Notes From Home

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# 1516

Total Allotment Time: 2 & 1/2 hrs.
Principle Tasks: Lifting 'Red Sun' shallots and first 7 garlic 'Vigor'. Placing both previous on rack to dry off. Digging 3 'Anya' potatoes. General weeding and watering.

# 1506

Jimmy In Mind

# 1422# 1421Two of the same bumblebee (Possibly a queen Bombus lapidarius, maybe) that I found sunning itself on the showy stonecrop (Sedum matrona) this morning. I'm not sure if Highlands Jimmy still follows the blog (I fear his patience with me finally gave out) but I'd still like to dedicate them to him as a little way of saying thanks for all the great comments he contributed along the way.

# 1420I decided to try the leftover three year old phacelia seeds broadcast over the top end of veg bed four. Let's see.. maybe something I'll try elsewhere?

# 1419One I've not yet mentioned (Maybe wisely) as its a 'guilty pleasure'. Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is one of those seemingly universal 'hate plants' due to its over-familiarity and invasive reputation. I remember it though with great fondness from my childhood. I just couldn't resist it :)

# 1418I seem to have stolen a march on the spuds this year - if only we don't get a late frost! The first earlies seen here are 'Maris Bard'.

# 1417The 'Red Sun' shallots are also coming on nicely.

# 1416Past it's best, maybe, but still looking good, the purple-leaved dog-violet (Viola riviniana 'Purpurea Group') near the gate-end of the border herb and insect-attracting flower L-bed.

Total Allotment Time: 3 & 1/4 hrs.
Principle Tasks: Weeding :)

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21/02/09

# 1347A close-up of the flowers of the common sage (Salvia officinalis) growing along the border L-bed - one of my favourites.

# 1346First signs also that the nearby showy stonecrop (Sedum matrona) has spring on it's mind.

# 1345The 'Red Sun' shallots about to be planted out in veg bed 02..

# 1344..and after (The 'buzz-tape' is there to harmlessly deter birds from pulling up the sets).

# 1343I'm a little worried over how many wireworms (Agriotes lineatus) I came across whilst preparing the soil. Maybe they liked the roots of the physalis that came before?

# 1342I've decided for peace of mind reasons alone (How I wish I didn't have to) to ditch the wildlife pond idea. For the time being it will hopefully be an equally wildlife-friendly compost pit.

# 1341Total Allotment Time: 3hrs.