tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post2600053559335956251..comments2024-03-17T17:14:03.259+00:00Comments on The Urban Veg Patch: April in the Veg Patch - End of MonthCarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-22866197835264445812017-05-10T10:38:08.701+01:002017-05-10T10:38:08.701+01:00It's unusual to complaining about a lack of ra...It's unusual to complaining about a lack of rain this early in the year but, yes, I know exactly what you mean! I'm back to using the watering cans when necessary - so important to keep seedlings moist - but need to refill the water butts already. I'm really hoping that all this early promise of good fruit harvests is realised - it would make a nice change to be eating other fruit than sour cherries!! C xxCarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-45219818112561866642017-05-10T10:31:58.394+01:002017-05-10T10:31:58.394+01:00Your thoughts about pigeons eating your plum buds ...Your thoughts about pigeons eating your plum buds have made me think too, Claire. I always see little blue and coal tits eating the aphids in the branches, especially in the plum tree. I think you may have a point about them eating the buds as there are usually plenty of tiny fruit buds to be seen ... but then no fruit! I think it's still too chilly for plants to thrive outside (certainly this past week in London) but they'll all catch up when the weather warms. I'll look forward to reading about fantastic progress at the end of May for you!! C xxCarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-89385976314177791632017-05-10T10:28:41.893+01:002017-05-10T10:28:41.893+01:00I envy you your talk with Sea Spring Seeds - I exp...I envy you your talk with Sea Spring Seeds - I expect it was given by Joy Michaud who is very inspirational. I get quite a lot of my seeds from her, especially the chinese leaves. At the moment I'm still eating bought in salad (apart from a few leaves from the garden) and really looking forward picking my own in a few weeks. xCarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-26699024359465801742017-05-10T09:57:30.431+01:002017-05-10T09:57:30.431+01:00Ah, I wish I'd got my beans out and climbing b...Ah, I wish I'd got my beans out and climbing but have still to do that - so many seeds to sow and so little time (as usual!). I'm about to pull out the last of the chard so will be down to kale then. Bad timing on my part as I should have had some salad leaves and radish by now!Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-38726079374325547612017-05-10T09:55:06.435+01:002017-05-10T09:55:06.435+01:00The flower you ask about is one of my absolute fav...The flower you ask about is one of my absolute favourites, Simone - it's Latin name is Cerinthe purpurea but it's also known as honeywort. Each flower has two fat seeds in its bracts which fall (or can be collected) once they go black. Bees love this plant and the veg patch has never been without it since buying one little plant seven years ago. It's very chilly here in London at the moment so I'm glad I've grown everything in modules - there will have to be a big planting day in a couple of weeks! The asparagus crowns are growing in the veg patch between two blocks of flats. They get about 6 hours of sunlight when it shines, otherwise the light is pretty good and open. I think watering is the problem and weeds. xxCarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-51083456868692976672017-05-10T09:48:50.677+01:002017-05-10T09:48:50.677+01:00Gooseberries can have quite a sharp flavour but I&...Gooseberries can have quite a sharp flavour but I'm growing a variety that are supposed to be sweeter - and red, when they mature. I'm really looking forward to having some to eat this year although I've read that foxes also like gooseberries! There seems to be a garden pest for everything!Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-91883029667820069482017-05-10T09:47:21.812+01:002017-05-10T09:47:21.812+01:00Thank you, Flighty.Thank you, Flighty.Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-48510528921970544052017-05-10T09:47:12.937+01:002017-05-10T09:47:12.937+01:00Whatever the weather there's a downside. I wa...Whatever the weather there's a downside. I was really pleased to get lots of good drenching rain rather than the occasional drizzle that we've had before. Even now it will soon be time to fill the dustbin water butts again for veg patch watering. Yes, good growing weather would be most welcome! Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-71632484190793569942017-05-10T09:44:32.670+01:002017-05-10T09:44:32.670+01:00I hope the achocha plants grow for you this year L...I hope the achocha plants grow for you this year Lucy. I wasn't going to grow any last year but had two self-seeded plants from the previous year and they grew massively well, despite a lack of regular watering. Good to know the seeds are still good. I recently sprouted some seed from 2011 as a few people had written asking for some.Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-57781850513310201372017-05-09T23:51:27.893+01:002017-05-09T23:51:27.893+01:00I always enjoy catching up with what's growing...I always enjoy catching up with what's growing for you, exciting time for sure! I am amazed at all the fruitlings this year, apple, plum and pear. I dearly wish it would rain though, we haven't seen rain for three weeks and the plants are suffering.xxxSnowbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08572555410663928295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-60097034650483202862017-05-09T19:58:37.186+01:002017-05-09T19:58:37.186+01:00The plants in your garden do look more advanced th...The plants in your garden do look more advanced than here. We managed to have salad for 52 weeks last year. We went to a talk from Spring seeds a few weeks ago and it has encouraged us to eat salad every day since. Sarah xDown by the seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06148800326418238027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-4533249328943828952017-05-08T09:21:31.746+01:002017-05-08T09:21:31.746+01:00That's all looking good and productive. I am i...That's all looking good and productive. I am in the 'hungry gap' and return from the allotment with nothing other than parsley. But seeds are germinating and fruit is visible and beans are climbing- I too love this time of year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-78212779992739155062017-05-08T08:41:52.981+01:002017-05-08T08:41:52.981+01:00Caro, the flowers are lovely - what is the purple ...Caro, the flowers are lovely - what is the purple green succulent type flower please that has a bending type habit? I've seen it in a Cornish garden and always mean to knock on the door to ask the name! Veg sounds like it's coming on - has been a fairly slow start hasn't it - here too I have lots of seeds ready and peas are looking really good, flowering already, so fingers crossed. Where are your asparagus? Do they tolerate some shade?? XAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-39704465961704288322017-05-08T03:09:30.581+01:002017-05-08T03:09:30.581+01:00The berries are so interesting!The berries are so interesting!Endah Murniyatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16175364514530314348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-10334827350298628172017-05-07T13:58:55.278+01:002017-05-07T13:58:55.278+01:00A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. xxA most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. xxFlightyhttp://flightplot.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-59543601357963928782017-05-06T23:24:12.637+01:002017-05-06T23:24:12.637+01:00We haven't had any real rain but lots of windy...We haven't had any real rain but lots of windy weather. Even on sunny days the wind has kept the temperatures down. Let's hope once the weather improves we have some good growing weather. Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-82137323981372741642017-05-06T20:42:42.880+01:002017-05-06T20:42:42.880+01:00I have been trying achocha again - last year was a...I have been trying achocha again - last year was a dead loss - and thought you'd be interested to know that the seed you sent me is still very viable! Lucy Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17167134650871854909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983898767534428385.post-88616409117130738472017-05-06T20:17:29.508+01:002017-05-06T20:17:29.508+01:00It's brilliant at this time of year isn't ...It's brilliant at this time of year isn't it. Bees galore, blossom and tiny fruitlets everywhere. No plums for me either though. There was very little blossom on the tree again this year. The other day I saw a lot of damage to the foliage that looked like pigeons to me. It made me wonder if they ate the blossom. I didn't really look too closely at the time, but it occurred to me when I saw that they'd taken the new leaves that they might have had the flower buds too. It's been chilly here. My sugar snap peas have hardly grown at all and I made the mistake of direct sowing my runner beans. I planted the leftover six beans in the greenhouse and the difference is incredible. Six strong healthy plants versus a handful of tiny yellowy shoots. Living and learning! My sweet peas were put out too soon as well, so I've bought a couple of pots to replace them. Hope you have a lovely Sunday. CJ xxCJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14311693185700341580noreply@blogger.com