This is our garden where it all started. We started off with a couple of vegetable plots and once we had got hooked put in a few more.
 

Veg Blog 2011

We have got most of the plots ready for planting up. Sown our veg seeds but have them on the back room table at the moment where they can get plenty of light. As soon as they start to shoot we will move them back in the greenhouse.

It's been a couple of weeks since planting the seeds and they are all starting to shoot now, moved  most of them back into the greenhouse, still got a few more left in the house but they will be going in soon too. This year we are growing - Tomatoes (alicante and gardeners delight), Cucumbers (telegraph), Spring Onions ('spring' white lisbon), Sweet Peppers (california Wonder and Romano), Habanero Peppers Hot!!, Chilli Peppers (caribbean Blend Hot) , Peas (onward), Dwarf French Beans (tendercrop), Sweetcorn (incredible F1), Courgettes - yellow (golden zucchini) and green (black beauty), Squash - couple of different varieties (De Nice a fruit round and yellow scallop which we have grown before), Red Onions (karmen), Carrots (autumn king 2), Beetroot (detroit 2). Still got a couple of more seeds to sow, Pak Choi (shanghai) and Radish (sparkler 3), Turnip (purple top milan), Spinach (E1 Grinta) oh and saved some seeds out of a Melon we bought for the chicks, plant them up see how they go.

This past weekend ( 27th March ) we dug over a patch at the back of the chicken pen and sown some Cabbage (primo ll) thats as long as the foxes don't dig them up, but nothing ventured nothing gained, thought we'd give it a go. We've only grown cabbage once before, had a few but then the caterpillars got them!! See how we go this year. Ian also planted the Potatoes.

Cabbages have started to sprout at the back of the chicken pen. The seedlings are coming along nicely in the greenhouse. Planted out the peas today (18th April), they look nice and strong. Onions and Sweetcorn are ready to plant out too. Potatoes have just started to sprout, just about see the leaves through the soil.

Most of the veg have been planted out in the garden and are all doing well. The potatoes are coming along a treat. Sweetcorn seemed a little slow to get started at first but now is looking strong. Peas are doing well along with the Runner Beans and French Beans. Courgettes and squash look a little weak at the moment, have put extra seeds in the greenhouse in case they don't do very well.  We've bought another plum tree, it's very dark purple in colour, never heard of this variety before "JoJo". The Victoria Plum is absolutely loaded this year again. We've actually got a few Blueberries this year, if the birds will keep off them and the Red Currant has masses of fruit. The birds love them too so we will have to net them like we did last year, that seemed to stop the little rascals from eating them!!

Today (9th May) sown Turnip, Spinach and Pak Choi in tubs on the patio. Planted out the Beetroot we started off  in the greenhouse from seed, the plants look nice and healthy.

Turnip, spinach and Pak Choi have just started to come through (19th May). Potatoes have really got a spurt on now they are quite bushy. Beetroot haven't grown much since we planted them out but still looking strong. Carrots starting to bush out too. The new Plum tree is doing ok, a lot of the little Plums that were on it when we bought it have dropped off, guess thats understandable because of if being disturbed. There are still a few Plums that are growing, so we should get some this year.

Everything is coming along a treat (10th June) got quite a lot of flowers on the peas and lots of pea pods have already formed. Runner Beans are all flowering, just put up some tin foil dishes to hang from them to deter the birds from eating all the flowers like they did last year. Courgettes have finally took off, they were a bit dodgy looking to start with but look fine now. Sown some Radish and Spring Onion seeds in a new container Ians had from work.  The dwarf Beans are really quite dwarf still but they are starting to flower. Won't be long now before the Red Onions are ready, some of the leaves are starting to go over, a sign that they are ready. Sweetcorn is looking strong, its about a foot or so high. Beetroot is looking better too, starting to bush out. Carrots are doing fine but the Garlic doesn't look as green as it should, looks a bit pale.

Radish have done well, pulled most of them up and eaten them. Planted some more in their place (28th June), Spring Onions are starting to look strong, done a lot better with them outside than in the cold frame, must be too of for them there. Sown some more Pak choi (29th June) in tubs, as the last ones were looking lovely but the birds suddenly descended on them and no there are no leaves left!! We've had our first Peas today (30th June) they are delicious, had to put up some more hanging things as the birds have been eating the flowers and tender Pea pods. Hung up a couple of teddy bear gorillas as the tin foil dishes didn't seem to deter them at all, the gorillas seem to be doing the trick, althought the neightbours think we are nuts!! hehe.

We've got the first flower on the Sweetcorn, they haven't grown as tall as they did last year but they look strong. There are tiny Beans forming both on the Runner Beans and the French Beans and loads of flowers. Potatoes looked like they were starting to flag, although we haven't seen them flowering much, so decided to pull half them up (3rd July), well the ones that did't look too well to see if there were any Potatoes at all. We were surprised how many Potatoes we found, we weighed them, 32lb in all!! We were chuffed, they were a descent size too, best Potatoes we've grown by far. Tomato plants and Peppers plants are doing fine outside, have got a few Tomatoes on but no Peppers yet, only flowers.

Just waiting on some nice warm summer weather to ripen everything up. There are three or four cobs on most of the Sweetcorn plants, they are really doing well. Had about 6 or 7 meals in all from the peas and there are still lots of pods on. Loads of Courgettes, picked about 4 off so far and gave the chickens a couple!! Picked our first Runner Beans and French Beans lots of flowers still opening, still fighting the birds, they love the flowers!! Dug up the rest of the Potatoes today (24th July), wow they were big, ideal for jacket Potatoes!! Really impressed with them this year. We planted some more Potatoes in the place of the ones we dug up a couple of weeks ago and they are shooting now, so planted some more in the place of this last lot too.

Unforunely, fighting with the birds over the Pak Choi, they have eaten half of the seedlings. Put some more in see how that goes. Brought some of the Lettuce out of the greenhouse and it seems to be doing well both inside and out, thats good. We've got Little Gem Lettuce all over the place!!

Tomatoes  outside the greenhouse have started to turn (5th Aug) and the Peppers are starting to get big. Pak Choi has come along well, birds have missed it so far!! Sweetcorn is looking good, the fine tufts ontop of the Sweetcorn is starting to go brown and die off, that means the corn will soon be ready. Just have to wait for it die off completly then need to check every now and again, by pressing your nail into the corn to see if the juice that comes out is a milky colour, if it is, its ripe and ready to eat.

Today (7th Aug) pulled up a few onions, they are big!! Will store them in the shed, hung up to dry out for a bit. We are really pleased. Had quite a few Runner Beans, French Beans don't seem to have done so well this year. The Runners are delicious though and no strings!! Dug out the Peas, could have gone on for a little while longer but they were looking abit of a mess. We have had a lot off them, nice big pods too. Pulled a few Radish and Spring Onions, the Spring Onions could probably do with a little bit longer, just to swell out a bit but they still tasted good.

Had our first Sweetcorn today!! (18th Aug) There are loads of Sweecorn, the best crop we have had so far. It is like a suntrap where they are, and they love that. Red Onions have all gone over now bar one, so they are ready to pull and dry out. Not done so well with the Runner Beans, had quite a few but can't see any more flowers, due to the birds. If the birds will leave them alone, might get a few more but the birds have had a field day this year, they love those bright red flowers!! French Beans haven't produced as much as usual but the plants seem a lot smaller this year for some reason. Had a few but not many. That could also be due to the birds. Beetroot is delicious, done well those. Second lot of Potatoes we planted are in flower now!! The ones we planted a couple of weeks after are not far behind them either, really pleased with the Potatoes this time.

Either the badgers or the foxes have been on the veg plots this morning, (15th Sept) the few remaining Onions we had left in the ground have been dug out and a lot of the Sweetcorn has been knocked over and eaten!! Took all the Sweetcorn off now that was left undamaged. Theres a few flowers on the Runner Beans, fingers crossed we may get a few more if we don't have any frosts but it has started to get cold now at night . Those dark nights are drawing in rapidly!!  Courgettes have pretty much finished now and so have the Squash, done ok with them but not overly impressed. All the fruit has finished off the plum tree, had quite a few plums drop off because of the high winds we had but have been pleased with the amount of fruit we have had. Carrots never really came to much, we don't seem to have much luck with them.

This past weekend (2nd Oct) been clearing out the plots, now everything has come to an end, although this heatwave we've been having these last few days makes it feel more like summer than October!! We ain't complaining, lets hope it lasts longer!!

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Crop Rotation

Changing crops from year to year minimises deficiences and allows the soil to replenish. Alternating between deep-rooted and fibrous-rooted crops also improves soil structure which prevents the build up of pests and diseases in the soil.

Vegetables in the same botanical family have similar nutrient requirements. Some deplete the soils minerals while others use up fewer minerals. In addition to these there are those plants that actually improve the soil and add nutrients.

There are many different systems for rotating crops which are all designed with one thing in common, to ensure that the following years crops make use of nutrients left by the previous years crop.

Divide your vegetables for rotating into groups: potatoes, legumes, brassicas and roots.

 
Potato family - aubergines, peppers, tomatoes, chilli.

Legumes - pea, bean family.

Roots - carrot, parsnip, celery, celeriac, parsley, florence fennel.

Each plot remains the same number. Below is a 4 year crop rotation plan. 

There are some vegetables that require permanent plots and do not require moving

i.e Rhubarb.

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Growing Crops by following the Lunar Calendar 

Many people believe that the moon influences the way plants grow. Some phases of the moon are said to promote growth while other phases are said to retard growth. So it is thought that by timing your planting and gardening with the different phases of the moon it will increase your crop yields.

The idea that the moon affects plant growth is an ancient one and has been practised by many cultures for centuries. The moon affects so many things from water, tides, our bodily fluids and the sap in plants and for centuries planting and harvesting has been guided by the moon. The cycle of the moon is divided into four quarters or phases, each phase affecting plant growth in a positive or negative way.

The main phases are as follows - Full moon, Second quarter moon, New moon, Third quarter moon.

The lunar month starts with the New moon, known also as "the dark of the moon". From the New moon to the first quarter and from the first quarter to the Full moon, the moon appears to grow from nothing to a crescent and then to a full circle at mid-month (waxing moon). Once the moon has peaked to its full brilliance it begins to reverse its phase from Full moon to third quarter moon and returns to the new moon completing the cycle (waning moon).

Waxing phases of the moon (increasing brightness)

As the moon grows in size it produces more and more reflected energy from the sun. Like a dull mirror the moon returns the earth rays from the sun that would otherwise be lost into space. So the gradual waxing of the moon would seem to encourage growth.

Waning phases of the moon (decreasing brightness)

The time from the Full moon back to the New moon is a time in which the size and shape of the moon is decreasing. As the days following the Full moon progress the reflected energy of the sun diminishes and this would seem to discourage growth.

What and when to plant by using the moon cycle.

New Moon - After a new moon - Lettuce, Spinach, Celery, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Grain crops, Cucumber is an exception to the rule.

First Quarter - Beans, Melons, Peas, Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes.

Full Moon - After a full moon - Root crops,  Beets, Carrots, Onions, Potatoes.

Perennials, Biennials, Bulbs and transplanting plants.

Last Quarter (Fourth Quarter) - Cultivate, Harvest, Transplant and Prune.

Mow lawns in the third and fourth quarter to retard growth.

Do Not plant on the day of a New Moon or Full Moon.

Plant potatoes during the "dark of the moon"

Plant seeds within 48 hours before a full moon.

Waxing Moon (from New Moon to Full Moon) - This is when you should plant.

Waning Moon (from Full Moon to Last Quarter) - This is when moisture in the soil is at its lowest, this means there is less sap rising in the trees and shrubs so pruning should be done.

 Lunar Calender

Moon Phases for 2011

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 Pests And Diseases 

Aphid  (Blackfly and Greenfly)

Aphids are one of the most common and troublesome of all garden insects. They breed very rapidly and may quickly smother the stems and young parts of a plant. As they feed by sucking all the plants sap they do the plant no good at all and, in fact may convey virus disease as well.

Destroy as quickly as possible by picking off small infestation or spraying with a very dilute washing up liquid - about one teaspoon of washing up liquid to a couple of litres of water.

Pollen Beetle

Adult beetles are attracted to the flowers of Courgette and Squash as they love the colour yellow, but don't do any damage. Just check over the flowers carefully if you want to eat the delicious Courgette flowers. Adult beetles are oval shaped, metallic greenish or bluish black and 1.5 - 2.5mm in length.

Mealy Plum Aphid

These are white insects that can be seen on the growing points and undersides of leaves. The aphid builds up in large numbers on the undersurface of leaves and causes leaves to become slightly curled and stunted. High populations can devitalize the tree, retard growth and reduce sugar content in fruit. Wingless Mealy Plum Aphid adults are pale green or whitish green with three dark green stripes on their backs. Their bodies are covered with white mealy wax. The winged adults appear in June and July as warm weather approaches. Spray with dilute washing up liquid. 

Carrot Fly

Seedling carrots wilt and die because their roots are destroyed. Grubs burrow into older carrots, in severe cases, the crop is ruined. Celery, parsley and parsnip roots are also attacked. Tell tale signs of carrot fly are a reddening and wilting of foilage. Rusty brown tunnels can be seen under the outer skin of mature roots. Small, yellowish grubs are visible. These creamy-yellowish maggots feed on the outer layers of the carrot root.  Avoid thinning carrots, if at all possible as the smell attracts the fly. Flies lay their eggs around the developing carrots. The larvae, once hatched, burrow in to the root.  It is the larvae that harms the crop. Because the female flies are very low flying, the best form of prevention is to erect a barrier around the crop at least 60cm high. Another method of prevention is to use a  horticultural fleece, used as a floating mulch to cover the crop. Planting in raised beds can also be beneficial.

Caterpillars

These can do serious damage, they feed on leaves, flowers, buds, shoots and stems of vegetables, fruits, trees and shrubs, leaving chewed holes. In severe attacks the plants are stripped completely. The grubs of butterflies, moths and sawflies are visible in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. Inspect plants regularly. Hand pick caterpillars when numbers are small. Clear up rubbish in which they overwinter.

Slugs

These pesky little creatures feed at night, doing great damage. Above ground they devour seedings, older leaves, stems and buds. Below ground they feed on roots, bulbs, corms and tubers, tunnelling into potatoes and carrots. Slugs range in size from half inch to 4inches. The above ground slug are greyish black in colour. The below ground slug are a brown or white colour. Tell tale signs of adult slugs is the slime trails they leave behind. Young slugs don't leave this trail but are equally damaging. Using slug pellets can be harmful to wildlife, birds or frogs or other wildlife that eat the slugs after. An alternative is to make barriers of crushed eggshells or put copper rings around plants.  

Millipede

These soil pests chew through roots, which is disastrous for small seedlings. Millipedes tunnel into bulbs and tubers, often taking over where slugs leave off. These pests are thin-jointed, hard coated,  and upto 1inch long. They are found near the scene of the damage. They coil up like a spring when disturbed. Reduce moist areas in the garden, this is where millipede eggs overwinter. Rake out old mulch and replace it with fresh mulch or straw. Moves piles of leaves to the composter. Keep lawns regularly mown so that any thatch that is their doesn't become wet and sodden.  Make sure to clean up rubbish and control weeds. Trap them in slices of potatoe buried beneath the soil.

Red Spider Mite

These critters are found on flowers and on the undersides of leaves. They weave fine webbing over plants. Dry warm conditions encourage them. Minute yellow or red mites cause bronzing or mottling of leaves. Be suspicious of ailing plants with webbing, unsuspecting gardeners can mistake spider mite webbing for beneficial spider webs. If you notice the beginnings of the spider mite webbing on your plants, blast them off with a strong jet of water, this disrupts their life cycle. Natural predators of spider mites are ladybirds. Planting yarrow, roses, butterfly weed and marigolds attracts ladybirds to your garden. Ladybirds are beneficial to your garden as they also feed on aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and mites throughout the winter.

Greymould

This widespread disease attacks dead tissues and is troublesome both under frames and outdoors. Greymould is worse on badly drained soil, in cold, damp or humid conditions. Symptoms vary, but characteristically soft spots are followed by a more general decay, with a rapid spread of grey, flufffy mould. Strawberries and lettuce are very susceptible. Remove and burn all decaying leaves, flowers and fruits. Spray with a suitable fungicide at first signs of attack. Ventilate frames.

Virus 

Keep an eye out for distortion, twisting and stunting plants; streaking and mottling of leaves and flowers and deformed outgrowths. Wilt and unfruitfulness are common symptoms. Don't handle healthy plants after diseased or suspect plants before disinfecting hands and tools. Control aphids and other sap suckers. Dig up and burn affected plants.

Damping Off 

A disease of young seedlings, which causes them to topple over soon after germination. On close inspection, black/brown sunken stems at soil level are visible. Some plants can remain upright, but are likely to have wiry stems and a stunted growth. Damping off is worse in cold, airless, wet conditions. Use disinfected containers and clean compost. Germinate at the right temperature, delaying sowing if necessary. Don't sow seeds too thickly.

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