Comments on: Enough Rain, Thanks

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:40:13 +0000

Yes, our plot is in dire need of sunshine now, especially to ripen some of the soft fruit – the heavy rain has battered things somewhat. It seems to have been good for the brassicas though, they’re looking particularly healthy at the moment!

By: Steve in Salford

Steve in Salford — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:28:58 +0000

Hi John

Well the slugs are back, after the surfeit of rain we have had, I for one say enough for a couple of days at least, so now I can dig over the plot but no more rain. Got absolutely soaked yesterday when I went to the site. There is always something pulling at the time factor allowing you to get to the site. Never seems to be enough hours in the day but managed to crop some more potatoes, mint, thinned beetroot/turnips, picked some spinach and was given a pointy cabbage by a neighbour (which we had for dinner). Pruned my blackcurrant bushes as well, they had a single strong central stem with lots of side shoots so took out the leader to create a more bushy habit (its their first year in a new area).

Rhubarb is growing a treat, the comfrey tea seems to be working nicely, time to feed the tomatoes and pick out side shoots again and tie them in.

The comfrey tea has a interesting smell, smells mildly like a sewage works but only slightly, not like putting it straight in the water butt I believe which stinks to high heaven.

Weeds seem to have taken over some parts and a bit of weeding was done, another piece of land was dug over about 18′ x 12′, ready to put in some more potatoes for winter.

Last week I had some lovely lettuces, I use the word had as the slugs have eaten the lot of them but the peas are coming on nicely, planted those directly in the soil and are doing much better than a neighbours plot.

Are we ever happy with the weather, it’s either too hot, too cold, too dry or too wet, ah well this is the glorious United Kingdom what can we expect. Looks like rain here again in Salford this afternoon, was sunny not more than 30 minutes ago but looks like it is going to tip it down, maybe I might make it down to do some more digging later today.

As this is my first year growing on the plot it is no surprise to me how much hard work needs to go into it, to get it up to scratch, the digging is back breaking work but well worth it when you taste the fruits and vegetables at the end of it. Not following any particular planting plan this year, just get the whole thing dug over and getting as many crops in as possible.

By: Jimmy Coyle

Jimmy Coyle — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:21:07 +0000

I live in Central Scotland and we have had rain since last Tuesday! Blight on Potatoes on Saturday and all we hear on the Natonal news is about how it is so hot in the South East even where to find guidelines on how to cope with high temperatures over night, we have had the central heating back on!!! Never mind having an allotment is all about learning how to cope and that includes the weather. Good crop of earlies “Rocket” very heavy cropper for a first early. Cabbage fly hit the Caulies even with collars fitted. Site is hit every year with the Carrot fly but it passed me this year, great year, as every year, for Mare’s Tail.

Never mind the sun will come up tomorrow, well it will in some areas anyway!

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:55:10 +0000

I live in Norfolk as well and things are pretty bad on my allotment. No rain for ages and all our crops are really suffering. Butts are empty and the stream we use for getting water is dry so please send some rain our way!!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:00:56 +0000

Not all of us! I live in Norfolk and my garden is absolutely parched! if you could send along some of your rain, I shall happily accommodate the glorious stuff!