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March Week Three Sunday 25th 2007 This week we drafted in family reinforcements to help with the remaining problem of the stumps still present on our plot. Due to some problems with timing as a result of the clocks going forward, we arrived slightly later than we had planned and discovered three other members of the family hard at work. They had already removed three of the remaining four stumps and we then helped them in tackling the biggest, most troublesome and final one. This, following some axing, sawing, and finally pummelling by a sixteen pound lump hammer, eventually gave up the ghost. Following this, we were able to fill in the large holes we had left in their place, raked the soil and planted our remaining onion sets. 'Timmmbbberrrrrrrrrr' Following on, we were able to complete the planting of some early crops. We planted the remaining 'Charlotte seed potatoes' and then erected the bean pole wigwams at the front of the plot which will support the broad beans, runner beans, and french beans. 
'Bean Poles' When these were up we planted the broad beans we had raised from seed, the Aquadulce nearest the path and then the Giant Exhibition Longpod further down the row. At the base of these seedlings we put a handful of shredded paper to preserve moisture and a handful of organic chicken manure pellets to get them off to a flying start. They were then tied to the bean poles, and given a good watering in. Some temporary protection in the form of part of our rabbit proof fence was placed around them to try and deter any inquisitive herbivores - we look forward to seeing their continued growth and hopefully some pods soon. 
'Crop protection' Our final job today was to alter the makeup of the fruit patch slightly. We were then able to build a more substantial frame for the raspberries to grow up, this will also allow us later in the season to suspend netting in order to prevent our fruit crops being eaten, as much as last year. After the sixth piece of wood being hammered into the ground and nailed in place, we realised we had constructed a Monolith part 2. We look forward to how successful it will be at deterring fruit eating pests this summer. We will keep you updated on its progress. 
'Mono-bi' This week we have also been observing the growth and germination of our seedlings at home. We are happy to see the brassicas how almost a 100% germination rate and have been moved for hardening off in the conservatory. However, disaster has also struck our runner beans (from the pot we discovered in the shed when we took our plot on - labelled 1989) have not enjoyed the recent cold spell during their time in our outside greenhouse and are looking distinctly poorly. We feel another sowing of beans may be in order, so that they are ready for planting out soon. Our tomatoes on the other hand are reaching for the skies and although we are being more cautious and planning to keep them indoors slightly longer it should not be long until they are ready for a cooler environment and pricking out. 
'Playing Ketchup' |
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