2025 - What I did today

Pretended to be an archaeologist and "discovered" a paved path between GH 1 and 2. Pulled up lots of montbretia, grape vine, and some oregano (which I will replant somewhere).
Planted some gherkin seedlings in a pot in GH2 - they deserved a chance but the odds aren't high.

One of the apple trees is so laden with fruit that a branch has snapped and the apples were resting on the ground. Thinned out the apples and cut out some small branches. Still far too many apples on it but I can't reach most of them.

Cut off some lower leaves from the tomatoes. Pulled up one of the calendulas plants from the tomato bed. Put it in its own pot and moved it to the veg garden. Cut all the flowers off the one that is still in the tomato bed. Because I want to save seeds from this one and they were different varieties. Didn’t want them to cross ( not sure if they do or not, didn’t want to risk it). Repotted begonia Rex. Left him in the tunnel to hopefully enjoy some warmth and light.

I sowed herbs today, before work.

Jay sent me this video of the birds raiding my slug pots lol

https://youtu.be/-QtTy9vJpLQ?si=GHopHFYxsh1kdjYK

Started clearing a strip of ground (about 3' wide) in front of a 6' high chickenwire fence. My cunning plan is to stick some soft fruit cuttings (red & black currants) in the ground and create a new fruit bed. I'll be able to attach some bird netting to the wire and drop it down, over the fruit bushes. It won't stop the small birds but should stop the pigeons and blackbirds from pinching all the fruit - as they have this year.

I found a way by mishap of saving my redcurrants and blackcurrants from the birds on a previous allotment plot I had........nettles! I wasn't fastidious about the weeding and huge 6 foot high nettles grew through my currant bushes! Once I had pulled the nettles out, I had the best crop of soft fruit I've ever had!

Maybe similar to my philosophy about thistles with my raspberries 

Moved a pumpkin, well repositioned it. When I planted it, I thought it was a courgette and it was in the corner of a 16' long polytunnel. It has 3 fruit coming and must be 14' long and smothering a row of peppers and a chrysanth. With a bit of help, I've directed it out the door so it can go as far as it wants to now. It had put down a few roots on the way but it will have to make do with its original ones. I then harvested stuff for salads and a last pick of peas; total frozen just 6kg.

Netted some lettuce seedlings and water the GH borders.

So far today I re staked a tomato and tied it in. Fed Chillies and watered the tunnel. Made 2 decisions for next year and future years. Always grow at least one tomato I know does well. Shelling beans and fresh beans to be in separate beds. going to water next doors greenhouse now. Just waiting for 10 am before I start rock splitting on a Sunday morning.

Not an awful lot as it was too hot. Dissuaded wasps from starting to build a nest. Pulled out some nasturtiums decimated by blackfly and flea beetle. I don't know why I still try to grow nasturtiums, they're always a disaster. Replanted the tubs with gazania. Harvested.

After watering the GHs, early morning, I've stayed indoors in the relative cool. According to the IN/OUT thermometer its currently 44 in GH1 and 27 in the kitchen - with all the windows open.