Did the weekly module & indoor sow list, plus cleared a patch of weeds & mole runs and then sowed parsnips & carrots from the direct sow outdoor list, so catching up.
Moved some cowslips that had self sown in a bit of ground that has to be dug up for MrPP's garage extension/machine shed. Moved them onto a bit of bank above the drive along with some primroses. It has a hedge of natives at the top so they fit in.
Planted out a bergenia root dug up at a client's.
Organised pots, saucers and stuff for the new shed.
Cleared more blanket weed from the pond, carefully because the pond is getting very busy
Spent a second day digging up white comfrey which is spreading like.............white comfrey does. Usually, the roots are so deep that I can't shift them but the soil at the moment is perfect for releasing the roots. They're growing in my most random patch, where I scatter old seeds and shove in odd cuttings. Found some magnificent parsnips that had randomly grown there, amongst the wallflowers, honesty, land cress, kale, lovage and feverfew. Once I've cleared a space, I'll scatter the next collection of random, old seeds. I like surprises in the veggie garden.
Planted out some early potatoes this morning
- Prepared 3 pallet collars RB's for potatoes. Last year I just used a bulb planter and they came out alright (although one of the old fellas at the allotment looked at me like I was a martian, well southerner
) This year I've prepared mini trenches and then used the bulb planter, so probably 2 - 3 inches deeper than last year.
- Potted on a Good King Henry division I received today although I'm still persevering with the seeds I sowed.
- Planted some spare onion sets at the plot.
- Planted 12 Poireau perpetual perennial leeks at the plot.
Just to please Vinny, I dug up some more spreading White comfrey and continued with my path reduction plan. Vinny loses weight, I'm losing paths.
Paths = lost growing space + lost energy mowing paths + every edge need trimming
Solution (in a random way) = remove paths that isolate beds = less but bigger beds = path space can be sown with random seeds = even more random veg and flowers.
To reduce maintenance of essential paths = rake beds of fallen leaves, twigs and dead vegetation, and drag it onto path as a mulch. Rake this "mulch" or let the chooks do it for you, to stop anything germinating on the path. That's the plan, anyway. Keeps me out of mischief.
I planted out the modules of shallots into the ground and planted a row of red baron sets. Potted on a Red Robin to pass on to my very elderly neighbours. It will probably be better off in their conservatory than my cold greenhouse.
Potted up the new blueberry bush and fed the old one, and tidied the patio, as it had turned into an untidy heap of compost bags! Also put out a tray of brassica seedlings and peas for shoots, to make space in the conservatory for my latest sowings.
Our gardener also put in a couple of hours this morning, cutting back some of the trees that overhang the fence at the bottom of the garden, so now it looks a lot tidier. It was nice to see a familiar face again after a long dark winter!
- Worked out what to do re constructing the raspberry support, will put it together over the weekend
- Put together a couple of brassica cages/frames from old blowaway bits and pieces. Still needs netting and putting in place
Potted on aubergines and sown pre chitted peas into guttering.