Sunday 30th July
Having cleared a patch yesterday I wanted to get my leeks planted today.
However on the way in I stopped at the blackboard to chalk up a Blight warning, having had to clear some potato haulms yesterday and received a Blightwatch email overnight.
Last Sunday I had purchased two bunches of leek plants but in my jet-lagged state I left them in the bag for two days so they had gone a bit yellow. So, to guarantee a crop, I bought another bunch on the way in.
It didn't take long to level the soil from digging up potatoes yesterday and I soon had my line stretched out and was pushing my dibber making 6 inch deep holes every 6 inches along it. Last night's rain meant the soil was ideal for making the holes without loose earth falling into the holes and filling them in again. A bunch of plants gave enough for a 12 foot row. I planted the newest plants in the first row then used the older plants.
Breaking off to go and have a coffee and cake at the cafe I got the chance to ask Hugh Merrett, our President, if planting the yellowing plants was worthwhile. Having been reassured, I returned and planted a third row using almost all the plants I had bought. Just one hole caused any difficulty but digging down with a trowel revealed a large potato missed in the harvesting! I wonder how many tiny ones have been left behind to sprout again next spring. It is always difficult, nay impossible, to remove every single potato when harvesting however careful you are!
A can of water had all the leeks watered into their holes.
Buried in the bank of weeds in the asparagus bed is a short row of late cropping leeks (if they have survived) and will make a fourth row!
Leaving everything else to my next visit, I went home early to go and enjoy the RNLI Funday on Mudeford Quay.
Having cleared a patch yesterday I wanted to get my leeks planted today.
However on the way in I stopped at the blackboard to chalk up a Blight warning, having had to clear some potato haulms yesterday and received a Blightwatch email overnight.
Last Sunday I had purchased two bunches of leek plants but in my jet-lagged state I left them in the bag for two days so they had gone a bit yellow. So, to guarantee a crop, I bought another bunch on the way in.
It didn't take long to level the soil from digging up potatoes yesterday and I soon had my line stretched out and was pushing my dibber making 6 inch deep holes every 6 inches along it. Last night's rain meant the soil was ideal for making the holes without loose earth falling into the holes and filling them in again. A bunch of plants gave enough for a 12 foot row. I planted the newest plants in the first row then used the older plants.
Breaking off to go and have a coffee and cake at the cafe I got the chance to ask Hugh Merrett, our President, if planting the yellowing plants was worthwhile. Having been reassured, I returned and planted a third row using almost all the plants I had bought. Just one hole caused any difficulty but digging down with a trowel revealed a large potato missed in the harvesting! I wonder how many tiny ones have been left behind to sprout again next spring. It is always difficult, nay impossible, to remove every single potato when harvesting however careful you are!
A can of water had all the leeks watered into their holes.
Buried in the bank of weeds in the asparagus bed is a short row of late cropping leeks (if they have survived) and will make a fourth row!
Leaving everything else to my next visit, I went home early to go and enjoy the RNLI Funday on Mudeford Quay.
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