We've had a lot of rain in the past few weeks. Lots of heavy showers in the afternoons, and a heavy persistent load today. I never thought I'd be happy to see rain, but being a gardener puts a different perspective on things. There's actually not that much to do at the moment except sit back and watch things grow, and occassionally get some successional sowings of peas, beans and herbs in. So, most of the action this week has been indoors...
There is still the slight risk of frost, so have kept the potatoes under horticultural polythene on some evenings, just in case. The planter in the foreground has some parsnips in it, which I germinated on tissue in the kitchen to see if the seeds we still viable. I carefully planted them out and saw nothing for a few weeks. Thought the worst, but the seedlings have started to show. Parsnips are VERY slow, but worth it.
The greenhouse staging is creaking under the weight of the seedlings in gravel trays. Hope it doesn't collapse on me like the last lot did.
Vine is coming on well. Laterals have been tied in to sticks and will need pruning at 5 leaves, then sub-lateral off at 1 leaf. No sign of any fruit yet. Invested in some sticky fly-traps that have caught all sorts of bugs. Useful to know what's about to eat everything. Indicates when to take evasive action...
Shallots, Chinese Cabage, Kale and Beetroot are all marching on...
...as are the Leeks. When these early crops are out of the way in a few weeks it will be the turn of Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Butternut Squashes.
Marigold seedlings have gone outside to harden off.
Finally, my experiment with shop-bought fruit seems to be working. Clementines, Lemons and Kiwi Fruit have all germinated. Yippee!!!
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