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Sandy soils in the south-east are very hot and dry now with plants potentially under great stress. To avoid this watering is being done on a ten day cycle giving a good drenching to really saturate the top 25cm. Thirsty celery, celeriac and runner beans are done on a five day cycle. There is no need...
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The spring has been very kind so far. Two weeks ago we had a useful bit of rain that helped wash the newly planted Brussels sprouts plants into the ground. Before that we had some dry weather that provided an opportunity to wipe out weeds and sow more seeds. When the rains came, the seeds, especially...
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It has been a good week for biodiversity. While cleaning and sorting onions into those for late winter storage, ones to use before December and the rest to use as soon as possible, I saw, through the corner of my eye, a rather dirty onion get up and walk off. On inspection this unusual onion was a toad...
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At last allotment work is easing off and the plot is mostly up to date. I have to say I am relieved – it has been a bit hectic harvesting and replanting at the same time. With only six weeks or so of growing weather left, plants must not run short of nutrients. However everything looks mighty lush and...
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Planting-out is nearly done with celery, celeriac and tomatoes going out last night. This followed planting of summer and early autumn cabbages, cauliflowers and calabrese as an intercrop in between where the winter cabbages, sprouting broccoli and kales will be planted at the end of the month. The cool...
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Colder weather has led to nasty little ground frosts that have nipped the spuds. Only the ‘Charlotte’ has been badly affected, where about half the plants are unlikely to come to anything now. The others should all recover soon. Perversely, salads begin to mature when the weather turns chilly with the...
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