I definitely think I have earned my classy National Trust Head Gardener's mug. Both raised beds are looking splendid, and I am getting positive comments from passing dog-walkers! That said, my splendid crop of broad beans has been decimated by blackfly over the weekend.
My stock of gardening equipment is coming along nicely... Monty Don advises keeping your watering cans full, for three reasons - That will free up space in the waterbutts in case of rain
- It will weigh them down and stop the plastic ones blowing about the garden if there is wind
- They are ready for a quick dash round watering to tomatoes etc.
Julian was with us three days- and the morning after he went home, his late Mum's "Blessings" rose finally bloomed. Typical! The Egyptian Walking Onions grow more triffid-like than ever. The original bulbils at the top of the stems have developed into little clusters of small red and white onions [size of a spring onion] and then another stem plus bulbil is shooting out from each cluster. Kirsten advises putting some pots of compost around for the bulbils to plant themselves into. You can break off the little'uns* from the cluster, and eat them as spring onions or pickle them. Or leave them to grow on to shallot size. Eat them as shallots, or replant. And the green stems can be chopped up and used like chives.
* leave some to sustain the new bulbils. As I have tomatoes, mini cucumbers and salad leaves almost ready to harvest, I can add in a sliced little onion too. As these were a gift from Kirsten, they should be called my Egyptian Walking Onions [Kirsten's] or EWOKs for short!
It sounds like your garden is thriving, even though the broad beans didn't do too well. The roses are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless.
DeleteLove the EWOK moniker! Well done on your gardening success! I remain unsuccessful and not getting anything done thos year. Even my sure bet, the raspberries, seem to have given up the ghost! Kezzie x
ReplyDeleteYou've been so busy, I doubt you've had much gardening time. I definitely couldn't have done this before retirement
DeleteIsn't gardening satisfying? Of course it can be frustrating, disappointing and back-breaking as well. The rose is lovely what a shame it didn't bloom for Julian to see. Seems we are in for a fine spell of weather, whoopee. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI sent Julian pictures straightaway. Very sunny here this 🌅 morning
DeleteChampion gardener! Grandpa used to douse blackfly with washing up liquid in water.
ReplyDeleteI found that advice on the internet too. They have duly been sprayed.
DeleteI had never heard of walking onions but they sound like fun! JanF
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to tasting them soon
DeleteYour watering can family and Goldilocks made me smile. Thank you x
ReplyDelete👍😊
DeleteWhat a pity the rose waited to bloom, but I'm sure Julian must have seen the colour on the bud at least? Nice to have admiring comments about your raised planters, from passersby. I think seeing healthy plants gives us all a lift.
ReplyDeleteYes, flowers bring joy to the soul
DeleteI should look out for Egyptian walking onion as I used to grow them on the allotment (they are one of those plants that folk love to ‘share’). I dug up my garlic today - one of my ‘bankers ’ - as the weather seemed appropriately garlicky. It’s drying off in the greenhouse now. Thank goodness I picked and made jam (nine jars - very pleased with that) with my red gooseberry crop last week. It was a case of pick them early or the mice would eat them all. I’ve already lost my entire strawberry crop and ALL the apples from three youngish trees to the squirrels. But I’m being very zen and calm about it all and focussing on the successes which so far this season have been asparagus, rhubarb and lots of lovely salad leaves and more lovely things to come hopefully. You are doing so well Ang, because it’s not easy. Sarah in Sussex
ReplyDeleteThe road through the village is called "gooseberry Hill" at one point. I'm told it was lined with wild fruit bushes. All gone now, apart from a couple in the garden opposite the village shop. I think I must become calmer, and learn to accept wildlife need to eat too. Thank you for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteYou're delight in your garden is very apparent! Keep going.x
ReplyDeleteI will do, Ann 🌱🌿🌾
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