I've finally covered all the vacant ground with horse litter, including under the fruit bushes. As I mulched under my standard blackcurrant I saw it had grown some suckers from the rootstock. I didn't have time to remove them completely so just trimmed them off at about a foot. I will have to deal with them later by trying to tear them off the root - or at least cut them off as close to the root as possible.
It was a good time to remove the netting from round the fruit to let the birds in to eat up some of the creepy crawlies.
I also managed to find space to plant the blackcurrant bush and thornless blackberry donated to me by a friend who is giving up his plot. I love freebies!
I harvested the last of the Swiss Chard for now. Hopefully it will have re-sprouted in late January when I return from my Christmas break to the United States. I also harvested some parsnips, one beauty over a foot long and several that looked more like a celeriac (a ball shape with twisted roots underneath) because I was too slow planting them out from the modules in spring.
I found some huge turnips the size of small footballs which my neighbour reassures me will still be good to eat.
I mustn't forget to have a last pick of Brussel Sprouts before going off, though there will be enough for a Xmas meal for my son who will be keeping an eye on the plot while I am away.
There will be precious little gardening in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the ground will be frozen under at least a foot of snow! I shall have to visit the nearby Ryman Gardens' huge conservatory to assuage my withdrawal symptoms by looking at the magnificent display they always have - and to visit their beautiful butterfly house.
I may post from the U.S.A. if something seems relevant - or if any of you post a comment that merits a reply!!!!!!
It was a good time to remove the netting from round the fruit to let the birds in to eat up some of the creepy crawlies.
I also managed to find space to plant the blackcurrant bush and thornless blackberry donated to me by a friend who is giving up his plot. I love freebies!
I harvested the last of the Swiss Chard for now. Hopefully it will have re-sprouted in late January when I return from my Christmas break to the United States. I also harvested some parsnips, one beauty over a foot long and several that looked more like a celeriac (a ball shape with twisted roots underneath) because I was too slow planting them out from the modules in spring.
I found some huge turnips the size of small footballs which my neighbour reassures me will still be good to eat.
I mustn't forget to have a last pick of Brussel Sprouts before going off, though there will be enough for a Xmas meal for my son who will be keeping an eye on the plot while I am away.
There will be precious little gardening in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the ground will be frozen under at least a foot of snow! I shall have to visit the nearby Ryman Gardens' huge conservatory to assuage my withdrawal symptoms by looking at the magnificent display they always have - and to visit their beautiful butterfly house.
I may post from the U.S.A. if something seems relevant - or if any of you post a comment that merits a reply!!!!!!
RSS Feed
