Winter Bits and Bobs.

[Geoff]

Thanks both. I only grow the 4 first earlies in the tunnel as Charlotte gives a good crop not far behind. I have been growing Orla outside as the next harvest but I'm thinking I might replace them with extra Charlotte as that is our favourite Summer potato, though we do have a few sprouting specimens left. Might even be silly and get two each of Christl and Swift, decision might be made by what stock they have. I'm hoping Manitou will be back as I had to substitute Java last year which don't bake quite as well.

[oldherbaceous]

In the last couple of weeks i’ve been digging Charlotte potatoes from over the allotment….these were planted early September and are coming out, nearly as good as new potatoes.

[retropants]

Hi OH, I rather randomly popped a handfull of sprouted new potatoes in a large pot in the autumn. The foliage got frosted recently, so I haven't bothered investigating. Maybe I should??

[oldherbaceous]

You have nothing to lose, Retropants…..

[Geoff]

Was pleasantly surprised to find seed potatoes were £2.99 kg the same as last year though they probably worked out more expensive as the Charlotte in particular were a bit big. In the end I bought Lady Christl and Casablanca as earlies, Charlotte, Manitou, Maris Piper and Java after my wife pointed out the Java were keeping well. Just got to decide how to divide them between polytunnel and outside.

[oldherbaceous]

A good selection Geoff…. I’ve never grown Manitou, or Java…..I must admit I do stick to ones I know!

[Westi]

I can't even recall what spuds I ordered as stupidly asked others for their suggestions & got totally confused. I do know I ordered Jazzy though. I have ordered them at least which is a bonus & know they are in but not been down to collect as just incessant rain & doubt anyone would be available to open up the shed anyway. Slightly improving next week but still drizzle. Wed looks the most promising so fingers crossed everyone!

At least there will be a distraction as the kitten Ringo comes tomorrow.....let the chaos begin! XX

[oldherbaceous]

How is Ringo, settling in Westi?

Been rained off work again today, very wet indeed but, tomorrow is looking a lot better!

[retropants]

Welcome home Ringo! We'd love some pics if you take any

[Clive.]

Certainly a wet lot this afternoon..and the big garden pond that was very low in the summer is nicely full.

...and on Monday I was seriously raking up some gravel that I thought could then do with a bit of rain on it.... In fact it had a small dose of rain then a hard frost and now some heavy rain....maybe, just what it needed.

On arriving home it was undress into the washing machine..

C.

[Westi]

Hi OH & retropants & all!

No Ringo yet, all was going fine with our plans but his current mum got called into work to cover sickness. He is now coming on Saturday, delivered to the door!
Hence I have tomorrow to go down to the plot which I haven't been near for over 2 weeks due to the frozen soil initially then the cold & rain.
Not planning to do much but would dearly love that last bit of the asparagus bed finished! All prepped to expect unraveling netting from trees etc will be on the list to do as well has had some big gust in amongst the rain, but not any urgency as if any netting blew off you can assure the critters will have found them! I will take everything that is ready & not eaten though. Propagator all ready to do some sows but left the pots & compost down there as well!

I do hope Mother Nature gives us a break soon, but am taking the 10max tomorrow as a sign things are improving even if still going to get wet!

[Geoff]

I don't think I can endorse Black Fluid as a greenhouse cleaner. I sprayed the little greenhouse at the recommended concentration but when I washed it down a week later it was still green. On Monday I sprayed the big greenhouse with double strength solution but today there is still green in the glass overlaps and on the wooden sill. Had a productive day in the fruit cage yesterday. Cut down the Autumn raspberries, weeded, fed and mulched them and the Summer ones. Weeded the blueberries and the black currants and hope to finish in there today with a bit more weeding and feeding.

[oldherbaceous]

That’s a shame about the black fluid, Geoff……a job to know what to use now then!
I cut down the Autumn Raspberries at the Big house, this morning and weeded and also spread some bonfire ash on!
Looks like you are keeping a little ahead of me though, on the job front…..

[oldherbaceous]

Well the evenings are certainly starting to pull out, what is fabulous to see but, the mornings show very little difference yet…..but it won’t be long now!

[Clive.]

...and there's starting to be some birdsong in the morning.

C.