I woke yesterday and realised I'd made a mistake. My physio is this afternoon. So I reorganised my plans. I spent Tuesday morning preparing my sermon for Sunday, then began thinking about the garden, planning how I will organise my plot this year.
Everything was put on the coffee table.
There are a lot of seeds...
You are wondering about the chicken brick, aren't you? No I'm not planning on getting hens. I just feel that I've had this 45 years, and I no longer use it much [twice in 4 years]
It has has developed quite a patina of Ancient Chicken Fat. This is normal, and the instructions tell you not to clean it off with chemicals which will then leach out into your food. I do not feel I can put it into a CS looking like this then I realised it makes two lovely terracotta bowls and I can plant herbs here. So this is going to be repurposed I the garden this spring. A good result I think.
I picked up two bags of seed potatoes in a sale last week [Casablanca, and Maris Piper, grown successfully in previous years] These are "chitting" on the bedroom windowsill.
My 2024 notes say that the 'Nantes' carrots tasted good. But we didn't enjoy the beetroot! The lettuce plants from Swaffham Market were a great investment, and my spinach was unstoppable [there are still a few portions in the freezer] I'm going to try 'forcing' the rhubarb this year under a bucket [as Monty suggests in my latest Gardeners' World magazine. Previously I have let it grow 'naturally'.
It is 3½ years since Bob built the raised bed I am amazed how much I have learned, and grown. Really grateful for all the advice, help, seeds, plants and tools which so many generous folk have given.. here's hoping for more good arvests in 2025
Do share any garden plans you've got for this year...
Not yet but you have now reminded goaded?) me.
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DeleteProper organising! I start the gardening year like this... but I've no idea why the plans all collapse two or three months into the year. Every time!
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ReplyDeleteI had to smile reading your post. The house where I grew up had a long garden and my Dad had a red A4 book where he wrote all his garden plans from year to year.
ReplyDeleteWe have not made plans for our allotment yet but, touch wood, the broad beans that were planted in the autumn keep growing well.
Good idea to see which varieties of veg grow well in your soil.
I haven't really got into over-wintering plants yet. Huw's book suggests planting broad beans inside in March for a July harvest. Is it worth starting some off now, in January, do you think?
DeleteI think unless you live way down south and there may be a mild winter/spring it's not worth taking a chance planting them in January. The small plants would likely suffer frost damage and not survive. The reason we plant broad beans in the Autumn is that they are less prone to black fly which everyone seems to suffer with badly at our allotments.
DeleteThank you
DeleteYou might need to drill some drainage holes into terracotta halves. Growing herbs in them is otherwise a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that tip Philip. I'll ask Bob if he has a suitable bit on the side!
DeleteWhat a thing to ask Bob! JanF
DeleteAfter things being destroyed by cats, pigeons and giant slugs, I'm having problems getting up any enthusiasm for growing this year.
ReplyDeleteHopefully I'll be OK when the weather improves
Since the mice ate them a couple of years ago, I've had no interest in growing peas. And right now it's damp and dismal outside, so I really do not want to do anything other than sit in the warm with a cuppa and my notebook. I'm sure your "growing mojo" will come back in the Spring
DeleteYour garden plans are coming along nicely. I have some seeds I've collected, last year - broccoli, okra, and snowpeas, but, I am not sure what I want to grow this year. As always, adequate water is on my mind. We have had all of 0.2 inches of measurable rain since May 2024. Right now is supposed to be our rainy season and we have had no rain. I am anticipating drought/water restrictions this summer.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the rains come soon for you ☔☔☔
DeleteThe plans for the chicken pot sound great and I can't wait to see how your garden goes.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Philip reminded me about drainage holes before I did any planting!
DeleteI remember the chicken brick! They cooked chicken very well. Such a good idea to reuse for planting (I was going to mention drain holes). I think this year I shall just grow tomatoes, though I am tempted to return to the 'potatoes in a bag' system, maybe just one little bag.
ReplyDeleteI have been pleased with growing them in the plastic containers as you suggested last year and plan to repeat
DeleteIt sounds as though you are getting very well prepared for this years sowings. Me, I'm simply using the one raised bed that's near my little shed for growing veggies this year, and perhaps I'll put a couple of courgette plants in the wood chippings area, as they always seem to do so much better there. My tin bath at the front door can no longer be used for herbs as either birds or little creatures have discovered it and devour anything that I put out there. As Suky's ashes were placed in there last year, it's now a little memorial garden for her with a few fake flowers ... that'll stump the little thieves!!
ReplyDeleteI've not had brilliant success with courgettes yet but will keep trying
DeleteI can't wait to get out in the garden again. As we are in a new to us house, only 2 years old and the previous owners hadn't done anything. A man is coming in March to build some raised beds, put stepping stones down to the whirly and a handrail. I've got a small collection of YS plants waiting to go in. Roll on the Spring. Xx
ReplyDeleteGive me a clue, what's a YS plant, please
DeleteYellow sticker, half-price, I picked up 2 heucheras for 50p each, they had been £4. I love the colour of the leaves, there's a bright green and a chocolate coloured one. Xx
DeleteOh of course! If you'd been writing about reductions on groceries I'd have got it straightaway. 🤣🤣😭
DeleteBlissfully admiring the sun on the snow at -20°C outside, and happy that gardening is a long way off, unless I decide to start some seeds indoors. I did sort out an orchid plant yesterday and removed some dead roots.
ReplyDeleteI should look at my indoor plants too
DeleteI think placing masking tape over the places where you want the holes to be before drilling should ensure no cracks in the bricks but Bob the Builder will know better than me!!! I have seed packets from.last year so will use those. Not doing tomatoes this year. Too much faffing! I have another reliable source for fresh tomatoes!
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DeleteThe repurposed chicken brick is a brilliant idea and with some drainage holes and a bit of extra grit for drainage, you should enjoy fresh herbs this year.
ReplyDeleteHope so 🌱🌿🌱
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