Manure

Bit of a dilemma.  It's manure-ordering time for the Allotment Association so I thought I should get some.  The deal is you get a big pile, leave it for a bit under cover and then it rots down into a nice non-smelly load.  "£24 a load" seems reasonable but then I found out that a 'load' is 4 tons and I haven't really got space to put it.

So, I canceled the order and I have loads of offers for others on the Site to pinch a barrow-full of their 'load'.

It comes on Tuesday and I imagine everything's going to be a bit smelly for a while.

(I didn't think a photo was needed for this item . . .)

Brazil

In Brazil which is all very nice and everything but I can't help thinking that the sweetcorn will be ready.

Blackberries

Coming thick and fast and I'm checking out recipes.  I've decided to freeze this first batch to see how it goes.

Spuds 2: bugs

Nice crop of spuds here drying in the sun.  Closer inspection though and a load have small (1 mm) holes in them.  I cut one open and found a long centipede-type thing inside, brown and a bit horrible.  So I'm throwing those away and find its about a third of the crop,  Nightmare. Could this be the start of the potato famine on Banner Cross Rd?  Actually I guess I could have cut out the creepy-guy and be left with most of the potato,  I'll do that next year if things get tight.

Spuds

Took the chance in between block laying (see 'Greenhouse base wall' post) to get the final row of potatoes up before the slugs get them.

I thought potatoes were going to be a bit boring but there almost the best of the lot.  Plant a few  little seed potatoes back in May, remember the gift from Ron, and then dig up a whole bunch for each one planted.  Had some for Sunday dinner - roast and boiled - the highlight of the meal!

Going to plant a lot more of these next year as well as some 'earlys"

Greenhouse base wall

Finally, the wall is built. Took a morning off work to get it finished.  More back-breaking mixing, lifting, levelling, measuring.  Quite a relief to get back to the office in the afternoon!

Final corner is a bit iffy but I'm sure it will be OK when the greenhouse is screwed down.