Does anyone keep a gardening diary on MSE?

LavenderBees

Bed 5 - Large - West end to East end

Top of the bed is to be a manure heap (hopefully) and eventually an outdoor run for "the girls"

But for now - half the bed to be manured; the remainder not to be manured

In the manured bit...

Jerusalem artchokes down the side of the rows against the fence

First earlies - Duke Of York - 1 row only - plant late March- harvest June

Second earlies - Charlotte - 1 row only - plant early April - harvest July/August

Marrow Green Bush - (courgettes and marrows)- sow 2 in pots on kitchen windowsill in April
- plant out one only in May onwards
Harvest Expected - July onwards to late Autumn

Pumpkin - Hundredweight - sow 2 in pots on kitchen windowsill in late April.
- plant out one only in late June -think keep to 3 fruit per plant max
Harvest Expected - Sept/October

Pumpkin - Paton Twins Giant - sow 2 in pots on kitchen windowsill in late April
- plant out one only in mid/late June
Harvets Expected - assume October

Squash - Sunburst F1 - sow 3 in pots on kitchenwindowsill in late April
- plant out 2 only in mid/late June
Harvets Expected - August/Sept

Turnip - Snowball - plant thinly outside - 1/2 row Mid May to 1/2 row mid June
Harvest Expected - Sept onwards into winter

Aubergine - Calliope F1 hybrid - Sow 2 in pots on kitchen windowsill in March
- plant out one only in June (maybe into large pot to save room?)
Harvest Expected - July to October


In the unmanured part of the bed....

Carrots - Purple Haze F1 - sow thinly directly outside 3 weeks after sowing in Bed 3 (approx late April)
Harvest Expected - July onwards (lift by November)

Parsnips - Countess F1 - sow thinly directly outside (x 2 rows if enough space)
Harvest Expected -October onwards but leave in ground for frosts -

Beside the cold frame - Rhubarb (already planted)
Harvest Expected - 2014

LavenderBees

Main crop potatoes x 2 - probably in pots/sacks

Picasso & Blue Belle - plant mid April - harvest August onwards

Spinach/salad leaves/radishes/basil - all succession planting from March onwards

Tomato - Sweet Million F1 - Cherry Tomatoes - sow in pots March onwards - harvest August onwards

LavenderBees

Should keep me busy for an hour or two...:rotfl:

Any comments, very welcome...

LavenderBees

LavenderBees

icontinuetodream

all sounds and looks fab!!:D will have a good look later at what you have planted (skimmed it this time as have to go and walk the pooch!) and give you some ideas for using the produce.....

initial thoughts are whole garlic bulb in a ramekin dish, bit of water in the bottom, drizzle with olive oil and bake in oven for about 25-30 mins.....squeeze out and spread on hm bread...lush!!

If you do a couple you can roast some of the tomatoes in olive oil, remove the tomatoes, squeeze some of the roasted garlic into the remaining oil, add some torn basil and stir then serve over the tomatoes with a splash of balsamic...

brussel sprouts, half and fry for a couple of minutes in some oil, add some grated ginger and stir, add some orange zest and juice and cook till tender (about 5 mins)....

will be back with some more either later or tomorrow!!

LavenderBees

icontinuetodream wrote: »

all sounds and looks fab!!:D will have a good look later at what you have planted (skimmed it this time as have to go and walk the pooch!) and give you some ideas for using the produce.....

initial thoughts are whole garlic bulb in a ramekin dish, bit of water in the bottom, drizzle with olive oil and bake in oven for about 25-30 mins.....squeeze out and spread on hm bread...lush!!

If you do a couple you can roast some of the tomatoes in olive oil, remove the tomatoes, squeeze some of the roasted garlic into the remaining oil, add some torn basil and stir then serve over the tomatoes with a splash of balsamic...

brussel sprouts, half and fry for a couple of minutes in some oil, add some grated ginger and stir, add some orange zest and juice and cook till tender (about 5 mins)....

will be back with some more either later or tomorrow!!

Oh, wow! and drool...:T

I can't wait to start on my own veges, but in the meantime, I'll make a start on the recipes with my shop bought ones :dance:

Perfect!

xx

icontinuetodream

aubergines- aubergine rolls....slice aubergines lengthways and griddle or pan fry them, remove and spread with pesto (or mushed basil, garlic clove, olive oil) get a tin of chick peas and crush with some garlic and oil (you could use your broadbeans for this instead;)) chop in some black olives, spread over the aubergine slices, roll and serve...you could also put some panfried baby tomatoes over the top.....

also aubergine stacks....slice aubergines horizontally into rounds, griddle or pan fry, layer with sliced tomatoes, red onion, olives and cheese (if you want!!) whack into oven for about 10 mins....

courgette/marrow....gorgeous when sliced and layered with tomatoes, onion (red is nicest) , herb of choice and cheese (vegan for me obviously!!)....pop into oven for 20-25 minutes

been a bit manic this week so will be back with other suggestions later....you must do some sweet onion chutney though....finely chopped onions (thank the universe for food processors!!;)) caramelised slowly in olive oil, add demerara or soft brown sugar and balsamic....bring to boil, stirring until all sugar dissolved then cook for about an hour or so....put into sterilized jars and see how long it lasts!! Not long if our house is anything to go on!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Ab fab with pretty much anything!!!:D:D:D

LavenderBees

Thank you! :j

Oh, I really hope I'm able to grow veges to try your recipes out!

This time next year, I really hope that I'm going to be delivering most of the Christmas meal from my allotment.

LB xx

Rummer

Plans sound good and it was great to see pics of your plot

I used tesco vouchers to place a wonderfully huge order with T&M so I have got my potatoes, garlic, shallots, artichokes, green manure and a few other treats heading to me :j

Been sketching out the garden and planning it as it is and then another wee plan for changes I would like to make