Rhubarb!

Welcome back to Reads Retreat, seems like only minutes since we last updated !!! Mum left in the week with half a dozen spud tubers to grow at home, together with a dozen Courgette (v.Black Beauty) seeds. You dont need to grow a lot - every little helps! And now, just a few more pictures to keep you going. This Rhubarb crown is now in it's 3rd year, and going by the size of it, its looking pretty healthy too. Hopefully we'll get even more from it this year mmmmmmm can almost taste it now!





Whereas this little beauty is just into its second year. We;ll probably take a small crop here too, but this plant will mainly be left alone to build up strength for next year. Dont forget we have a crown up at the allotment too, cant see us running out!








And no! It's not just a dustbin! This is our new spud planter, and is home to 3 more second earlies tubers (v.Nadine) which will supplement those being grown in the raised bed. I've not had much luck preciously growing spuds in tubs, but we'll see how we get on, and keep you posted.

Not much else happening on the plot, but if the weather improves a touch I've got a load of Onion sets(v.Turbo) still to go in.

Thats about it for today, but please do pop back soon for more updates.

Hopefully the weather will change for the better, and we can all get on with growing!

Take care all,

TTFN.

Rhubard Planted 12.03.08

The latest planting on my veg plot has been this Rhubarb crown.
The variety is Holsteiner, a vigorous plant that should be crop-able this year, providing it gets plenty of water.
At £1.99 for the crown, it seems like a good investment to me.
My other Rhubarb plant is a Timperley Early variety, which is currently being "forced" under an upturned bin, the fruit of which has already graced the dining table.
The new crown was planted in sieved compost mixed with granular Growmore fertilizer, and well watered in.
Time to sit back and watch this beauty grow.


TTFN




Running late ! 05.03.08

Welcome back to "Reads Retreat" - My guide to growing your own veg in raised beds.

Apologies for the lateness of this update. With time running out due in part to work commitments and spending quality time with my family, I will for now keep it brief, with a few pictures of my latest seed sowing progress:


My tomato's (v. Moneymaker) Sow date: 2nd Feb

Potted on date: 4th March






Basil (v. Dark Opal ) Sow Date: 2nd Feb

Potted on date: 4th March






Onions (v.Bedfordshire Champion) Sow date: 2nd Feb

Potted on date: 4th March






Leeks (v. Mussleburgh) Sow Date: 2nd Feb

Potted on date: 4th March



Hot & Sweet Peppers Sow date: 2nd Feb

Potted on date: 4th March




Organic Lettuce ( first of many sowings! )

Sow date: 4th March






More purchases ! This time from Wilkinson's

Cant wait to taste these . let's hope they grow well....

Yummy stuff !






Talking of yummy stuff, couldn't resist this Rhubarb crown - a snip at £1.99.

Swiss Chard (v. Bright Lights ) - always wanted to try these, and

Flat Leaf Parsley - always useful in the kitchen.



Elsewhere on the plot :
The Garlic ( v. Fokyhama) planted in November continues to put on good growth.

I managed to plant a small first row of Carrot's (v. Early Nantes) too between the garlic and the chives. Nothing beats "companion" planting to keep the dreaded carrot fly at bay.






Thats about it for this quick update, I hope I can get back to you all soon. Till then, enjoy your gardens.

TTFN.