Pushing up the daisies

A fairly victorious weekend in the garden.
As you know, I had put down a tarpaulin, to smother a very grassy section where I wanted to plant my green beans.
Well, this weekend was the great moment. I lifted the tarp. Lo and behold underneath was a completely weed free area that to boot was beautifully moist and crumbly. And I was especially pleased that the grumpy neighbours were there (BBQing and not digging ha ha) to see the wondrous occasion. In ten minutes I had a quick fork over (this is the bit that I had already bastard trenched in January) and Biggest One (who is becoming a more willing helper) helped me scar out some rows and we planted our beans: in all about half an hour's work. I cannot tell you how triumphant I felt ! I suppose it is mean but I thought it was a great rude finger sign to the site supervisor who thought my methods were bunk.
Best of all we were treated to the sight of a gigantic green lizard and a tiny field mouse that were disturbed by our efforts. The tarp has been moved, to the last bit that needs clearing, then I will have succeeded in planting a 100 m2 allotment in less than 6 months. untidily I admit, with carpet paths still, but planted nonetheless.
AND we went home with about 20 strawberries, some new potatoes that were hiding under the carpet, two handfuls of peas and two beautiful red lettuces.
There are also:

• Flowers on the raspberries! And I was thinking that I wouldn't get any this year.
• Sunflowers are coming up great and now so are some of the flowers. The first nasturtium flowers are out, orange and yellow.
• Fennel is well on its way, and so are the parsnips. Carrots have germinated sporadically, so I will try some more and some more beets, as I like to have a lot of those.
• The tomatoes have responded well to the warm spell and the first courgettes are starting to form! That is exciting.
• One of the melons has died I think :-( The expensive one I bought at Truffaut too. The other two look OK though and the pumpkins are starting to take off. Must feed them next weekend.
• I planted the broccoli that my neighbor kindly gave me and noticed that the seeds I had put in have in fact grown so I weeded round them and watered them, perhaps I will have two stages of broccoli with some luck.
• The sprouts and leeks seem OK, I watered them again as it has been dry this week.
• The peas are giving a little harvest and there are some more plants growing. I guess I can't complain as everyone has said what a bad year it has been for them (too hot in April).
• I had a bit of a weed around the tomatoes, onions and squash, and hoed between the beans that were already in place. Next time I go I will have more time to devote to weeding and tidying, so things will take shape. I will also try to have a last attempt at growing some herbs, I will prepare a bed especially for that and try some last minute parsley, basil and chives. I saw a lovely "simples" garden this weekend, I will try to get one going next year, with all the aromatic plants, like Oregano, Marjoram, Rosemary, Chervil, Sage etc. For this year it is obviously too late but next year I will devote some time to that, as I have that nice area next to the shed but it needs really weeding and feeding.
  

So all in all I am very pleased now when I got to the lot, as I feel that all my hard work has paid off, at least a little.

Labels: harvest, lettuce, peas, potato, spring, strawberry, weeds