Kitchen Garden Forum

Dear Elle, very nice to have you back, it seems such a long time.

It was my youngest lads tenth Birthday yesterday.

Dear OH, I guess they both just missed being called George then! Sam has decided he wouldn't want to be called George - he doesn't have a reason though - obviously just likes his name.

It is good to be back at such a busy time of year. Last year we went away now, which meant everything was either stalled, or neglected, so I hope that my more cautious approach will pay off this year.

How strange, my youngest is called Sam too!

Regarding the gardening front, you and things will soon catch up.

We had thundery showers forecast for Friday, which might have put paid to my plans to be out of the house all day avoiding some wedding or other. Cut three quarters of an acre of grass today whilst it was dry. Now it looks as though Friday will be sunny and dry. Must find some more outdoor jobs.

Just set my eight year old trusty broody on a clutch of eggs. She can be relied on to go broody regular as clockwork mid April every year.

Another bright clear morning with a cold wind, off to the Harlow Carr Plant Fair - should be a good day out.

Great excitement on the allotments, just dug the first root of potatoes for dinner.
I think that must be the earliest ever.

Hope you have a lovely day Geoff.

Spotted a Mink on the bank of the River Taff as I cycled to the allotment.I didn't know that we had them in the lower reaches of the river.Testament of how clean it has become.The salmon had better watch out

Sounds like everyone is having a good day. Its lovely here too, but so windy. It was blowing the seeds out of my hand before I could get them in the ground!

It's so windy here, too. Leaves , seeds and bits of plants are being driven by the strong NE wind which comes straight off the moor. The allotment is a bit more sheltered from the wind in this direction (it cops it when comes from the W, SW and NW), but even then, the young plants and seedlings are being battered. Last night we gave everything a good watering at the roots.

Our total rainfall for April was 14.8mm, so, since the start of March, we have had just 30mm (= just over 1 inch!) of rain. Not good for this time of the year.

The blackbirds are queueing up at the door for currants for their young!

We had a grand day out and, as usual, bought more plants than we should then had to look up if they would actually grow for us. The gardens were good and we were enjoying a leisurely walk round until OH popped out of the bushes.

Glad you had a good day Geoff, now, where are all those plants going to go!

Didn't mean to startle you both.

Wild windy out our way again today...

Over the back fence the plastic over the Calabrese is taking quite a battering.... http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/S ... I_3141.mp4

Listen carefully beyond the sound of the wind and plastic and the engine note of an orbiting P51D Mustang can just be heard.

Clive.

Dear Clive, you have gone and made me feel all sea-sick, watching that movement.

I'm sure it was two Mustangs heading from East to West, yesterday afternoon.

I was starting to get worried about you, take it you have been very busy.

Hello Old H',

There's an American Air Day on at East Kirkby, just up the road from us here, today hence the Mustang out our way...I think it was Marinell one of Maurice Hammonds from Hardwick http://www.hardwickwarbirds.com/
Marinell and his other, Janie, are often out and about together...

I think I heard the Harvard earlier too.

Yes, things are a bit busy at the moment...far more to do than ever myself and my young colleague and volunteers can sensibly pull in.....we need someone to assist really who has the very specific knowledge and time to maintain the borders in a more detailed and manicured way...thus giving us time too to take care of our respective specialities within the garden as a whole.

We were out visiting one of our volunteers gardens locally yesterday...a lovely well thought out and cared for garden but being battered by the winds being right next to the coast. Home via a local nursery...and today out to another local nursery, garden centre, and another nursery on the way home...all interesting stuff but mainly driven by needs at work. It was certainly interesting loading a standard Rose into the car in the gale this afternoon..!!

I have been able to keep things going ok in the garden at home here...simply because of the dry and being able to get on the ground at any time. Tall Peas moving very well...with wire and sticks all in place ready for the climb... Do not mention Wood Pigeons though.....thankfully they seem to like Early Onward and Pixie cabbages best.....

You beat me with the Potatoes this year...I did take some up to the Hall steps this morning...Premiere planted in pots in the front greenhouse on 1-2-11...they were off to a very slow start this year as we had those grey skies for weeks when it remained cold even in the greenhouses...then suddenly it went the other way.......

Clive.

So glad that awful wind has dropped, even with the touch of frost we have this morning.