Weeding and watering

A visit for watering and weeding. Typically, as I've planted seeds and put onions and potatoes in it hasn't rained for days. It was good to see that the onions and potatoes have started growing. The redcurrants and gooseberries are also looking great. I picked some Rhubarb too.

Planting lettuces

I planted three rows of lettuces today, next to the onions. I've never planted seeds straight outdoors before but the weeds are much better under control this year so they might have a chance. We'll see.

Planting onions and preparing cucubit bed

I gave the second quarter of the plot a good hoe today and then covered it with mypex to keep the weeds down while the curcubit plants grow indoors ready for planting out.

I also had a go at re-defining the front edge of the plot by cutting out some of the grass. I've planted 48 Onions too (Stuttgart Giant). They have string tied over them with bits of foil wrapped on it. Hopefully this will keep the birds off.

Seed sowing

I sowed tomatoes today from a pack given to me by the Red Cross for becoming a supporter. Also Courgettes (All Green Bush), Butternut Squash (Avalon F1) and Pumpkin (Hundredweight). I sowed some seeds from the nice chillis I grew indoors last year as an experiment. These all went in root trainers in the propagator and up to the top bathroom where it is warm and sunny.

Also sowed some brussels sprouts for planting our later in the year and some bedding plants for a bit of decoration.

Planting potatoes

I went back to the plot today and planted two more rows of potatoes. King Edwards and another red variety (a first early). Did a lot more hoeing too. The weeds are back with a vengeance :-(

Planting the raspberries

The rain finally stopped so I went back and planted some raspberries. I enriched the soil with fish blood and bone and compost from the home composting bin. Tom came and helped with some hoeing too.

The types of raspberry are:
GLEN COVA - Early (June/July)
MALLING JEWEL - Mid Season (July/August)
ZEVA - Late (September/Early October)

But I'm not sure which as the labels had washed away! They are all the same in each row though.

It's too wet!

A short visit with my sister Emma today. It is now chucking it down with rain and we're both very muddy. We managed to plant six seed potatoes.