Spring Bits and Bobs.

[Westi]

Certainly dry on the plot at the moment, but luckily soil not cracked & hard like it has been so was able to do the re-sows. I decided not to do direct sows of the toms so set up pots with new compost to start them off. They probably would have been OK but noted some digging in the tunnel, probably mice looking at how small the disturbance is & 2 holes leading under the tunnel cover. They will be disappointed when they try to get in again, went a bit OTT with repellers & boards.

Once again I re-sowed the brassica's but I do have more up now. Popped the pumpkin & squash seeds in, weeded the strawberries & every thing got a water. I deliberately used the water from the trugs over the plots so I can give them a clean out before re-filling. My plan is another early bus down on Monday so I can re-fill them all with the hose, along with a longer general water. Mondays are always good for not having many down early as a lot are back to work.

[Geoff]

What a day all of a sudden 21.9°, celebrated with the first mid-afternoon choc ice of the season and later raspberries and ice cream as pudding. Planted the pea patch this afternoon.

IMG_5145.JPG (4.74 MiB) Viewed 264 times

IMG_5146.JPG (4.85 MiB) Viewed 264 times

[Clive.]

2C along by the river, on the way to work this morning.

When I had looked out first thing next doors flat roof was frosty white over and the spread straw in the back field was so white with frost that it resembled snow laying.

A quick look at overnight temps going forward and they do appear much more useful..

Indeed I set up two hazel stick wigwams and pushed in some Moonlight runner beans..... maybe a bit keen as I should wait 'til I had seen the first person coming back from Boston May Fair...but the bean location is on a slight slope facing South and with a big brick wall behind.

East wind has got up again this afternoon and I soon had my woolly hat on again...

C.

[Geoff]

Clive, should have said yesterday, if you are thinking of planting two new gooseberries have you thought of a red one? We have Hinnonmaki Red and it is like having another fruit in your collection, I really like the taste.

[Clive.]

Likewise, I do like the Hinnomaki red, can eat them like grapes, lovely.
but the pigeons like them too....unless netted they are there one day, gone the next with soily pigeon footprints on the leaves and a few lost feathers about..

There is even a gooseberry that shares my surname...I perhaps ought to try that one. ?
To quote RV Rogers it's... "a historic mid-season British dessert gooseberry, known for producing small, round, slightly hairy red fruits with a sweet, rich flavour. This hardy, often mildew-resistant bush is ideal for eating straight from the plant or for culinary use in pies and jams, typically reaching maturity in mid-summer"

To confuse, ...my grandpa, on dad's side, had a surname change....I think he had 'appeared early' and initially took his mothers surname......
So maybe I ought to also grow the Quince that bears that name.... also available from RV Roger...

C.

[Clive.]

8C showing on the weather station first thing this morning..

C.