We did have some rain last week but it was only delivered in short drizzly showers. It was only enough to wet us when we were out and about and to dampen the ground and grass but not enough to have any impact on our dry soil. The strong winds added to the drying effect and so we are still busy with the watering can.
More brassicas were planted – cabbage, calabrese and cauliflower. It was fairly tricky digging the planting holes, as the soil was so dry that the hole filled itself in as I dug. I filled the planting hole with water to give the plants a better chance of surviving. Of course, the day after planting the young plants were buffeted by the winds. Hopefully the enviromesh tunnels gave some protection but the plants did look rather sorry for themselves when we checked on them.
Martyn planted out the leftover blight resistant varieties of tomatoes.
We were sent some pea and bean seeds to try courtesy of a couple whose YouTube channel we follow. Last week we planted the two varieties of peas – Kent Blue and Ne Plus Ultra. I think that we will have to rename the peas Yorkshire Blue if they grow.
We have a row of chives which are now flowering and keeping the bees busy. We don’t use so many chives but as they self seed freely we ended up with lots of plants and so grow them for the flowers which the bees love.
The dry weather has caused our calabrese to prematurely produce heads. They are only small but the buds were on the point of opening so we decided to pick one.
We also pulled some Raspberry Red rhubarb and our very first ripe strawberries. We had one each which was a treat. Unfortunately either a slug or, more likely given the dry weather, a snail had nibbled another two. The nibbled ones were left on the plant to hopefully provide the offender an easy meal so that it won’t turn its attention to another fruit.
Sunday we decided to do some work in the garden. The tubs of tulips were moved aside and pots were planted up with summer planting.
My mum always used to pick a bunch of lily of the valley for my birthday which was a couple of weeks ago. I love them and found an online supplier so ordered some slips. These arrived just over a week ago and it was recommended to grow them on in a pot of compost before planting them out. This was done and they have quickly started to grow. Some now even have flower buds.
On our weekly visit to Nostell we decided to try a different path that had been mown through the meadow.
The path followed a lower route alongside a belt of trees so offered some protection from the wind. In the meadow, buttercups were still the dominant plant with patches of purple clover hiding amongst them.
As we were walking we noticed that rain was falling in the distance and the direction of the wind meant that it was heading our way.
When it arrived the shower was very short-lived. It was just enough to wet us. At that point, I found out that I had forgotten to reattach my hood to my coat. Ruby just ignored the rain and carried on sniffing and exploring, If we were to try to send her out when it was raining, she would stand in the doorway as if to say “There is no way I am going out in that.” On an exciting walk things are different.
Exploring the verges through the wooded area is now out of the question unless a curious dog wants to nettle her nose. Everything has grown so quickly.
We were keen to spot the swan family and our first sighting was of the mother bird and cygnets sitting on the nest. There was no chance of counting the cygnets but the male swan joined them and escorted his family across the lake. Happily all six cygnets were present.
After satisfying ourselves that all was well we headed through another part of the meadow. The grass was wet after the shower and so humans and dog arrived back at the car with very soggy feet. After a drink of water and a dog biscuit for Ruby and a cappuccino and rhubarb flapjack for us we headed home.
Finally a couple of last week’s meals. I made a risotto that used some of our remaining onions, some garlic and frozen peas and broad beans. I didn’t have asparagus and so this was omitted.
The other dish that used some of our home grown vegetable was a vegetable and lentil curry. I used onion and our frozen, peas, French beans, sweet corn. broad beans and parsnip in this recipe. I served it with some of our frozen onion bhajis.
As usual details of what we have sown and planted are posted here.
A video tour of our plot is posted here.
As always until next time, stay safe and well.
I am linking to Dave’s Harvest Monday post here on his Our Happy acres blog.
I love your photos Sue. Swans are nice, the photo of rain is wonderful.
Lovely risotto!
The swans are very regal, Nadezda and rule the lake
I do hope you get some rain soon. Like Sue says, there’s nothing quite like rainwater. That row of chives blooming is lovely, and I can imagine the bees flock to it. I’m trying to get some flowers established near our vegetable garden to attract bees. I’ve planted catmint, which blooms early, but I didn’t think about chives!
It’s been wet today, Dave but showery rather than full on rain. Our showers can be very localised. It’s possible that it could have rained at home and not 3 miles away on our allotment. Fingers crossed. The only problem is that chive flowers are fairly short lived.
I used to pick bunches of lily of the valley for my grandmother, they’re lovely. I have chives that are mostly for the bees as well, although they’re handy to have sometimes. My outdoor tomatoes have been planted out as well, but they don’t look particularly happy in these cool temperatures. All my new strawberry plants are doing nicely though (Cambridge Favourite and Rhapsody, which is new to me). Bertie always look horrified at the idea of a walk in the rain as well and if he gets wet it takes him hours to get his feet back the way he likes them and it involves a lot of scrabbling at the carpet.
I do sometimes use the chives CJ. I also freeze a few snipped leaves. Apparently the flowers are edible but I haven’t tried them.
Ruby’s used to having wet feet as the vet recommended that she has her feet washed after walks where lots of other dogs go. Apparently it helps against bugs they may pick up. She’s quite good and hops into the shower cubicle and lifts her feet up one at a time for me to wash so it only takes a cou-le of minutes.
My rhubarb is close to being ready. It has rained 2 1/2 inches today. We really needed it. The timing was perfect as I just planted my outdoor garden. I’m glad you didn’t get soaked on your walk. Thanks for sharing. I’m always so impressed but how well you keep track of what you plant and harvest.
We really need some persistent rain too rather than the showery stuff, Bonnie.
Goodness, your strawberries are ripening early. We could do with a decent downpour as well, the soil is bone dry. I love lily of the valley, you remind me that mine seems to have disappeared. Lovely seeing the swan family and so many delicious meals.xxx
The strawberry plants are loaded, Dina. I just hope that they avoid being munched. I’m hoping to make strawberry flapjacks when more berries ripen.
Our last rains are usually in April, then begins the use of city water after our 800-1000 gallons of stored water is used. Plants do prefer rainwater. I too love lily of the valley, which we grew in Massachusetts. And once again, there is your gorgeous rhubarb. I’m so envious of the deep red color.
When stewed the Raspberry Red rhubarb is a lovely red colour too Sue.