I've been wanting to write this post for several days now, but stuff just kept getting in the way. Things allotment-wise are a little overwhelming at the moment. Everything is growing lushly, particularly the weeds, and although we were on top of things, I am not sure we are now.
When I visited the plot last night there were radishes the size of my eyeball to harvest, a little shop of horrors-style rhubarb explosion and everything needed time and attention.
I am hoping to spend a bit of time on the plot at the weekend but with the book manuscript in the final throes, that really has to take priority. Then I'll be on holiday for a fortnight in June and god knows what state everything will be in when I get back!
On a more positive note the tomato plants, still cosied up in the cold frame in my back garden, are doing fine, and the lovely purple potentilla I bought a couple of weeks ago has settled in nicely.
Oh, and my camera wasn't broken after all, just a battery malfunction. Thank the gods of technology for that one. Hence the pictures that accompany this post, which show the shallot/radish bed backed against the colossi that are the cardoon plants, and my lettuce bed, which I am rather pleased with. The spotty ones are forellenschluss, the green ones are little gem and marvel of the four seasons and the lollo rosso are, well, lollo rosso.
When I get around to it, soon, I'll reinstate the now harvesting section that sits on the left-hand side of the site so you can really see what's what.
I am dead jealous of your 'eyeball' radishes. What is the secret?
My first lots leaves got eaten (flea beetle) - the roots were skinny and pathetic really - even after weeks and weeks. The second lot I kept under a cloche and they've gone completely!
Posted by: Amanda | May 17, 2006 at 06:12 PM
Amanda, I find radishes can be hit and miss, but I never fail with French Breakfast, which is what these were. I think getting the right balance of water, and thinning sufficiently, are both crucial.
Without seeing your situation it's hard to know what the problem is. Fleece or mesh should keep out the flea beetles though if put on from sowing.
Anyone else got any ideas?
Posted by: Jane Perrone | May 17, 2006 at 09:34 PM