What I did today - 2019

[ameno]

Dug out the tired old rhubarb plant on the allotment. It was mostly either weedy bits or else had already turned to compost, but I managed to salvage two good-sized bits with large buds.
I then dug over the whole area, digging out the masses of bind weed. I discovered that my comfrey patch has a layer of compost almost 2 inches deep over it, presumably from years of decomposing comfrey leaves, so I scooped a bit of that off and dug it into the patch I just dug.
Sometime soon, I'll replant those two bits of crown and also transfer one of my rhubarb plants from home into the newly dug patch.

[lolie]

Moved the rusty planter containing the Tiny Tim tomatoes so it gets more sun. Transplanted a Sungold tomato into a raised bed.

I'm not sure that either was a good idea but my tomatoes seem to have stalled this year so I need to change something. If I get a chance I'll put a red currant and a yellow currant tomato in a bed a bit later.

Had to give everything a good soaking.

Pulled out the old leaf celery and replaced it with two seedlings. I didn't keep any in reserve so I hope at least one of them takes off.

[Gillykat]

Just a few indoor jobs in the greenhouse today as, after five days of rain, the soil and ground was a tad damp

Potted up 12 cloves of Elephant Garlic and *drum roll please* actually remembered to label them!!!

Repotted a few tender perennials which will overwinter in the greenhouse - 2 Abutilon, 1 Rhodochiton and 1 Fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus)

Potted up a Mountain Ash sapling into a pot which actually has drainage holes....poor thing was put *temporarily* into a bucket until I sorted out a place for it in the spring and has been flooded a few times...I'm surprised it's still alive!

[lolie]

Gave everything a feed of liquid fertilisers and added potassium sulfate for the acid loving plants.

Was going to transplant some more tomatoes but it's too hot, so I'll wait until it's cooler in a couple of days.

I have more seeds due to arrive. No doubt I will sow them, even though I don't have a home planned for them.

[ameno]

My new raspberry canes arrived today, so I planted those.
I also replanted the rhubarb crown I dug up a few days ago.

[lolie]

Planted red currant, yellow currant, and black cherry tomato seedlings out into raised beds.

[ESBkevin]

Our first proper frost this morning (two weeks early per the expected statistic for this area). So I went out in my dressing gown (obviously - I like to be eye candy the local ladies), and moved the plastic worm bin into the greenhouse and fed them a chopped banana skin, some grapes and raspberries plus the contents of 7 tea bags. I like to spoil them now an again.
I guess this means everything will be black at the weekend and major cutting back will need to take place, and also remove the last of the tomatoes from the greenhouse.

[lolie]

Was terribly windy here today so I had to water the small pots. Between the heat and the wind I've been having to water most days so the plants aren't getting much of a chance to establish deep roots.

[greenishfing]

Yet again pouring rain here but as I had already got ham out of the freezer for leek and ham pie I paddled around the allotment and dug some leeks up and decided to pull a swede up (all excessively muddy). I decided to leave the cauliflower for a few more days as it is still wrapped tight and doesn't seem in danger of rotting away (sinking maybe though). I am happy to see a few more garlic have poked their heads up.
Nearly blew a fuse when as we got home my husband walked straight into the bedroom (muddy boots - beige carpet) and then to add insult to injury threw his saturated jacket on the bed (my side). I think he might be giving me a hint that he'll stay at home next time I go down there in the rain!!!!!

[Bren In Pots]

Pulled out the last courgette plants when it stops raining I'll be covering the bed with dalek compost.

[lolie]

Gave everything a good, early morning soaking. Side dressed the raised beds and large pots with wetting agent and slow release fertiliser.

Pruned the tomatoes quite savagely, removing the lower leaves and side shoots.

[Small pumpkin]

Turned my compost and harvested stuff.

[lolie]

Repotted the blueberry I bought last weekend. It was extremely dry despite daily watering so it's now sitting in a bucket of water for an hour or two.

Snipped the tops off the spring onion seedlings so they don't rot from touching the ground - a trick I learned on here (in a thread about growing leeks, I believe).

Put together a climbing frame for the climbing spinach.

[Small pumpkin]

Bob re built my compost bin lid. Then he helped empty the big tubs.

[Baldy]

bleddy rain stopped play