The weather has been terrible for weeks on end here, making the ground way too soggy to work. Finally we siad enough is enough and decidded not to let another day go by without lifting a finger in the lottie...so since it was time to pick-up our seed orders placed back in December anyway...off we went, resolute to do SOMETHING. When we arrived at the clubhouse, we saw that all the orders were neatly stalled-out in alphabetical order. There was already a line of impatient picker-uppers, nervously chatting and laughing as they waited for their turn. Some folks sat and calmly drank coffee or tea as they waited for the rush to subside. After spending an hour and a half waiting, picking-up and chatting with everyone in sight...we finally decided to head off down to the lotties to see what we could do. The first thing that we did was to cut off the Pampus grass and the other large clump of grass that we have growing there. We placed the "harvested" grass in paths and put some aside to cover a bed that we were planning to get ready for planting. After finishing that task, we had tea and bikkies and set out to look at what was growing and to make some firm plans for the rest of the day's work. We were happy to see several Purple Sprouting Broccoli plants beginning to show their stuff--I reckon that we will be able to harvest next weekend. There are lovely central heads formed already and the side stems are already showing their intentions. The Ceanothus is absolutely loaded with buds (but has been since back in December). I suppose that it is just waiting for a signal from Mother Nature to open up and release their lovely scent. The beds over in the "New Lottie" are looking supurb and the soil under the debris is so loose and soft...and a couple of fork-fulls of soil was lifted to check for worms--the beds are loaded with them! Basck in the old garden, we started off getting one bed in order for planting. We removed the dead and partially decomposed Phacaelia from the surface. (That will go in the bottom of the runner bean trences). Then we min-tilled the soil and raked it lightly. Then covered it again with cuttings from one of the ornamental grass plants that we have. It was really cold and windy, but it sure was fun to make a good start. When we got home we started sowing peas and planning what will be next. Next week it is time to prune the Buddleja and rose bushes. I like pruning, so I shall be looking foreward to that.
I'm glad you were finally able to get some "work" done at the Lottie Sjoerd. Funny, this time of year it doesn't seem like work, does it?
Looking good Sjoerd, I can almost feel your hands itching to be digging and planting out there. What are the green plants in the bottom photo?
Toni, those are the last of the leek plants. I pulled four to make a big leek curry dish for some guests last night. It turned-out delish! mmmmm...
Looks absolutely lovely Sjoerd! Do you cut down your pampas grass to the stumps or just the dead and flower plumes? A couple of my customers have them and one still looks stunning, but the other one looks dreadful and I don't know what to do as their dog constantly plays in it! It is just lovely to get out there and start pottering. I like it when it is bare soil, just for a little while, your imagination can run riot with what you are going to plant where and how it is going to look. Plan plan plan. And your purple sprouting! How jealous am I?? I have 6 plants, but as yet, not sprouting. I am begining to think they aren't going to bother. Thing is, they are in a bed where I want to put spuds, so they will have a reprieve for a little bit longer as I will save that bed for late maincrops. I am looking forward to more pics as your allotment starts to come to life Sjoerd.
Thankls lots, Emma. You are too right--it IS lovely to be out there pottering-about at long last. I have been missing it more this year than most for some reason. I like to see the bare and tidy soil for that brief period before things start happening. I can sit for months without a clue for planning...then all of a sudden, when I see all that bare earth, the mind goes into overdrive. heh heh heh. As for the Pampas grass--I cut it down to the nubs every year. I didn't cut it down far wnouth last year though because there was a nest of tiny, pink eyeless baby mice licing it it's depths. Ther result was that all the cellulose build-up fropm the dead leaves had begun to rot and the heart of the plant died because of it this winter. I suspect it was all the rain--it just rained into the heart and stayed there for too long without drying, I reckon. I handle the other grass clump in the exact same way. One thing that I aleays try (but don't always succeed) in doing is to cut it back before there are too many new green leaves comong up. It's just based on a "feeling", I am convinced that it would grow back anyway. The purple sprouting -- It is late for me too this year. Usually I am eating it in dec-jan. However I must add that I planted the plants way too late this past year. I shall endevour to get back on the straight and narrow this season. I find the waiting for that first harvest almost unbearable. I grew four types this year, and three of them are heading-up so far, and I am quite pleased with what I see. I sure hiope that yours begin to produce soon--perhaps all they need is a bit of sun and warmth. I saw on another thread that your lottie is looking spic 'n span already. That makes ME jelous!
Ok Droopy here they are (you sound as enthouastic as I feel )-- The broccoli seed types were: "Early Purple Sprouting" "Rudolf" "Redhead" I can't find the seed pack for the fourth sort, darn it.
