Radio Silence broken - Plots in bloom

It's been a while since the last post to the project 63 site, and despite the 'radio silence' there has been quite a lot taking place. All around the site plots are looking good with all the endeavours of the owners, with splashes of colour and swathes of green as the growing season gets into full swing.

In terms of project 63, decisions have been taken in terms of the crops for this season, and the first trug of vegetables has already been readily accepted on behalf of the homeless, one of the two charitable organisations we plan to support.

Aside of broad beans (which in the main took well and are now cropping) the onions - which don't look that great, and garlic which appears in good shape, an extra bed of strawberries are being cultivated this year (last year one bed used to grow carrots, celtuce and later a small crop of Mooli).



Potatoes were planted over a month ago, and these have now been complimented with several different varieties of courgettes, some which cropped exceptionally well last year, plus a couple of others that we are trying, and a variety of squashes. we have borrowed and idea from Darryl in terms of two pallets locked together to encourage the squashes to grow up and are hoping that we can produce as prolifically as he seems to manage!



Sweet corn is in the cage (having cleared out a veritable forest of weeds), and the poly tunnel plays host to various tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and an assortment of peppers.

The two larger raised beds kindly built by the community payback scheme have been topped up with compost and sewn with various varieties of carrots, Radicchio, Rocket, and in the other Fennel, Celtuce, Mooli, and various different radishes. The beds have been covered over very crudely with some chicken wire so that as far as possible we can avoid any interference, and heavily watered.

The wildlife area is encouraging, looks good thanks to the artistry of Karen's planting, and teaming with wildlife which we hope will mature and provide an army of predators to keep the dreaded slug and snail population under control.



Finally, we have planted several rows of beetroot, parsnips (some of which have struggled) and this year are experimenting with two types of celeriac.

So pretty busy, despite the lack of posts on the website. Please don't forget, if you have additional fruit and vegetables that maybe excess to requirement, to contact Karen or Ray Lawrence if you would like to donate to the two charity organisations we are supporting this year.