Sunday, 23 September 2007

Did loads more weeding and a little digging where the weeds were starting to creep onto my plot from next door. In the pic I have planted some late peas which have since started to flower so might get a crop from them.
Also put in 2 rows of spring cabbage yesterday but didn't have the camera so will get a pic next time when they've hopefully established a little.


Kale is looking really good now, sprayed with soapy water to get whitefly off and crushed all eggs from white's. Chard next to it is established but not growing much as yet. A few swede's are ready for picking going to try one next Sunday. Spinach and beetroot also ready for picking but haven't needed it yet.




At last I have ripe tomato's although the plants dont look too healthy, not bothered so long as I get a crop.

Will get some more pics Monday and do a proper update as going out for lunch now....



Monday, 10 September 2007

Today did a bit more weeding and planted out 2 rows of Chard. So the picture here is pretty much all winter veg - From right to left - Swede's, Chard, Curly Kale, Beetroot, Chard, Perpetual Spinach and Carrots.

Land is looking a little more full now although the picture doesn't show the spare space where the potatoes were.
Harvest some more Calabrese, runners, Sprouts for dinner. The runners are tasting stringy now, no idea why I'm not leaving them on the plant to let grow, picking them quite young but not tasting very good.

Carrots are getting some slug damage so I'm going to lift all good sizes at the weekend and put into sand for storage.

I also plan to erect a net and plant out the Spring Cabbage which are at 2 leaf stage so can be put out ok.

The new carrot bed, top left of pic is growing ok although
germination doesn't seem all that great. I remember thinking the same when I last sowed out so will give them some time.

The Turnips, middle bed, are almost ready to pick and use. Will sow some more at the weekend these grow very quickly.

The top right bed are Sprouts and calabrese, both of which are giving a great harvest.

Messed up on my sprouts as I planted out an early variety without realising. I am having to pick some now as they are blowing, I only hope enough will be left for winter.

Quick Review / Re-cap

Here is a little review of what I've had so far out the plot, what crops didn't do so well and what varieties I wont be using next season :

Beetroot Globe 2 Wont be using again, supposed to be quite large but never happened, only really golf ball size with a few a little larger.
Beetroot Pronto Not harvested yet but germination good and growing well.
Broccoli Summer Purple Definitely growing again, prolific harvest and still picking. Not real broccoli though it grows as spears.
Sprouts F1 Brigitte Early variety and been picking already although not many. Very strong taste but not too much to be said until they are all ready in the winter.
Kale Nero Di Toscana Precoce Not tried any yet as not quite ready to start picking. All growing well though.
Cabbage Savoy Not ready to pick yet, only planted a few to try.
Cabbage (spring) April Still in modules at home almost ready to put out.
Carrot Autumn King Excellent harvest, good sizes even in stoney ground and good germination. Would grow again very tasty.
Carrot Early Nantes Less impressed, didn't grow as fast as I expected for an early, but germination was good and tasty. Will grow in a tub next year to see if better.
Cucumber F1 Burpless Tasty Green 3 cucumbers from 2 plants. Produced lots of cukes but most were eaten by something.
Onion Forum F1 (set) Good Size all harvested and hung, strong flavour. See no reason to try another these are very good.
Spinach Bloomsdale Bolted too easily, only had 1 harvest. Am growing perpetual now.
Swede Ruby Not ready yet but great germination and swelling nicely, easy to grow.
Broad Bean Giant Exhibition Longpod Very nice bean but ok harvest. Might change next year. Suffered from bean weevil, blackfly and choc spot.
Runner Bean Butler (stringless) Grew slowly but great harvest from them, although stringless the last couple of bags have been very stringy. Will be changing variety.
Potatoes Annabelle Early Would never consider changing. Not the biggest harvest but the best tasting variety. Will be growing next year, and more of them.
Potatoes Cara main Good harvest, blight resistant and a lovely flavour. Not much to say as the slugs have devoured them all.
Swiss Chard Bright Yellow Only just planted out from modules.
Turnips Not harvested yet but almost ready. Cant remember variety

I wont be changing varieties of those I liked because I believe in tried and trusted but I might expand a little and grow another variety of the same thing. Once the end of the plot is cleared will have alot more room.

Going to the plot tonight to water etc, will get some pics.