Making a start

Here we go again; my seed potatoes are chitting I've and sown a few seeds. I'm still eating sprouts and carrots from the plot and there's some early spinach. Last years maincrop potatoes that I have in store are starting to sprout and go a bit soft but as yet are still edible. And there's no shortage of young nettles.

I can't say I'm feeling overly enthusiastic - the world seems to be going into meltdown, both literally and metaphorically. At the end of the day all I can do is get on with it and continue doing what I believe is right for me, right for my loved ones and right for the planet.

I can see a point coming in the not too distant future when access to land will be more useful than access to money, so I'm thankful I've got this bit of earth to nourish. It gives back more than I could ever put into it.

And these daffodils that I planted around the fruit trees in my orchard are helping to lift my spirits.

Cultivation

I've done all the digging I'm going to do. This last patch is where my potatoes will be going.

Spreading home-made compost:


...and digging it in:

Yes we have no broccoli

I always look forward to cropping the purple sprouting at this time of year - it being the first new crop of the season - but this year it ain't gonna happen; the cold winter has put paid to that. Needless to say these plants are now on the compost.

Records 2011

Mostly for my benefit, I'll update it as the season goes on.

Antirrhinum (saved seed) - Sown in greenhouse 2.4, 1/2 seedtray. Pricked out 7.5 to medium modules x12. Potted on to 12cm pots 29.5. Planted out 30cm apart x7 11.6.

Basil (saved seed from Tenerife) - Sown in greenhouse 2.4, small modules x10. Potted on to 9cm pots x5 30.4. Planted in trough 29.5.

Bladder Campion (saved seed) - Sown in greenhouse 9.4, small modules x10. Potted on to 9cm pots x8 7.5. Moved to coldframe 14.5. Planted out in orchard 4.6.

Broad bean "Aquadulce Claudia" - Sown 15.10, 1/2 row.

Broccoli "Early Purple Sprouting Red Arrow" - Sown 16.4, small modules x10. Potted on to 9cm pots x9 7.5. Moved to coldframe 14.5. Planted out 75cm apart 28.5.

Broccoli (white) "Nine Star Perennial" - Sown in coldframe 14.5, small modules x10. Potted on to 9cm pots 11.6. Planted out ?

Brussels Sprouts "Cascade F1" - Sown in greenhouse 9.4, small modules x20. Potted on to 9cm pots x12 30.4. Moved to coldframe 14.5. Planted out 60cm apart 21.5

Cabbage "January King" - Sown 7.8 in 15cm pot in coldframe. And 1/2 row 12.8.

Cabbage "Hispi F1" - Sown in 15cm pot in coldframe 8.5. Planted out 11.6 30cm apart. And another 15cm pot sown same day. Planted out ?

Cabbage "Greyhound" - Sown in greenhouse 12.3, 1/2 seedtray. Discarded in favour of Spitfire.

Cabbage "Spitfire F1" - Sown in greenhouse 12.3, 1/2 seedtray. Planted out 23.4 x20, 30cm apart.

Carnation "Giant Chabaud Mixed" - Sown in greenhouse 2.4, small modules x20. Potted on to 9cm pots x19 6.5. Moved to coldframe 14.5. Planted out 10.6 x19 30cm apart, 1 row.

Carrot "Early Nantes" - Sown 2.4 in trough in greenhouse. Moved to coldframe 20.4.

Carrot "Amsterdam Forcing" - Sown direct 19.5, 1 row.

Carrot "Autumn King 2" - Sown direct 19.5, 1 row.

Chineese Mustard "Green in Snow" - Sown 7.8, short row.

Climbing French bean - Sown in greenhouse 7.5, medium modules x24. Planted out 4.6.

Clover (white) - Sown 31.3 for paths.

Clover (crimson) - Sown 8.5 for green manure around courgettes.

Cosmos "Candy Stripe" - Sown in greenhouse 2.4, small modules x20. Potted on to 9cm pots 23.4. Moved to coldframe 6.5. Planted out 14.5.

Courgette "Black Beauty" - Sown 16.4, 9cm pots x6. Moved to coldframe 30.4. Planted out 8.5.

Flax (saved seed) - Sown in greenhouse 2.4, small modules x20. Potted on to 9cm pots 23.4. Moved to coldframe 6.5. Planted out 14.5.

French bean "Purple Queen" - Sown in greenhouse 8.5, medium modules x24. Moved to coldframe 14.5. Planted out 4.6 20cm apart and 1/2 row sown direct.

Garlic "Vallelao" (from saved cloves) - Planted out 19.11, 20cm apart, 2 short rows 30cm apart.

Kale (Cavolo) "Palmizio Senza Testa" - Sown direct 16.5, 1/2 row. Eaten by flea beetles.

Leek "Musselburgh" - Sown in 15cm pot in greenhouse 23.4. Moved to coldframe 14.5. Planted out 11.6, 20cm apart, 1 row.

Marigolds (saved seed from Tenerife) - Sown direct 14.5, short row.

Mizuna - Sown direct 8.5, short row. eaten by flea beetles. Another short row sown 11.6 plus x12 medium modules in coldframe. Potted on to 9cm pots 3.7. Planted out ?

Nicotiana Sylvestris "White Trumpets" - Sown 2.4 in greenhouse, 1/2 seedtray. Pricked out to medium modules x12 30.4. Potted on to 12cm pots x12 14.5. Planted out 60cm apart 28.5.

Pea "Early Onward" - Sown in greenhouse 12.3, 9cm pots x32, 3 seeds per pot. Moved to coldframe 28.3. Planted out 9.4, 1/2 row.

Pea "Onward" - Sown direct 8.5, 1 row. And another 28.5.

Pea bean (saved seed) - Sown in greenhouse 7.5, medium modules x12. Moved to coldframe 21.5. Planted out 28.5.

Phacelia (green manure) - Sown broadcast 13.4. And 11.6 where garlic was.

Potato "Desiree" - 1kg bought in for chitting 12.3. Planted out 22.4, 1 row,15cm deep, 40cm apart.

Potato "International Kidney" - 2kg bought in for chitting 12.3. Planted out 31.3, 1 row, 15cm deep, 30cm apart. Earthed up 27.4.

Potato "Wilja" - 1kg bought in for chitting 12.3. Planted out 31.3, 1 row, 15cm deep, 30cm apart. Earthed up 27.4.

Runner bean "Enorma" - Sown 8.5 in greenhouse, large modules x36. Moved to coldframe 21.5. Planted out 28.5.

Salad leaves - Sown 2.4 in 15cm pot in greenhouse. Moved to coldframe 30.4. And another sown 23.4. Moved to coldframe and another sown 14.5.

Scorzonera "Long Black Maxima" - Sown direct 23.4, 1 row.

Spinach "Mikado F1" - Sown 1/2 row 12.8.

Sweet Pea "Royal Mixed" - Sown in coldframe 12.3, 9cm pots x8, 1 seed per pot. Pinched and planted out x3 22.4.

Tomato "Gardeners Delight" - Sown in propagator 9.4, small modules x10. Potted on to 9cm pots x4 30.4. Planted in growbags 14.5.

Trefoil (green manure) - Sown broadcast 13.4.

Wild Rocket - Sown in greenhouse 9.4, small modules x10. Potted on to 9cm pots x7 7.5. Moved to coldframe 14.5. Planted out 4.6 30cm apart.

WILD FLOWERS/MIXES -

Field Poppy - Sown broadcast 13.4.

Pictorial Meadows Classic Mix - Sown broadcast with sand 15.4.

Pictorial Meadows Contrasting Mix - Sown broadcast with sand 13.4.

Leaving Tenerife

Back home now and feeling lucky to have been able to spend much of the winter in the warmth and sunshine. Already I'm missing the fresh greens, tomatoes, avocados, bananas and much more.

I love the scenery of south west Tenerife and was able to spend time walking in the mountains where spring is much in evidence, the almond blossom on the trees around the towns and villages is especially beautiful at this time of year:



Every part of what many people would call scrub land is to my eyes as beautiful as any garden.


The hour before sunset infuses everything with a golden glow:




Not so long ago the island would have had a sustainable economy based on farming and fishing but has now mostly gone over to tourism. The terraces where lentils and chickpeas once grew lie abandoned. But up in the mountains I sometimes came across people still living the old ways with a few goats and a patch of vegetables. Just as it should be:




The last of my photos from Tenerife are here.

Back in the sunshine

I can't say I'm a big fan of the no dig/no weed/foraging approach to growing but that's how I've been spending my time, back working on the permaculture finca in sunny Tenerife.

Here's a taste of how some of it works: we've been weeding the paths around the beds on a couple of the terraces but not the beds themselves, only really large woody weeds are removed:


Along the irrigation lines, next to each dripper, pumpkin plants are put in:


There are no slugs or snails here, the only pests are rabbits - who can't spot the plants in amongst the weeds. During the summer when there's no rain the weeds die off - only the pumpkin plants survive as they are being irrigated.

I've also been sowing sweetcorn using the same approach. So does it work? The remains of last years corn plants were still there so I guess it must - though what the yields were like I don't know. Good volcanic soil, a great climate and irrigation obviously also helps.

In amongst the weeds there are also self-sown crops like rocket, Canarian spinach, mallow and tomatoes like this one:


Another of our jobs has been mulching around the many avocado trees which are part of the developing forest gardens:


Another important crop is bananas; these are grown commercially on a large scale on the island, often in large plastic greenhouses (actually very fine netting) but not being indigenous they need a lot of water, again via irrigation. Here on the finca they are of course grown organically and as the top layer in some of the forest gardens:



I've been enjoying my time here, made new friends, and the methods being used are certainly thought-provoking. The owner's vision is that eventually the whole system will become self-sustaining; how long that will take only time will tell.

And the scenery isn't bad either:




My latest photos from Tenerife are here, here, here and here.

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A Beginners Guide to Shopping in Derby.

Shopping in Derby is not conducted in the street but in special houses called shops. Some of these shops are very big, bigger even than the Mayor of Derby's house.

You can get a pie and chips in Derby for around two and sixpence but the nutritional quality may be questionable. Mushy peas are not as popular as urban legend would have you believe.

Derby people call each other "duck" or "ducky". Don't try this in Shepton Mallet as you will not be understood.

The Westfield Centre is full of well-dressed people buying new clothes. They are obviously all certifiable but as yet the authorities don't appear to be doing anything about it.

People who can't afford to shop in The Westfield Centre are known as "The Others". If you are very poor you can still be part of "The Others" but have to go to the car boot sale at the cattle market on Sunday mornings. The cattle market is located outside the inner ring road.

The inner ring road was completed in November 2009.

To be allowed in The Westfield Centre you need to have more money than sense/be shoplifting/be taking a short cut to the cattle market.

Traffic wardens in Derby are easy to spot as they are dressed the same and walk around in pairs. The same goes for security men. This doesn't mean they are twins; I know because I've asked.

Derby city centre has many CCTV cameras and security men. This makes shoplifting a challenge but don't let that put you off.

Derby is a multi-cultural sort of place so it helps if you can speak in tongues and wave your arms around a bit. This may also help when you are caught shoplifting.

Derby is very safe and does not have a police force.

There is a shop in Derby called The Merry Cobbler. This used to make me laugh but not any more. Cobbling is a serious business.

Don't try shopping in Derby on a Wednesday afternoon as most of it will be closed. On other days of the week Derby may appear to be closed but this is not the case. You just aren't looking hard enough.

On the other hand a lot of shops in Derby are empty. If you walk into a plate glass window in Derby it's probably because the council has cunningly disguised it as a real shop. You could try suing but I don't fancy your chances.

The main industries in Derby are shops, cobbling and nuclear weapons.

Hola

A belated happy solstice to you all. Did anyone see the lunar eclipse? I missed it on account of it being too cloudy here in Derby. And too cold to get out of bed anyway.

I'm feeling the cold having just spent three weeks in sunny Tenerife, working (through HelpX) on a finca up in the hills above Puerto Santiago, a small permaculture holding with bananas, advocado and mango trees interplanted with cardoons, sweet potatoes and stuff. And vegetable crops like pumpkins and tomatoes. Mosly clearing areas for planting, pruning and mulching around the trees. Good time had by all and hopefully somewhere I'll get back to soon.


There's more photos of my trip here, here and here.

New World Disorder

November is the new January. Siberian winds, snow and penetrating frost; we've just had the coldest November night since records began. -8 here this morning. And apparently it's going to get worse.


The Jet stream appears to have stopped or broken down over Europe:


You see the UK and Ireland, Northern France, Germany etc. and Scandinavia in the bottom centre? Usually the Jet stream goes straight across Northern Europe acting as a buffer against the freezing Arctic weather. But now it has looped down over Spain with another arm over North Africa. Apparently that has never happened before. (source: Sott.net)

If I were a conspiracy theorist I might say that this is a result of our government's clumsy secret attempts at geo-engineering via chemtrails. But surely they wouldn't be going that far! Would they?

Peaceful autumn colours

I find September a bit depressing, end of summer and all that. But once I get my head round it and the leaves start changing colour, autumn isn't all that bad. Especially when the sun comes out.

Still plenty to eat too: carrots and leeks; apples and the last raspberries; spuds, onions and dried beans in store. In fact I seem to have enough spuds to feed an army, which would be handy if I decide to declare war on my neighbours. Perish the thought.

Thoughts on digging

I'm taking a different approach to digging this year. I'm not yet convinced enough to go for a complete no-dig system but I did notice where my maincrop potatoes did so very well this year was where the ground hadn't been dug for several years (prior to that it had been growing strawberries). And farmers always used to leave part of their land fallow each year - I think putting my meadow mixes into the rotation and leaving them for two or three years should achieve something similar. So anyway this autumn I've only dug compost into this patch where the ground is heavy and cloddy, so that the frosts can break it up over winter. Everywhere else it's already nice and fertile - and has mostly been mulched with compost over the spring and summer - so I reckon I'll cover bare ground with leaves to stop nutrients being washed out by the winter rains, then just fluff it up a bit in spring prior to sowing.

More autumn colour

Besides the changing leaf colours there's also still a few flowers to enjoy in the garden and on the plot:

Monkshood

Evening primrose

Californian poppies

Chillis

I'm having a go at drying the last of these. Should make useful ammunition for the winter.

How it is

It's shaping up to be a wet autumn so I'm glad I got the maincrop spuds safely gathered in last weekend. Out on the plot there's carrots, leeks and sprouts for the winter and purple sprouting broccoli for the early spring. The spring cabbage is starting to grow away and I've sown some broad beans for then too. The runner beans are over but I've got peas in the freezer. In the greenhouse the tomatoes are about over but the dastardly peppers are still cropping nicely. In the fruit department I've still plenty of apples, pears and the last of the blackberries and autumn raspberries. I'm also sprinkling a few home grown flax seeds on my muesli of a morning - I haven't developed x-ray vision yet but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.






A belated happy autumn equinox to us all!

Saving seed

Pea beans and french beans - I'll let these dry out for a few days before shelling them.


Funky pea beans:

Sprouts

Bottom leaves need removing when I get round to it.

Carrots

A nice row of Autumn King, if I do say so myself.

Right then

Right then, back to gardening. Time to savor the last of summer.

Apples

Am I eating apples? Yes I am.

Chillies

Tried a couple of slices of the first red ones yesterday and they nearly blew my head off. Should make useful gifts.