A Challenging Year So Far
It's not my best year
This year has thrown more than the normal level of challenges for me in the garden. Some very cold temperatures in mid June had a major impact on many of the more tender plants. My home is by the river and at this time of year is a degree or two colder than the local town. They didn’t get frosted but the cold stopped the beans in their tracks and many of the other plants only developed slowly.
There is nothing that you can do about the weather, somethings enjoy the lower temperatures while others wait until things improve. My vegetable plot has also suffered badly from some baby pheasants that have decided it’s the perfect banquet. Their small size meant they quickly cleaned up my first and replacement sowing of runner beans despite my best efforts to protect them. I have enjoyed a good harvest of peas and the cabbages are growing well (They were easier to protect). Even my carrots in the greenhouse proved too much of a temptation for a passing squirrel. The tomatoes are starting to ripen and as usual I will have enough to feed an army. The cucumbers have done very well, Cucumber Mini Munch has been spectacular! The main thing is to make sure everything is well watered and regularly feed with a quality plant food.
Most of the potatoes I planted are ready to harvest. I tend to grow first and second earlies and my experience with the late crop is the dreaded potato blight takes over. Next time we will see what the harvest looks like from my pots.
The flowering pots are beginning to put on a show and there have been plenty of sweet peas to fill the house. Remember regular deadheading (removing seed pods) will make a big different to maintaining a great flower display.
Don’s Vegetable Plot
My friend Don has won prizes at many vegetable growing competitions upto national level. At a recent visit to his garden it was clear why he is able to win so many prizes. The following pictures show his attention to detail.
The carrots are planted in large barrels, and he covers them with a fine mesh to avoid getting carrot fly. Carrot fly is able to detect the smell of carrots from some distance. If you need to thin your crop out then do this in the evening and then throw all the remaining bits away to avoid them picking up the smell.
You will also see healthy early crop of beans, the later crop will produce long straight beans read for showing.
One final thing
With gardening always think ahead. Take a look at the seeds you can plant now. I have some Cyclamen I planted back in February which are ready for their final pot and hopefully flowers from the end of August into the New Year.
