Archive
For Saturday 20 April 2024
The Saturday Wrap for 20 April 2024. Planting, Keynote, Little Chef, Martha and the Muffins, Official Beer Taster, Temu, Lemon Basil, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Radishes, Emergency Beano, Frost, Voting. #SaturdayWrap #Bedwas #April2024
Garden – September 2023
September, the watershed month. The end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn. However, in the Lovely Lower Rhymney Valley, it was marked by a heatwave and it was out with the watering can again. It lasted about ten days and then it was back to sunshine and showers but at least it was warm. The Summer Onion Sets arrived and I have planted them in five pots already, so I’m well ahead of schedule. I had my first Crimson Crush Tomatoes and Cucumbers from the garden during the month. The rest of the Bush Tomatoes and the Peppers are still a month behind but I have high hopes for them as long as we don’t get a frost. Indoors, the Lemon Basil is still doing well and I am now into the Spring Onions.
Garden – May 2023
May started off with it being two to three weeks behind the normal growing season. Two varieties of Tomatoes, one of Peppers and one of Cucumbers were all planted on the indoor window sills. Bags for life over them to create a warmer, damper micro climate. So far only three pots have germinated. The rest of the growing was planting Potatoes, earthing up Potatoes and water Potatoes. They, however, are a striking success. Casablancas and Dersiree. The lawn after it’s seaweed feed and two mows, is looking much better, however, the reseeding, not so good. Onions of varies types are all growing well, as are the Radishes. Drought now.
Garden – April 2023
Was April March or was April February? Cold, damp with at least two frosts and daytime temperatures about 10c. So, the growth and the planting are way behind schedule and the growth has been slow. That’s both indoors and out. I have nine Casablanca tubers left to go in and all the Desiree. I have been earthing up my first planted Casablancas and have been lucky that the frost didn’t get them. The lawn had moss killer and feed put on it and has had its second mowing of the year. Strawberries, I’m just going to capture the runners for the plants that didn’t make it through the Winter. Spring Onions, Radish and Mint are all growing indoors but slowly. Here’s to a warmer May.
Garden – March 2023
Was March 2023 the start of Spring? No! It started off very cold and frosty and when the cold eased, it turned very wet and windy. Which it still is. However, there are now buds on the hedge. The lawn has had it’s first mow and feed of the year. I have filled the four bags, next to Derek, with home made compost and Potato Feed. The early Casablanca’s will be going in these bags in the next fortnight. The Summer Onions are growing well but I’m not so sure about the Strawberries. Meanwhile, in doors. chitting, Spring Onions and Garden Mint.
Garden – February 2023
he driest February since 1993. During the month I strimmed the edges of the lawn and then spiked it. It seems to be growing well despite the end of month coldness. On the Potato Chitting front all the seed Potatoes now have eyes and they are growing well. The first Casablancas will go in at the end of March, weather willing. I have some Spring Onions, now growing well on the window sill. The Tesco Bag for Life has come off them and they are lapping up the late winter sun. During the next month, I will be mowing the lawn, putting moss killer on it and prepping Potato bags.
Garden – August 2022
August was more heat warnings, more rain, more Thunderstorm warnings and most recently, a drought warning for the whole of Wales. Potatoes, I’ve eaten most of the early Casablanca and I’m now starting on the maincrop Desiree. Finally my tomatoes have started to turn Orange and Red after spending weeks on just being Green. No sign of any of the cucumbers yet, however I have some Peppers albeit still green. The Strawberries are still coming and will do until the first Autumn Frosts arrive. The month ahead (September 2022) will be bringing the harvest home. And the Summer just rolls away.
Garden – July 2022
July was the month when we had an Amber Heat Warning, the threat of a hose pipe ban and everything bar the Strawberries being approximately a month late. However, as I write this it’s been a rather damp weekend. Enough to fill the reservoirs? No, but good enough to stop going out with a watering can for the next couple of days. Casablanca are my new favourite potatoes, I have had a really good crop from them this year and they make great chips. My Japanese Summer Onions Senshyu are ready and I have been eating them for the last week. Not too strong and really crunchy, the only thing is that they do not store well. Pull them up and eat them straight away. Having slightly better luck with Spring Onions and half of my Tomato Plants are finally flowing.
Garden – June 2022
It’s been very Great British Summer since the last update. Very hot then showers and cold. I still think that the season is two weekends behind, if not longer. The first of the Potatoes (Casablanca) are dying back, so are ready and I will be raising them soon. The Lemon Basil looked ready and then immediately went to seed, these are the things that happen to me. With the third pack of seeds, the Salad Leaves are now off. Lots of strawberries and the lawn is OK if not spectacular. The Summer Onions are coming on a treat and should be ready this time next month.
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