuing after this little invasion of artic conditions. Down here next weeks min is round 13C but day temps are back in the 20's for about a fortnight....if mother nature doesn't intervene of course! Enjoyed the day sorting out what left from last year in the freezer & warned 'Mr' they will be featuring in every meal for the next week or so & banned him from shopping alone or leaving the pet food isle if he does sneak out! Unfortunately also had a lot of new harvest to squeeze in!
Hopefully next year I will have more freezer space as we agreed the garage conversion quote today, & although primarily for Mr's wet room, & hobbies I made sure there was to be a wee kitchen sink space for washing the crop & room for an upright freezer in one end. Yep I factored in a dropped level sink for him to make a cuppa as well!
Unfortunately also had a lot of new harvest to squeeze in! Hopefully next year I will have more freezer space as we agreed the garage conversion quote today, & although primarily for Mr's wet room, & hobbies I made sure there was to be a wee kitchen sink space for washing the crop & room for an upright freezer in one end. Yep I factored in a dropped level sink for him to make a cuppa as well!
Westi
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14072
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 439 times
- Been thanked: 477 times
Car windscreen is frozen solid…wonder if it has killed stuff over the allotments!
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
-
Westi
- KG Regular
- Posts: 6169
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:46 pm
- Location: Christchurch, Dorset
- Has thanked: 1089 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Very light frost on some of centre row plots this morning which aren't protected by the hedge row or the established trees at the front, but most were fine as narrower plots & some protection from the sheds. Mine was OK & tunnel temp still showing 4C the same as the outside strangely. All the spuds out & much better harvest than expected. Slugs & wire worm damage to the odd group near the path but not all affected & the size was really good overall, some whoopers begging for a nice jacket spud, but currently drying out in the little shed. I took the victims of my fork home & I've just been looking at some different recipes to try with these. The food bank got about 20 lettuce from my multi sows in the box & when down after the weekend they will get some carrots as also found some of these early no shows hiding in the weeds. All the Chinese veg & onions have been sown & inside on the tunnel staging.
Paid the deposit on the little in the house jobs this evening so not too long until Mr's ramp is a thing of the past & he will be able to get outside directly without a push as putting in a new dropped door frame, & the insulated flooring going down at the same time. I'm keen on them doing the flooring as it means they will move the fridge & washing machine & I will be able clean under them as just can't move them solo. It will probably amuse the guys though as expect quite a few mummified rats, mice & birds under them. They have also submitted the planning application to the council for garage conversion but that is weeks away apparently. I can but can't really believe it is happening, no-one was interested in doing any jobs this small as all chasing the £'s from the conversions from the holiday makers who will probs only use it for a week or two. Our council is broke but unless living like hermits they must know the impact of ignorance from the impact of local housing had on Cornwall!
Paid the deposit on the little in the house jobs this evening so not too long until Mr's ramp is a thing of the past & he will be able to get outside directly without a push as putting in a new dropped door frame, & the insulated flooring going down at the same time. I'm keen on them doing the flooring as it means they will move the fridge & washing machine & I will be able clean under them as just can't move them solo. It will probably amuse the guys though as expect quite a few mummified rats, mice & birds under them. They have also submitted the planning application to the council for garage conversion but that is weeks away apparently. I can but can't really believe it is happening, no-one was interested in doing any jobs this small as all chasing the £'s from the conversions from the holiday makers who will probs only use it for a week or two. Our council is broke but unless living like hermits they must know the impact of ignorance from the impact of local housing had on Cornwall!
Westi
-
Clive.
- KG Regular
- Posts: 1964
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:01 pm
- Location: East Lincolnshire.
- Has thanked: 20 times
- Been thanked: 171 times
Just to update.I got some more deep forking done on my mini new section of herbaceous border at home here...soil was 3.5 hours of rain drier though than the ground at work...only 5 miles away...but it lifted and then worked down ok and hopefully I cleaned up the end with the lily of the valley ok too. I added an eryngium yuccifolium? to the south east corner. There were some lovely fringed tulips in the middle section previously but only found one little bulb. I put it on the path alongside to keep safe 'til i put it back..but then managed to step on it.!!... I have ordered few more similar to put back and also ordered Iris 'Apollo' as it is one we have at work and is really lovely.. I have my eye on a white Phlox and 'another blue ''Aster'...and the euonymous at the western end needs some attention with some to visit the green bin before empty day on Thurs..
Washing done yesterday, two lines full and Skoda took a visit to to the local car wash....needs annual vacuum out today...
C.
Washing done yesterday, two lines full and Skoda took a visit to to the local car wash....needs annual vacuum out today...
C.
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14072
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 439 times
- Been thanked: 477 times
You put us to shame, Clive….it’s lovely doing a new project, with the thought of what will follow in years to come!
I’ve mainly been tidying odd bits up today….one of those days where you don’t stop but, not a lot to see at the end of the day….but they needed doing….
Spent about 3 hours trying to sort out a job on a ride on mower, think I have it sorted now, thank goodness!
I’ve mainly been tidying odd bits up today….one of those days where you don’t stop but, not a lot to see at the end of the day….but they needed doing….
Spent about 3 hours trying to sort out a job on a ride on mower, think I have it sorted now, thank goodness!
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
-
Clive.
- KG Regular
- Posts: 1964
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:01 pm
- Location: East Lincolnshire.
- Has thanked: 20 times
- Been thanked: 171 times
I'm just so pleased to get that big conifer down before gales return...the planting to cheer up the area after is I think allowing me a bit of retail therapy distraction.... the rest of the garden puts me to shame..!
Did you hear any Lancasters today. ? 2.5 miles south at 1:11pm.
Another load of washing sorted and on the line just as rain started...and back into the drier.....car vacuum was a bit of a poor quick show as it was rain dashed...just maybe I was sat watching a computer radar screen and got a little too distracted...
Cheese on toast for tea here...that's a Winter staple Sunday tea..!
C.
Did you hear any Lancasters today. ? 2.5 miles south at 1:11pm.
Another load of washing sorted and on the line just as rain started...and back into the drier.....car vacuum was a bit of a poor quick show as it was rain dashed...just maybe I was sat watching a computer radar screen and got a little too distracted...
Cheese on toast for tea here...that's a Winter staple Sunday tea..!
C.
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14072
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 439 times
- Been thanked: 477 times
I didn’t hear the Lancaster, Clive….but I had different bits of machinery running at around that time!
I love cheese on toast, and sometimes Cook puts in under the grill for me…..always end up burning my lips and tongue though, as i’m rather impatient when it comes to food.
I love cheese on toast, and sometimes Cook puts in under the grill for me…..always end up burning my lips and tongue though, as i’m rather impatient when it comes to food.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
-
Westi
- KG Regular
- Posts: 6169
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:46 pm
- Location: Christchurch, Dorset
- Has thanked: 1089 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Risked a Sunday visit to the plot today as new bus timetable out, although it was with trepidation as the last time I got stuck waiting until one of the drivers on another bus actually got off & advised us that the service was cancelled due to staff sickness, but it never started up again. But today it did show & was quite full as word went around the older folk could get to the supermarket on Sunday again. They like it as it is the day that most things are discounted so they can save some pennies. But service is very limited to just 3 buses all day, but better than none.
The limited buses did buy me another hour on the plot which was a bonus so a lot more done, although I did stick to just weeding & no heavy work as thought I might get too engaged & not check the time. Only one pumpkin left in to ripen a bit more & covered the courgettes as it remains pretty nippy in the morning & still a few fruit left to grow a bit. Leek moth got through my defences & the cabbage whites were out in number & being a right nuisance; (good for them as not seen many this year). I think they thought it was Xmas as I undid the netting on 2 or 3 beds at a time to weed! I hope I won as I sprayed Grazers deterrent on the plants before recovering just in case some hiding. Won't be going down every Sunday though as the cafe is open & folk kept coming down to the plot to invite me down, but I was enjoying this precious extra time.
The limited buses did buy me another hour on the plot which was a bonus so a lot more done, although I did stick to just weeding & no heavy work as thought I might get too engaged & not check the time. Only one pumpkin left in to ripen a bit more & covered the courgettes as it remains pretty nippy in the morning & still a few fruit left to grow a bit. Leek moth got through my defences & the cabbage whites were out in number & being a right nuisance; (good for them as not seen many this year). I think they thought it was Xmas as I undid the netting on 2 or 3 beds at a time to weed! I hope I won as I sprayed Grazers deterrent on the plants before recovering just in case some hiding. Won't be going down every Sunday though as the cafe is open & folk kept coming down to the plot to invite me down, but I was enjoying this precious extra time.
Westi
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14072
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 439 times
- Been thanked: 477 times
When I put a smiley face on a post, it shows up with a question mark….does it come up with that for people that are reading them?
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
