# 2520# 2519The dog violet's in flower!

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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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First Hoverfly 2009!

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# 1398But which one? I spent over an hour looking them up but with no luck. They were small, very, very furry and they loved the muscari!

# 1397Another first. One of the honesty plants (Lunaria annua) I've had growing overwinter in my backyard plastic fabric greenhouse, seen here positioned along the border herb and insect-attracting flower bed.

# 1396The rest of the 'Golden Gourmet' shallots about to planted out in veg bed 2 alongside those I got in on the 18th (I knew I had brought more of them!)

# 1395Looking hopeful. One of the two rows of garlic 'Vigor' in vb01. Nb. The trowel's there only as a height guide, not to dig them up.. yet!

# 1394The rhubarb's also looking good. Maybe though I should of been braver and tried forcing it for an earlier and sweeter crop?

# 1393A shrinking violet indeed. One of the purpled-leaved variety.. named Tim :)

# 1392I was a little worried that the stable manure that I put 12cm deep around the gooseberries on the 24th might still be a little 'strong'. As yet the 'Hedgehog' doesn't seem to mind too much. Finger's crossed!

Total Allotment Time: 3 hrs.
Principle Tasks: Planting out 3 honesty plants along the border L-bed. Planting 11 'Golden Gourmet' shallots in vb02. Continuing clearing away the old growth of the border L-bed onto the compost pit (Allowing any bugs therein the freedom to escape).

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One Down? - Continued (Click Here for original post)

# 1147.05The Purple-leaved Dog Violet (Viola riviniana 'Purpurea Group'). Looking good, but down on last year?

# 1147.04The 'Estima', 'Saxon', and 'Laura' potatoes are up!

# 1147.03How the 'Masterpiece Green Longpod' broad beans are getting on.

# 1147.02The 'Estima' potatoes after mulching.

# 1147.01The plot in it's almost entirety :o)

Total Allotment Time: 3 & 1/2hrs.
Principle Tasks: Mulching the 'Estima' potatoes in VB02. Continuing work on the wildlife pond.

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Total Allotment Time: 3hrs.
Principle Task: Forking over soil in preparation of beginning construction of third timber-edged veg bed. 'Tickling' in the rest of the garden compost I applied last week into Bed Four.

Additional Notes: Veg bed one's average soil temp at 10cm depth = 4C.

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