Saturday, June 17, 2006

Total Allotment Time: 3 & 1/2 hrs.
Principle Tasks: Lifting plastic sheeting and lightly forking over soil newly exposed to remove any remaining weed roots as in recent posts. Weeding.

2 comments:

Jimmy said...

Hi Tim

Gosh your site is confusing, I presume the very nice picture of the Phacelia is taken looking towards the patch to the right when looking over your patch towards the rail line?

It is looking very good, have you been having rain like we have - sort of constant...

My lawn is now a meadow and a very fine example it is too with quite a variety of species present.

If the rain keeps up I will be making hay when the sun eventually comes out.

Have you thought of offering a few shots of the neighbours allotments for comparison? The best and the worst?

Regards
Jimmy

Tim Hopper said...

Hi Jimmy

Yes, I'm standing behind the corner post (the focal point of the 'The Gardener's Shuffle' first photo). This minimal 'stock fencing' I've opted for doesn't help, I realise (the green netted cloche is my neighbour's to my right as I enter my gate, which is open in this photo. The railway line is directly ahead, behind the pallet compost heap (which can just be seen to the left of the photo). I'll try and take another panoramic pic of the whole plot next time I'm up there which might help.

Not much rain over the last couple of weeks, no. We did have a sprinkling towards the end of last week, but it only really wetted the surface. I have been making sure the phacelia seed beds (as shown in the before-mentioned photo) are well watered only until they become established (I haven't watered that first bed for ages now).

Are you fortunate enough to get orchids growing in your meadow lawn? I spotted two common varities down here on a family walk on the white cliffs of Dover over the weekend (check out my 'Hop Pics' blog). Inspirational plants!

I'm a little shy of taking direct photos of my neighbours plots. Maybe in time, and with permission :o)

Best Regards,
Tim