It isn't just about managing what you grow!

It is rapidly dawning on yours truly that the art of the allotment is not just about managing what you determine to grow, but managing all those things that you don't want to grow, or encourage. Having recovered from the shock that a week on vacation heralds an invasion of weeds, the slightest moisture whether rain or a serious watering has a similar effect. With Karen and yours truly spending the last couple of saturdays dealing with the intruders, a certain degree of paranoia seems to creep in. I am sure by the time a visit to the cabin to consume the day before's left over chinese and return, that several of the intrepid beasties had protruded.......

None the less, project 63 seems to be taking shape. Protection for the strawberries has been provided, and despite the best attempts of the local badger population, the carrots (although a little sparse) and the celtuce seem unaffected. Once the weed infestation was cleared, the beetroot, parsnips seem to be sprouting, although the Kohl Rabi and turnip seem to be absent. The runner beans, several different types all seem to be protruding, and the area by the manure heap now hosts two different type of courgette, Tondo di Piacenza and Zucchini, plus Butternut squash.



Monday's weather was a little off, and the writer bagged the plumb job of working the poly tunnel, whilst commandeering the radio and tuning in to test match special. The area to the left as you walk in now has tomato, peppers and a couple of aubergines, whilst on the other side the soil has been turned over, a healthy dose of manure and some peat added, in preparation for the planting of our jungle seeds.



Peter Hunnable has kindly nurtured several Cucamelons, and the airing cupboard at home has been relieved of stuffing cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata) plants. There is some space remaining for some melons thus ensuring that our ambition to experiment sets off.

Finally, going back to the original theme, the black fabric by the shed was cut and lifted to enable the sunflowers and some colour in the form of dahlia's to be planted only to herald a veritable army of slugs.



I read somewhere, 'know your enemies', and with this in mind watch future posts for some further information on the 'Allotment keepers friends and foes'.