Abel and cole - yeah whatever!

Well DSB it seems you are taking a Mark Sharpe way of thinking regarding your new pump - I am sure I have a lot of suitable equipment in a site office in an undisclosed location that may benefit you. Any how - onwards - as my Mark says things like facebook status updates are for fishing for compliments which I now unashamedly do now! I attach a photo of my first Abel and Cole style veggie box - I would like it noted for the record that as of yet there are no onions but I am off to harvest some tomorrow. I hope the blizzards and heavy rain due up north over the next few days do not hamper your garden in any way! Hope you are both well.

Pump Action

We havent been suffering the suffocating heat you're experiencing down there - those northerly winds have been keeping us on our toes. But February to June is a marked dry season up here. There's been no significant rain since May and the plot would resemble the dustbowl if it wasnt for the chest-high grass, dock and thistle. The trudge up the slope with two full watering cans finally took its toll and so I bit the bullet and bought a not too sustainable petrol suction pump that can suck the burn dry and deliver the goods at 100 litres per minute. The start of the annual Monsoon is forecast for Thursday so I'll have to view it as a long term investment.

Rake's Progress

Thought you'd all like to see how my lazy beds are coming along. I sensed a bit of scepticism from Al Lotment, but as you can see they are thriving. The Pink Fir Apples on the right have been earthed up. As I'm sure you don't need reminding, they tend to grow much closer to the surface than other varieties and have a habit of turning green in the light.

First Cut

We've had the first modest crop off the new plot and celebrated wildly with a sag paneer and stewed rhubarb with orange and honey. Both these seem to do better than in Oxford. The rhubarb must like the dampness and the acid soil while spinach enjoys the cool conditions and amazing absence of slugs. Can't believe the slugs won't find out about this paradise at some point. Meanwhile we've had our first pest attack of a much more alarming kind. The neighbouring cattle often come over to check out my variety of artichokes or advise that I should have provided wind protection when I planted out my beans. Now though, one has taken a step further and pinched out the tops of the peas for me. The hoof prints through the spring onions and structural problems in my leaning towers give it away. Fortunately, the offender was a food connoisseur and stepped carefully through the artichokes and asparagus.

first strawberries!

Well DSB apologies for the prolonged absence - as you correctly noted we are in full gardening flow here (although Al lotment is in race prep mode!). I have (hopefully) managed to attach some photos of the new allotment. I hope things in the great north are fine and dandy and you are reaping your full crop. How awful to be subjected to web filters - as long as the cobblers website is still allowed - otherwise I suspect you may have to fill you days doing work! ta ta for now

Re-boot

I guess there are two possibilities for the tumbleweeds on here. Either the first flush of spring enthusiasm has been flushed away and your plot is now neglected as you enjoy other distracting pursuits or youre too busy with the azada to share your thoughts. For me, it's the council's new web filter which seems to have blocked my access. On top of that I've been enjoyed many late nights down at the plot with the sun going down after ten oclock. We had snow on 12 May but that didnt hang around very long and a week of very warm weather has got the soil up to around 15 deg, which would be ideal for planting out all the tender stuff I sowed before I went on holiday. Unfortunately we now have a bitter wind from the north so I've been concentrating on soil preparation. Lots still to do. Watch this space... and perhaps even contribute.

Leaning Tower of Peas

Anybody there? I've been too busy to blog sowing my sweetcorn, 3 types of courgette, 4 types of pumpkin and 4 types of bean. And the plot now looks a bit more recognisable as a vegetable garden. Potatoes are all lazy bedded. Beetroot, fennel and spinach in. I've been pilfering willow branches from the woods for my high peas. Broad beans coming along and the artichokes are now in the ground but under fleece to protect against the wind. It's been a tad chilly, less than 10deg, and the north wind looks set to continue for a good while. All in all, a dood time to be off for 10 days in Tuscany. So you won't hear from me until I've got for you a few seedy items from the back streets of Fosdinovo. Al, keep an eye out for me on Giro Stage 6: I'll be dressed as an artichoke and wielding an azada.