April 2009 Update
Well, if that was April we’ve had it. A pleasant, but changeable month and one which heralded a great deal of positive activity down on the plot. First thing to report is that we have already been totally amazed by the effectiveness of our bunny repelling fence and are gradually regaining our excitement and vigour after the past few years of difficulties. It should be a good year if we can now deter the pigeons and the weather stays warm (fingers crossed).
This month, our main job was to erect and secure our very own Poly Tunnel at the rear of our Lottie to grow some toms and chillies etc. This went up quickly and easily, rapidly turning our rather unworked and rugged area to the back of the site, into something very productive indeed. Having learnt lessons from our last few escapades with such structures, this time we were aiming for maximum rigidity and minimum movement to prevent against wind damage. To achieve this, we first sank a breeze block into the centre of the space that the poly tunnel would inhabit, with a thick rope rising from it attaching to the roof of the frame. Then, utilising the hoops for guy ropes already incorporated into the design of the cover, we attached a breeze block to each corner stabilising it even further. After the application of some weed proof membrane it was pretty much ready to house our hot crops, which this year will include melons and cucumbers.
Our sowings last month are all looking very healthy and appear to have suffered very little in the way of damage from pests, a most encouraging site when all you’ve been used to seeing for a while is leafless stalks. Some rows such as carrots and parsnips (our persistently difficult crops) did need a certain degree of re-sowing and inter-sowing to fill the odd gap. Attempts were made to cover these difficult species with horticultural fleece to try and help them on their way a little more, but the continuously blustery conditions regularly saw this dispatched from its intended position and wrapped around our fence. Other varieties doing well were our spuds, which are making their presence felt and our herb bed which is looking incredibly lush and well established all of a sudden.
We also planted out some Broad Beans which we had sown in pots and were desperate to get themselves in the ground. We tried to protect these with a covering of fleece as well, but unfortunately this also suffered from the wind and so, was removed after a short time.
Our ever-reliable fruit patch is already showing signs of living up to its name this season. With a large amount of berry holding growth on the raspberries, the first good picking of rhubarb and a vast number of wonderful little fruits forming on the Goosegog bushes, we’re bracing ourselves for a bumper crop and already buying in the sugar for jams and preserves. Watch this space to see how we fair with this harvest, one which has been the mainstay of our take-home crops over the past few years.
On the aesthetic front, the flower beds are looking great and were complimented well by the displays of blossom along the side from the fruit trees. At one point, after a good mow and general bit of TLC, we took this photograph which shows the plot looking rather chipper and something nice to refer back to, once the drying sun does its work later in the year.
During our visits we have been noticing a lot of bird activity, including what we think is a mating pair of Kestrels that regularly come and shout at us from one of the larger trees. Notoriously fast and shy, we have been trying for so long to get a shot of one of these beautiful predatory birds to add to the site. Finally, we managed to get a one of them in the cherry tree at the end of our Lottie, but were not able to get too close for fear of frightening it away. It is there ……….. honest!! Amazing camouflage eh?
Finally, check out our “Can You Help Us Page” as we’ve spotted a very weird looking fungus growing in our manure heap. With no ideas what it might be, whether it’s ok to leave alone or perhaps harmful – it’s got us a bit concerned. Any ideas on its identity or properties would be most welcome. See you at the end of May Lottieblogs readers!
