I should have taken a 'before' pic, as this 'after' pic is unimpressive despite much hard work clearing forget-me-nots, tall broad-bladed grass (where has that sneaked in from?), chickweed and wayward raspberry shoots.
The tulips are lovely - they do well each year despite having a fairly nomadic lifestyle as I inadvertently dig them up and shove 'em back in all through the later months.
I've been away, so it was good to see that the plot - front border notwithstanding - is not all wildly weedy, which I put down to some thorough bed prep in the winter once I had those new dalek composters on the go.
The last photo I put up was of the garlic, looking good - well they've come on very well in the last 3 wks or so, as shown here. The POTATOES are all showing some shoots, too, also the CHARD and maybe some of the sowings of PARSNIP and BEETROOT.
Not the faintest sign of the bloody CARROTS though - I'll sow a row from a different packet this weekend, I think, as it could be that seed is a bit on the elderly side. Or slugs, maybe.
The PEAS and BROAD BEANS are looked good too - they seem to have survived being planted out pretty well, although the sweet peas seem to be sulking a bit.
At home, the KALE and LEEKS were bursting out the pots and asking to be planted out (well, I've yet to get leeks the regulatory 'pencil thickness' prior to planing out, but the grass-like seedlings looked ready to go nonetheless), so I got those done. I was daydreaming a bit when planting out the kale, and only stopped when I got to twelve, so I might have over-egged the omelette a bit there. I'll be short of room for other brassicas if I'm not careful.
Speaking of which, at home, I sowed a pinch of CAULIFLOWER, RED CABBAGE, CABBAGE, and BRUSSELS SPROUTS, and some more LETTUCE and LEEKS.
The FRENCH BEANS are all up, with varying levels of vigour; the TOMATO plants that I entrusted to a friend whilst I was away were returned looking very perky, and although there is no sniff of the second sowing of both the SPRING ONION and PEPPER seeds, the courgette are up there too.
Oh - and why was it a Red Letter Day? Because I cut the first ASPARAGUS spear. I've been waiting three years for this moment.
And absolutely delicious it was too. Here's to very many more!
I've been weeding raspberry beds too and was pleased to note that the parsnips and carrots are germinating - always a tense time!
ReplyDeleteParsnips = some, carrots = zilch at the mo, Sue! And raspberry suckers and dandelions = a zillion, but it's all good dalek food!
DeleteMy lavender plants at the front of the plot need regenerating too - I've lost a couple over winter, and wonder if seeds are easier than cuttings? Would welcome your views.
Was it worth waiting three years for?
ReplyDeleteEverything looking splendid and I shall be most envious later in the year when you are harvesting all your veggies :}
I am so bowled over with the asparagus, Bilbo, that I will even be purchasing an asparagus steamer from Lakeland, this despite my dislike of 'gadgets', and my inherent tightness in the wallet department. Find a corner at Bag End and put them in. In fact, put them in the flower beds/borders - their feathery fronds are beautiful later in the Summer.
DeleteI'm now having to practise self restraint as I should only be 'cropping the crowns lightly' whatever the heck that means!