A very good day, despite sleep issues (as ever…) and everything going on in the wider world. About which the less said the better.
A bit too humid to be comfortable working outside, but nonetheless I got a lot done on the allotment:
- I emptied one of my conical compost bins, now perfectly rotted down, onto the bed where I will probably plant out leeks later this week
- I did some weeding, trying to stay on top of it. As any gardener knows, if you wait till it sets seed, you’ve got a much bigger battle on your hands. The trick is to weed little and often
- I picked the first of my blackcurrants. Not a massive crop, but there should be enough to make a few jars of jam. Malcolm’s favourite, so I’m told.
- I picked enough salad leaves for a couple of lunches and tonight’s supper, plus some more mangetout peas, a marigold flower (for the petals), and my first beetroot of the season; and a small red onion which I will slice thinly to go with the salad (or I may chop it and fry to go in my omelette)
- I picked another decent bowl of strawberries. I still have enough jam from last year to stretch another year, so my plan this year is to just enjoy eating them in season plus make some summer puddings, and possibly freeze some to brighten up my breakfast on some winter mornings
- I summer pruned my cordon apple trees. I’ve already thinned out the fruit (to no more than 2 per truss). Pruning and thinning provide a good opportunity to have a close look at the trees – I noticed that several have greenfly on the sappy tips, but I took the tips out and I’ve seen enough ladybirds around to reassure me that it shouldn’t be too much of a problem
- I harvested all the garlic, and some of the onions. It’s not a huge crop, but better than last year, and given the drought and lack of watering, I’m pleased with what I have.
I also did some admin jobs. And most pleasingly, I’ve given new life to my challenge to raise at least £250 for Bath City Farm this year. To my delight, I’ve had several takers for my offer to make cloth face coverings for neighbours and friends, in return for donations. So I’m busy cutting and sewing. One down, six more to go.
To add to the pleasure of meeting up with son and d-o-l yesterday we’re planning a similar meeting with other son, d-i-l and granddaughter. The tricky bit is figuring out how best to manage the ‘keeping distance’ from the 2 year old, when our normal practice has always been lots of cuddles and close contact. If you’ve got experience and tips to pass on, I’ll be glad to hear them. Of course we’ll manage, but it will feel unnatural.
I hope your day has been a good one, even if just in some small way. See you tomorrow xx
the magic jug 