Doug's been fleeced!

The weather was good this weekend so we thought we'd make the most of it.

It's still unseasonably warm here on the south coast which is good for me who feels the cold very easily, good for Phil because I'm not warming my cold feet on his back and good for the growth in Doug.

We have been warned that if there is too much growth now, it can cause issues when the cold weather does hit but we're still working under the assumption that anything we do grow is a bonus.  

The brassicas are pretty much surviving.  Some are falling foul of slugs but many are growing and getting bushier.  While the good weather continues, the cloches are not making much of a difference, we're sure this will change as winter progresses.  The garlic is huge!  Most of our broad beans have now emerged and some are looking rather good!  The shallots have also grown a lot, so we're just really waiting for the onions to peek through (there's three shoots now but it would be good if the rest of the two rows to show soon.)

Some of the herbs have thrived since we re-planted them.  The coriander, we fear, probably won't make it but it was always a possibility that some of them wouldn't survive.  The fruit bushes all appear to be doing well and our rhubarb crown has a new shoot - really exciting!

We were also offered a taste of the neighbouring plot-owner's rice wine brew... very potent!  I had a cup of it (Phil just had a sip since he was driving.)  Apart from making my accent rather thick, I appeared to suffer no ill effects and it was rather delicious!

Our final task was to start protecting the shoots with fleece.  We constructed a frame over which the fleece fitted rather nicely - more by luck than design I hasten to add.  It should help protect the garlic, broad beans and shallots against the worst of the elements.  We have been told that the local foxes like to use it as a trampoline so we are fully expecting the whole thing to have collapsed by the time we go back.  We have had footprints over the black ground-cover material, so we wouldn't be surprised if we have foxy issues:)  Time will tell! 

Bigger shoots and more herbs!

It was a very quick visit today.  We spent much of the morning at the Remembrance Parade but wanted to at least plant some new herbs.

Our garlic is now almost 6" high and many of the broad beans are peeking through.  Our hope over the next week is that the bean shoots are not destroyed by pigeons and/or slugs and/ or whitefly before we can cover them with netting.  The shallots are also growing taller by the week.

The assorted brassicas appear, in the main, to have taken well and are beginning to show signs of getting bushier.  They were always going to be one of the things that were a bonus if they survived at all but appear to be proving that it's good living down in the milder south.  The plants under the cloches at the moment only appear marginally better than those outside, I'm sure the difference will become more pronounced as winter progresses.  Once it starts to get really cold, we'll probably cover more of the crops with a fleece to help keep them protected.

We picked up some potted herbs in Asda - mint, parsley and coriander - and these have now been added to our herb area.  The sage, thyme, rosemary and lemon balm from previous weeks all look to be taking well, so with luck we'll have quite a plethora of flavour available to us in the spring.

 
The other news is that we have bought a cold frame for Nigel.  This will allow us to harden off the seedlings produced on the windowsill before they then go out to Doug.  Peas next :)

Herbs and shoots!

How exciting!!!!   We went to see the progress of the garlic etc. last Sunday and were absolutely stunned by the growth.  Many of the garlic shoots were over 3" tall, a few of the broad beans were showing through and there was even signs of the red onions peeking through from last week.  

Unfortunately, my back was still not quite right, so I was unable to do anything except sit and watch as Phil and Lyta did all the work.  I did my best to sit meekly and quietly while they worked hard - obviously only giving much-needed direction when they asked for it.....

We (and I'm using the royal "we" here, obviously) planted out a few herbs from Nigel - sage, thyme and lemon balm.  Nigel's herbs had been very pot-bound so we're hoping that their new-found freedom will help them to thrive.  We will be adding more to our herb collection soon.  I have planted some purple basil seeds along with garlic chive at home so those can be planted out into Doug next spring when they're properly grown.

Lyta also helped Phil to cover some of the ground we won't be using until next spring.  It seems a waste to have to keep weeding that particular patch when covering it does the same job. This area will be the all-important purple potato, purple carrot, purple tomato patch next spring so we want to keep it as clear as possible.  

Back next week to check on the shoots and start to consider what needs covering and protecting - more from birds and animals at the moment than frost, but also from the elements as autumn progresses.....

...coming soon in the next exciting installment.... will the cauliflower last the winter... will we see a gooseberry next spring .... will Lyta ever manage more than 5 minutes of weeding in one go.... find out sooon in Doug the Allotment :)