Saturday was a lovely day. The sun shone, it was warm enough to be at the allotment without multiple layers of clothes and it didn’t even rain.
Earlier in the week, Martyn tilled the long bed that was due to rehome some raspberry canes.
On Saturday, he put in some posts and I planted the first raspberries. These had been saved from another raspberry bed where the canes needed thinning out.
Other raspberries will be moved but we are leaving them in position until after they have fruited.
Sunday was another dry day, although not as warm as Saturday. We took advantage of this by planting a couple of rows of early potatoes – Ulster Prince and International Kidney.
We also tidied up several beds. I cleared off any weeds and Martyn tilled the beds as they were cleared.
Before we came home we dug some leeks. The remaining leeks will soon start to produce flower stems so any remaining ones will need to be lifted and any still in good condition will be sliced and frozen.
One of our pear trees is flowering. It’s loaded with blossom. It’s just a pity that it never bears fruit. It flowers earlier than the other pears and so isn’t pollinated. The tree that should have been a pollinator never really grew and has since died.
Out and about daffodils are flowering everywhere, in gardens, parks and even roadside verges. It is such a pity that the display is so short-lived. Early blossom is also adding to the display.
The trees are gradually greening. The green of springtime is so fresh and vibrant. It’s a beautiful time of the year and we also are cheered by thoughts that, the entire, spring and summer are ahead. With the clock going forward at the weekend we also have the added benefit of daylight stretching further into the evening.
Most of our walks with Ruby were interrupted by sudden downpours which left us drenched. Ruby didn’t care about getting wet but she was far less happy about the visit to the vet for her annual check-up and vaccination. The vet was happy to leave Ruby clinging onto Martyn while she checked her over. As soon as Ruby was down on the floor, and the surgery door was open, her tail was back up and her eyes were sparkling.
On to last week’s meals.
Our onions, garlic and the last of our carrots were used in a turkey casserole which was served with our potatoes.
Into a vegetable biryani went our onion along with green beans, peas, sweetcorn and red chilli from the freezer.
Some of the leeks that we harvested along with some garlic were used in a chicken, leek and mushroom pasta bake.
At least we feel we moved forward last week. I wonder what this week will throw at us. Until then, I hope you had – or depending on when you read this – are still having an enjoyable Easter break. As always keep safe and well.
I am again linking with Dave for Harvest Monday on his Our Happy Acres blog.
I’ve got a lovely pear tree on my plot, full of flowers and the bee’s love them. Shame is doesn’t bear fruit, homegrown pears are my favourite (although last year there was hardly any thanks for a late frost).
The pear blossom was buzzing, Steve fortunately another pear produces fruit and we have a Conference pear in the garden.
I absolutely love leeks, but they are almost impossible to grow here. I have a few started from seed. Wish me luck. My neighbor had raspberries as beautiful as yours. He grew them in terrible soil, on the north side of his house, never watered or fertilized them and they were amazing. I have some of his plants. I water, fertilize, and baby them. Hardly a berry. Drat that.
Some plants are fickle Bonnie
The pear tree is lovely to look at, even if it is unfruitful. Fire blight always got my pears when I tried to grow them, and I have given up trying.
The pear is buzzing with bees, Dave so is worth growing just for them
Oh, Archie’s always the same at the vets, he hides his head in our arms, I’m sure the vet thinks there’s something wrong with him but he’s happy as Larry again as soon as we leave.
I think vets must be used to being unpopular Jo. We once heard a vet beong pinned to the surgey door by a German Shepherd.
2 dry days in a row – hooray for that!
It is lovely to see the trees and hedgerows greening up gradually and plots looking more loved as the weather entices us out more.
The good weather didn’t last Belinda just gave us a taster of what it could be like.
I especially enjoyed your carousel of daffodil photos. I’d be looking for a pollinator for the pear! Homegrown pears are a favorite.
WE have another pear tree that fruits Sue so we and the bees just enjoy the blossom on the other one.