Thursday 19 October 2017

Onions, Garlic and Beans.

I have really put in some work this week, my muscles are feeling it and I am now trying to ignore the six, yes SIX mozzie bites on various parts of my body that are driving me crazy.......but looking around before I left this evening made my heart leap with pride. It is pretty much weed free and very tidy. Yes we still have lots to do before the plot is 'to plan' but when it comes to the normal running of the plot, it is feeling very natural now. I am finding the jobs are running smoothly. I have a great routine and i'm getting the hang of clearing and planting a bed in one go, tidying up as I go and staying organised as I work. I guess that has come with time but reflecting on that today makes me feel like a proper gardener haha!
It was time to take down 2 of the 4 bean typees and pull out the courgette plants that grew undeneath to make room for 4 x10ft rows if garlic. The other typees will be cleared once all the beans have dried enough to harvest. The Cara la Virgen de la Baneza Leon beans have only just started to dry out. I am sure they will be ready before the first frosts but they are certainly cutting it fine. Maybe it is the rainy weather or the low temperatures through September but I really thought they would be ready by now! It will be interesting to see if they are this late again next season. Still, i'm sure it won't kill me to wait another couple of weeks to try them, (it might, I can't wait)
Some over winter onion sets went in to, I am sure they are Radar but will have to check. I haven't managed to grow onions successfully do far so it would be great if they actually grow bigger than a marble..........

The Wizard beans are ticked off the list too. I decided to sow direct rather than start them at home. I have covered them with a net tunnel to keep the birds off so hopefully they will be fine.

I did notice that all the swedes have been massacred by the slimmies as has most of the brassica's. I am hoping the slug numbers will decrease now most of the plastic covers have gone, and the toad I found today may help me out too. But next season I need to put a bit more focus onto the slug problem........ hmmmmmmm, just what to try first?

There is still a lot of clearing to do from the summer crops but by the end of October that should up be done. Then it will be all ahout the fruit area of the plot. And re establishing the borders of the beds. I'm sure my to do list will grow some more as thewinter approaches. I just hope I get to put in the same amount of time as I have this week in the coming weeks....... that would be fab!