I finally got my carrots sown in the WoodBlocX raised bed. I'm growing Nantes, Tendersnax and Chantenay. As you can see, Mick's constructed a wooden frame covered with enviromesh to fit over more than half of the bed. I'm hoping that this will thwart the carrot root fly which can cause devestation to carrot crops. I sowed some beetroot in the part which is left uncovered.
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The onions were planted out a couple of weeks ago. I'd started them off in modules so they'd already sprouted. These are Sturon.
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We also got the brassicas which we bought from Harlow Carr planted out. There's six Brussels sprouts plants - Evesham Special and six Asparagus kale plants. Mick's fitting collars around the plants to prevent the cabbage root fly laying their eggs at the base of the plants.
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Here they are all tucked up underneath the netted cage which should, hopefully, prevent the pigeons from stripping the leaves. It seems there's a pest out there just waiting to feast on whatever crop we're growing. The netting is held down with tent pegs and then bricks put around the bottom for extra strength.
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There's also mangetout growing which were planted out a couple of weeks ago, but the plants don't look in the best of shape, I think they've taken a battering from the high winds we've had recently.
I'm hoping that now we've made a start, we can catch up with the jobs which should have been done much earlier in the year.
its looking good, I hope your pest control works for you, there is nothing worse than nurturing plants for pests to do there worse
ReplyDeleteIt seems that every crop needs some form of pest control. I have to say that it's the slugs which are the bane of my life though.
DeleteIs it my imagination or has the weather got more windy in recent years? Before we moved to Spain back in 2003 we seldom had wind damage to the garden, since we have been back, nearly four years now we have lost plants every year to the wind. has anyone else noticed this?
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, or is it just our imagination playing tricks? I expect high winds during winter but I'm delaying planting out my tomatoes because it's still so windy. The wind's getting up again today.
DeleteMartyn meshed our Woodblocx bed yesterday and I've sown some salad stuff and planted lettuce in it today
ReplyDeleteI hope it does well for you. They're such great raised beds, I'm hoping that the depth will provide some great carrots.
DeleteThe Carrot Root Fly "cage" looks very professional! (I just hope the local cats don't treat it as a sun-bed...)It's a pain in the neck having to go to such great lengths to protect your crops, but very necessary.
ReplyDeleteI think Mick's done a great job with the cage, I just hope it works. I never thought about it attracting cats, though I've never seen any on the allotments. It would be a different story if it were in the garden, we get lots here.
DeleteI really love the mesh covered frame. In the past couple of months, I've been thinking about constructing a few to cover some of the beds as they would be much easier to deal with than the row covers I currently use. My only issue is with storage over the winter - they are so bulky & I wouldn't want to leave them outside as they would likely get damaged...I'm still mulling this over.
ReplyDeleteI think a covered frame will work well but storage is a consideration. As you say, it's quite bulky but we'll be able to pop it in the shed over winter.
DeleteBusy time for you, looking good.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very busy time at the moment. We're very behind so there's lots of work to do.
DeleteDespite your lack of time spent on the plot it's all looking good. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteVery few areas are looking good at the moment, I can assure you, but we'll get there with a bit of work.
DeleteThat's a great looking WoodBlocX raised bed and the mesh frame is a good idea. Suppose it's all go at the allotment now, and hopefully we'll see lots of good weather over the coming weeks. Its been extremely windy in Northern Ireland.
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with the raised bed, I'm hoping it will work very well for root veg with the extra depth. There's always so much to do at this time of year but it's all dependent on the weather, it's raining again today.
DeleteI've been to my allotment plot a couple of times this week, and am planning on visiting again Tuesday. Little and often seems to be the way forward for no. And concentrating on a bit at a time. I hope Olly's carrots don't fail. I'll have to buy some, and fake a crop!
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
Little and often is definitely the best way, it's important to go regularly, especially at this time of year as you only have to turn your back for two minutes and the weeds are back. I've never had much success with carrots so I hope Olly does better than me. Perhaps he should start some courgettes off as a back up, very hard to fail with those.
DeleteYou're right, pests, pests everywhere. Something's eaten most of our sugarsnap peas. And I haven't protected the carrots, so no doubt they will be a disaster. It's a battle! CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThere's always something waiting to get whatever you plant, it's an ongoing battle. I'm actually considering using slug pellets for the first time ever, though I think I'll wait and see how bad they are this year.
DeleteIt's a great start. I like the cage very much, think I may need to show that to Mike..
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased with the cage, I think Mick's done a good job with it. I just hope it works.
DeleteIt's difficult fitting it in at times Jo so pleased for you that you have managed to do some work there. I often wish that my plot was outside my back door :) I'm full of admiration for Mick's anti-pest contraptions and hope that they do the trick.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping we get chance to get down there a bit more often now, there's plenty of work to do. I think it would definitely be easier if the plot was outside the back door. I'm hoping that the anti pest controls work, though there's always something else which pops up even when you think you've covered all bases.
DeleteAlways so much to do Jo at this time of year but somehow we always manage to get it done, don't we?
ReplyDeleteLove the cover for the carrots, looks so neat. Hope it works for you.
My friend popped by the other day, with goodies from his allotment. Fabulous :)
I try not to stress about being behind these day as I know from experience that it does get done eventually, as you say. I'm hoping that the carrot frame works, though I've had problems getting carrots to germinate in the past so I've got to get over that hurdle first. I find that people with allotments are very generous with their produce, I know that I love sharing what I grow.
DeleteLove the cage for the raised bed. Now for some better weather.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the cage works, it looks good in theory. At least the allotment won't need watering today after all the rain we've had this morning.
DeleteWell done with the small amount of time you've had. Look forward to seeing how it all goes. Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt's a case of getting small things done in snippets of time at the moment. Hopefully, we'll get a bit more time to spend down there soon.
Deletewhere did you get your netted cage? I need one of those to keep Moss off my veg patch!
ReplyDeleteMick's own design. I have to say, I'm very pleased with it, I just hope it does the job.
DeleteThat netted cage is great, it will keep the cabbage white off to! It is hard keeping up at this time of the year isn't it, the weeds seem to suddenly come into their own!
ReplyDeleteI sowed my carrots ages ago, they really have taken their time coming up, the beetroot has too!xxx
I meant to mention the cabbage white butterflies in my post, there's just so many pests. It is hard keeping up with everything at this time of year, you only have to turn your back for two minutes and weeds are knee high. I'm sure your carrots and beetroot will shoot up once they get going. It turned rather cold again after a warm spell so that may have held them back.
DeleteJo - you've had an up and down time what with your dad being unwell ... so things do sometimes take a back step. But you have done well as your post shows. I love Chantenay Carrots and I'm intrigued to find out more about your Asparagus Kale.
ReplyDeleteThat netting looks super. Have a good week, and many thanks for your lovely comments on the low carb diabetic blog. It's always good to hear from you.
All the best Jan
I'm hoping that we can find a bit more time to spend at the allotment now, though things are still very busy at the moment. I've never grown Asparagus kale before so I'm looking forward to trying it.
DeleteWhat a neat way to prevent carrot fly attack! It is laways a struggle here too. This year I am trying the variety "Resistafly" which should be (partially) resistent. But usually netting is the only thing that really helps.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how Resistafly does. I tend to agree with you, netting is the only sure way to keep the carrot root fly out.
DeleteIt doesn't seem to matter how organised I am I always seem to end up playing 'catch up' at some point.....it always seem to work out ok in the end though!!
ReplyDeleteIt's exactly the same here. I still manage to grow plenty of veggies though and that's what matters at the end of the day.
DeleteHi Jo, sorry I have been AWOL; when I run out of time it's visiting blogs that falls off the radar.
ReplyDeleteMick's enviromesh cage looks splendid. How have you fixed the net to the wood?
It's a nice neat job, I just hope it does the trick. He fixed the net to the wood with staples, as you can see there's bits of enviromesh at the ends which overlap so he's folded these in and stapled them down too.
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