Thursday 27 June 2013

Around the Croft - Growing



It's been so long since I did an update on the Croft. A great deal has been happening, and still is, on these long, long days. With such a short season, most of our energies have been directed towards the garden.  Growing started pretty late here, as we had a very cold Spring, but, we have been beavering away and now have 5 large raised beds at the front of the house. We have also begun to plant a flower border, and a fruit plot. Let me give you a quick whirl around and see what's growing.


We have some bits and pieces beginning to show themselves - nothing really being harvested yet, although those garlic scapes look about ready. There are lots of flowers on the broad beans, and I think I will use the bean tops in a soup next week.
We grow all our brassicas under enviromesh - it really keeps the butterflies off and makes such a difference to the crop. It also protects the plants from the wind, which is never far away. We had fantastic success with this last year, and were picking good clean leaves well into the early Spring. The carrot seeds have just been sown, and they will be covered with mesh too - it really kept the carrot fly away last year. I found a picture here, of cabbage and carrots fresh from the garden at the end of January, and the last of the chard has just been dug up this week!
You may be noticing a lot of rylock fencing on the beds. This is another wonder material - it is the most effective way we have found of keeping the hens from making dustbaths in the newly planted seeds - and from eating my lettuces! It is much easier to do this than to try to keep them out of the plot - they have helped build up the fertility of the soil, and I like their company as I work
This time last year we still had pigs on this plot, so the garden is not even a year old yet. Still much work to do (just look at all those buttercups!) and lots to learn about what will do well (not convinced about French beans yet) - but what an absolute joy it is to be out there, hands in the good earth,  gently moving a hoe around, or just sitting contemplating the scenery. Nothing better - well - unless...


It is pottering around in the new polytunnel!


It was worth the wait for this. I love it, and can happily spend hours in here, nice and warm and sheltered. I have planted 38 tomatoes -7 or 8 varieties, all grown from seed - not to mention half a dozen courgettes and several chilli and sweet peppers. It's all a bit of a work in progress - we were too late to put in raised beds this year, so had to resort to using grow bags, but oh - the plans I have! This will make such a difference - I will be able to produce more of our vegetables for a longer time. Hopefully I can manage the sowing and planting to minimise the hungry gap, and to give me enough surplus to put by. It is a fantastic spot to sit and dream, or drift around pinching out side shoots from the tomato cordons - enjoy a sly cup of tea, and generally hide. Watch this space!

12 comments:

  1. Waaaa, a tunnel! I'm so envious! Everything in your pictures is further on than my garden here in the North East. I don't know why everything is still so far behind, as we've had a wonderful June. It must be your wonderful piggy/chicky helpers that give your soil the edge!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I thought my polytunnel was full!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It all looks so wonderful and I love your hoop house. Having a way to start seeds and plants early really is a big help and I know you are going to love it for years to come.
    We had a much cooler spring here too and it has been throwing off my time table. I am just now picking blueberries and the figs aren't near ready yet. Oh well, at least we have had enough rain that I am not having to water.
    Is it hot there? I have been melting from the heat and humidity, but then this is the deep south.
    Have a beautiful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your poly tunnel looks great and I am sure you will make good use of it. It is lovely to see your photos of plants coming on as we head into winter.

    ReplyDelete
  5. enjoy your tunnel jacqui! i see sweet peas, my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You have been busy! We've had to put up some fencing to restrict the hens from their very own form of gardening! It's a movable fence from Omlet though so we can shift them around - they are effective at clearing beds just not selective! Looking forward to seeing the results from all your labours. Helen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your greenhouse is wonderful! I would spend hours in it as well being all warm and cozy. I hope you grow lots and lots of vegetables. We have hot and humid weather that I would gladly send your way :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. You have such a lovely garden. I love seeing all the wonderful things growing. Have a lovely weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous28/6/13 16:41

    Everything is looking wonderful, and you have a polytunnel, oooooh you lucky thing! Have fun! :) Love, Tina xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, it's been ages since I checked up on you ! I just love, love, love your blog, and just look at your new poly-tunnel ! You've really got it going on now Jacqui !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you all - it is very exciting :) If you want me, you know where I'll be...
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. It looks amazing and beautiful! How exciting - I'm kinda jealous :c)

    ReplyDelete

Many thanks for visiting me. I love to read your thoughts and appreciate each one. I will respond to comments and queries here, so please check back xx

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...