End of
May and the ground is rock solid
Well the only part of my allotment which is workable is that
which I dug over during last late summer and autumn. Of course, the advice is
always to dig in autumn to allow the winter frosts to break up the soil. This
has not been so obvious every year. In some years spring digging is fine. But,
really I just don’t have the energy to do that amount of digging on the days
when digging is a suitable activity during the autumn months. On my heavy clay
ground, I have to catch it between heavy rain which turns the ground to mud,
and long dry spells which ‘bake’ the ground.
Of course, as I’ve said before, although the plot I work can
be difficult, it is also very fertile and very suitable for brassicas, which
are my favourite vegetables.
Talking of brassicas, I see today that my brassica bed – well
fertilised, well protected [I have good net over the whole plot of approx.
5metres by 10metres] I can easily get into this ‘cage’ to weed and tend my baby
plants. On checking today, I see that my plants have been inundated with Flea
Beetle. These tiny, shiny, black beetles just love brassicas. They are called
‘Flea beetles’ because they jump out of our way as soon as they see us coming
and are about the same size as fleas [cat fleas, dog fleas – you name it] but,
they are not fleas. Usually, if the infestation is not too great, the plants
will outgrow the attack but, on allotments, where they are endemic, they can
cause serious damage. Today, I have sprayed with SB Plant Invigorator, my
favourite plant treatment. |I have expressed my concerns about this substance
before and have been reassured that the active ingredient is Urea – I really
don’t know how this works as an insecticide – perhaps it just strengthens the
plants and enables them to fight off the pests and diseases by themselves –
whatever, the effect seems to be compelling].
Continuing on the brassica theme, while I was treating my
plants for flea beetle, I see that many of my All Year Round cauliflowers have
started to ‘heart up’ – tiny, button sized heads which are totally useless. Of
course, during the last few weeks, while the ground has dried out and split
open from drought, these plants should have been regularly watered. As I manage
my large allotment on my own, watering brassicas [like potatoes] did not even
feature on my watering schedule. It is just one of those losses I have to be
prepared to take.
So far, this blog sounds like a whinge, that is not intended.
What I want to put across is that, in each year, there are difficulties and
successes. Whatever the weather, something is succeeding and growing on,
providing a crop which we can enjoy. This may not have been the crop we have
dreamed of but, something else has been a huge success.
My daughter told me [and she is in London with somewhat more
promising conditions than my south west plot], that she had just picked her first broad beans from her plot. So, I decided to have a closer look
at my own bean plot and, yes, I have managed to harvest enough beans for
dinner but, they are still a little on the small side. My daughter is using a great recipe for Hummous made from broad beans
from ‘River Cottage Veg everyday’ by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Great book!
I have been finding homes for my vast quantities of squashes
and pumpkins. Of course, I feel a bit possessive and clingy about my squash and
pumpkin plants. I am giving many plants away but, I still find it difficult to
part with them. I think I have now planted out at least 15 plants and am still
looking for homes for a few more different varieties. I do have areas in my
‘herb/flower’ section which is not well used. Of course I will have to fight
off the mint invasion but, that is another issue.
Yet again, the dreadful red-ant invasion has struck in my poly
tunnel and in several places in my potato ridges. I am losing mature plants in
my polytunnel and mature plants outdoors in my potato ridges. Any suggestions
would be appreciated.
More later!