Dereks Diary Part 2

[derekbrooks]

Went to the allotment this morning and started weeding another strip on the brassica bed.On the way home from the art class at Blackleach I called at school to feed the tomatoes.It is raining this evening, hard at times so I can't go in the garden or allotment.

[derekbrooks]

Today I have weeded the path up the back garden as far as the shed.It is a brick path and grass grows between the bricks. Been on the allotment this evening and continued with the weeding on the brassica bed.I have also sowed 40 beetroot in cell trays

[derekbrooks]

This afternoon Martyn took us to Edenfield show which is the other side of Bury from where I live.They have another show the third week in September. Up to 2022 I used to show at both shows but last year only the September show. They have changed the venue this year and one reason for going today was to find out how to get there then I can show there in September if I want to. I am no good at finding my way to places where I have not been before but Martyn found it using his satnav.I tried to make some notes about the route as we wemt along but I don't know if I will be able to follow them in September.
This evening I finished weeding the back path then went to the allotment.I almost finished weeding the strip I was doing yesterday.

[derekbrooks]

Not much time for gardening jobs today.This afternoon I went with Janet to do the walk at Blackleach.Martyn took us to R.H.S.Bridgewater after.I hadn't been for a while.This evening I just went to the allotment to water.I don't go till Rosemary has gone to bed and she didn't go till 9.00.

[derekbrooks]

Went on the allotment this morning and evening.I finished weeding the strip I have been doing the last few days.Raked in some fish, blood and bone and two bags of old compost and it is ready for planting.I have some cabbages ,cauliflowers and broccoli to go in.Pulled up a lot of tall weeds on other beds and cut some sweet peas.

[derekbrooks]

Went to the allotment this morning and planted the brassicas I told you about yesterday. I also filled one of my water butts using the hose pipe.I cover the brassicas with nets to keep the cabbage white butterflies off and I went back this afternoon to do it. I make a framework of canes over the bed to support the nets but I wasn't able to finish it because it started raining at 3.15.I just sat in the car for a bit then came home. It is still raining this evening.

[derekbrooks]

It has been dry today so I have been to the allotment this morning and evening.I finished making the structure of canes over the brassica bed and put the nets in position over them.This afternoon we went for a walk and after, I went over the chrysanths again, disbudding and removing side shoots.

[derekbrooks]

It was mainly dry this morning.I fed the tomatoes in the greenhouse then all my hanging baskets and other containers with tomato maxicrop.It started raining mid afternoon while I was at Blackleach for the art club.I intended calling at school on my way home to feed the tomatoes but it was pouring down so I came straight home.It is a long walk from where I could have parked the car to the polytunnel and I would have got wet through.Will try and go tomorrow.It did dry up a bit this evening but too late for me to do anything.

[derekbrooks]

It has been dry today.I went to school first to feed the tomatoes and I tied some up that needed doing.Went to the allotment after and again this evening.I started weeding another strip on the root crop bed where I intend sowing turnips, beetroot and swedes.It soon won't be worth going in the evening .I can't go till Rosemary has gone to bed and it was getting dark by 9.00 whereas a few weeks ago I was there till 9.45.
This afternoon I did some disbudding and removing side shoots on the dahlias.

[derekbrooks]

Amother dry day but didn't have much gardening time. Went to the hut this morning as I normally do.We went a walk this afternoon and when we got home I tied up he dahlias.This evening Rosemary's carer didn't come to take her to bed till 8.15.When she had gone I just had time to go to the allotment to water.I water the communal containers every evening ,unless,of course,it has rained,and sometimes some of my veg.

[derekbrooks]

I mowed the lawns this afternoon then went to the allotment and I went there this evening as well.Heather arrived this afternoon but she can omly stay till tomorrow.Because she is here I was able to go to the allotment earlier because she will put Rosemary to bed.I have finished weeding the strip of ground on the root crop bed which I have been doing the last few days.

[derekbrooks]

Rain was forecast for today but it didn't arrive till evening.This morning I had the lawn edges to do because I didn't have time when I mowed yesterday.I went to the allotment after. I got the part of the root crop bed that I had weeded ready for sowing .I forked it over again and raked it,raking in some fish,blood and bone .I sowed 4 rows of seeds,two different varieties of turnips, swedes and radish. Because Heather is here,I was able to go to the allotment this afternoon as well.I intended carrying on with weeding but I changed my mind and decided to put the second blanching collars on the leeks.If I do weeding every time I go these other jobs will not get done,will they?.Some of the flowers need staking,too so I will probably do them next time I go. Heather went home about 4.00 and I am expecting her to ring me any minute.

[derekbrooks]

Went to the allotment this morning and pulled up a lot of large weeds ,which are easy to pull ,from the rest of the "others"bed and the potato bed.Filled 3 sacks and took them home.Did this because our bins at home get emptied today. We went a walk this afternoon.Not much time this evening but I went to the allotment again and staked the tithonias.

[derekbrooks]

Rained a bit this afternoon but dry the rest of the day.Went to the allotment this morning.I staked and tied the gladioli along the back of the onion bed. I then started weeding another strip on the "others" bed to plant some French beans and courgetes.This afternoon I did a bit of weeding in the front garden then went in the greenhouse and took some geranium cuttings.Just went to the allotment this evening to water.

[derekbrooks]

Heavy showers this morning and very windy.Between showers I fed the tomatoes,hanging baskets and tubs.We went a walk this afternoon .When we got home I went through the chrysanths again removing side shoots and disbudding and tied some up that needed doing.
This evening I weeded the border round the back lawn but there weren't many weeds.When Rosemary had gone to bed I went to the allotment to do some more weeding.Some of the dahlias had been blown over by the wend so I tied them up first.Some of the stems may be broken,though.