Kitchen Garden Forum

A long spell of rain this morning, but turned out nice this afternoon!
It was the Harvest Festival service at the Church today, probably my favourite service of the year!
I didn’t think I was going to get much for them but, had a good search about yesterday and managed to sort out a lot of veg and flowers in the end and I have to say, the Church looked very nice in the end!

A nice dry day by the looks for tomorrow so I will get on with my chores, trying very hard not to become distracted. I just want to get the runners out & feed, prep & close that area. Then I will get netting/fleece on the beds I have already sown/grown. Temp is holding OK for a week or more so that will be helpful to get that sorted before we get any wind or frost. Then back to weeding.Asparagus still not yellowing & the sweet potatoes in the tunnel are getting out of hand & spreading everywhere but they will run out of steam at soon.

I think this will be the last week on the current bus as it is getting too dark down there & the security lights have been changed to come on later as well so a bit spooky so I lock the big gate behind me now. It will only be about 15/20 mins later bus journey but I will stay for a bit later to factor in the walk down from the bus as well, but right on cue they have put a lunch time bus on for the older folks also too dark early morning for them as well.

I got the Cobra beans out, and weeded, a few more bits cut back, and the tomatoes out of their shelter. I was going to dismantle the shelter, but it started raining. It didn't stop until it was dark.

Well everything was progressing fine on Monday & I really cracked on, even though I did get distracted the chores mostly got done. Main job was clearing the runners & I got those beds all done, paths taken up, weeded & covered, canes put away. Only one small problem forgot to put the compost down on the beds before covering so will tackle that tomorrow as shouldn't take long. One QLD Blue pumpkin has changed colour so they are finally sorting themselves out & I found 2 more when I cleared the flowers outside the fence. One little guy fully ripe & taken home, but the other one is another big huge guy that is still green.

Going back to weeding tomorrow, the beds look like they have been sown with green manure at the moment!

Collecting a bucket of acorns daily.Becoming a bit fed up..!!

Discussion at the allotment about which plantlet to grow on from the strawberry runner.The neareest to the parent plant or the one at the tip?I take the one nearest the parent plant .Thoughts everyone.

I almost always take the first one. Very occasionally if I am short I'll take two from a vigorous runner. Been growing the same strain from plants bought in 2008.

Thanks for posting this as also had this discussion come up on the plot. It will come as no surprise that I had never thought about it, if it roots then I will take it & it's friend if more than one of a decent size. Haven't had any problems.

Kinda boring day today, weeding the leeks as they were getting a bit overwhelmed, but never expected it would take so long. I don't know what the weed was but had to dig them not just pull them out even though soil damp. Only did the one bed & decided to clear the path into the gate for a break as it is getting too long & actually making the bottom of my jeans soaking wet getting in & out. Trusty scissors out & I cleared it, but again onerous! I really do need a strimmer, but lost the will trying to find one that is not to heavy but actually works. The weight with a battery is to heavy to be taking it home to charge & lugging it back again & ditto with petrol. There must be an alternative, but found you can't buy scythes online & the long handled clippers just don't balance right. Suggestions always welcomed as you know. (Hint)!