28th April 2019 - Harrogate Flower Show, planting potatoes and brassica cages

This week I went to the Harrogate Flower Show with my allotment neighbours, it was a fabulous show again.  I particularly liked the show garden based on Lord of the Rings (because I'm a nerd) and it really did make me laugh when someone commented that she wouldn't want "that ugly thing" (Gollum) in her garden.  The attention to detail was excellent, especially the washing line when you got around the corner.  On the entrance to the main pavilion there was an excellent floral display using a phone box, letter box and an old drum.  They were really pretty and a fabulous way to re-purpose things that aren't being used any more.

Of course there were some things to buy; for my cut flower bed I got some altermeria, poppies and pink gypsophila (I already have white).  I also got a fritillaria imperialis but I can't decide where to put it yet!


On 85 I planted out my potatoes which had been chitting in my dining room for a little while.  I don't normally chit potatoes but I thought I'd experiment and see if it makes any difference.  I don't think it will but it's always a struggle getting potatoes later to just plant.  I have planted 3 rows in one of my big beds and I still have some left over.  If I get the planks in time to build beds in 86 I'll plant them in there, otherwise I could put them in bags or give them away at the plant swap.  I also planted out some Autumn King carrots.  I have little success with sowing directly and so I had grown some in plugs and transplanted them out to the bed.

I also have some leeks in that bed to try and confuse the carrot fly but when I planted the Autumn King I put up my carrot fly screen; this is the 3rd year of using it and it's been very successful.  I do have to use 3 and overlap them because there is a gap of about 12" which is very frustrating!

I have never been successful with brassica's (with the exception of swede); I have tried different types of netting but the caterpillars always seem to still get in.  One of the main challenges is that when insects get under the nets it has been very difficult to get in to sort them out.  I have therefore got hold of a couple of brassica cages which fit perfectly in these beds.  I put the first one up on Saturday when it was blowing a gale and so I was able to make sure that I had done everything possible to keep them safe in windy conditions.  They have a zip door on each end, which is perfect for getting inside and checking on the crops.  They're also tall enough for broccoli and sprouts so I won't have to worry about them pressing against the top.

In the polytunnel I have discovered that I was watering my lemon tree incorrectly.  I had been watering it as part of the normal watering system but watching Gardeners World last week Monty Don said that they should be left to dry and only watered once a week with a seaweed feed.  I therefore took the tree immediately off of the drip system and this week I have watered with the seaweed.  I have already noticed that the tree is starting to put on new growth and I'm hopeful that the change in regime will help it to thrive.  I mentioned last week that the peach seems to have fruit, I'm also happy to report that the fig tree is doing well and the grape has also started to leaf up.

I am counting down the days until I can plant out in earnest and put all of the tender plants out.  I'm also looking forward to planting the hanging baskets with summer bedding plants and getting more of my summer flowering plants into the cut flower bed.  I'm also looking forward to getting my fruit trees out and making space for the tomatoes and cucumbers in the bed.  I still need to finish weeding my beds, the top half of the plot is done but I need to get on with the rest of it.

Until next time...
Happy Gardening x