What is everyone else doing?

[dexterdoglancashire]

How are other Grapes manging to do all their tasks on their lotties during this spell of horrible, wet and windy weather? The weather has been awful up here in Lancashire, so I haven't been able to get into my back garden for a couple of weeks and now everything is looking soaked and neglected! Should I force myself out in the rain, complete with waterproofs? Any tips, advice, help most welcome! a damp and wet dexterdog PS no i'm not being lazy! honest

[nick the grief]

Do as little as possible Dexter for two reasons.

1. You'll do more damage to the soil structure than good if you try and dig when it's wet.
2. Yopu'll end up damaging yourself!! You'll be cold & the muscles are easily damages when your cold. The soil will be so b***dy heavy you'll need a truss

Just do the bare minimum you can to maintain things

[User Removed]

I agree with Nick, take it easy and do the minimum that you needs doing and take it easy.
But you will need to make sure your crops are all ok during the bad weather and make sure tall crops such as beans, peas and sweetcorn don't fall over (Like ours have done)

[dexterdoglancashire]

Dear Nick and Adam - many thanks for the most welcome advice! Although I've got the enthusiasm, the weather just hasn't allowed me to go out there. I know I am lucky because my "lottie" is my back garden, but it must be even more horrible for those who have proper lotties and have to make a concerted effort to get out there and get the jobs done. dexterdog
PS more time to spend on the Vine!

[Snadger]

I've been in the shed checking for leaks (not leeks!). It was built not long ago and I needed to know whether it was rainfast?

It was like being inside a big base drum but at least I was dry while I strung my onions. Managed to get a few shelves put up as well.

Still loads to do on shed but as soon as the sun comes out I get out there as we have very free draining soil, and apart from that I run a no dig system, well maybe a "tickle the surface system" Lol

[Shortie]

It was like being inside a big base drum

I've never been inside one myself Snadger!

[Earthbabe]

I've confined myself to the bare minimum. Wind was shocking down here at the weekend and it was quite wet so contented myself with checking everything was watertight/intact and picked what I could without getting drenched.

I've got a lot to do over the next few weeks as well as some studying and of course working so I'm hoping the weather picks up. It's quite warm today and there is talk of an "indian summer" but who knows.

[dexterdoglancashire]

lets hope so earthbabe - keep an eye on the weather threads! dexterdog

[Earthbabe]

I do dexterdog but so far I seem to be talking to myself!! Will check out the weather forecasts link though.

[Snadger]

I've never been inside one myself Snadger!

Try going on holiday in a caravan when its raining...you'll soon get the idea!

[number 1 suspect]

The wind was so strong that I have learnt how to do horizontal gardening. Will be looking around for spare wood/pallets to build some sort of windbreak down one side of my patch. Got trees one end fence along the side and a cemetry on the other so only need to shelter down one side. The good thing about the cemetry is that when its time to go I only have to move from one plot to another :-D

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi No1 - I used to live next door to a cemetery as well - nice and peaceful isnt it? no noisy parties! dexterdog

[nick the grief]

Dead Quiet I would say

[number 1 suspect]

The only problem we have is on haloween some bugger nicks all the pumpkins :-)

[OverWyreGrower]

While the weather has been nasty I've been finding 101 ways to cook/preserve plums!

I've done one batch of jam (6lbs of plums), and 2kg of plums as crumble filling (now in the freezer), and I've probably got another 6-8lbs to make into more jam!

Definitely going to prune the plum trees back this year!

Apparantly it's going to be nice this weekend in Lancashire *crosses fingers*