The storm that was predicted for last week, didn’t hit us as hard as it appeared to do in other areas. The winds tracked in from the west and I think we had some protection from the Pennines.
We even managed to time Ruby’s walks to avoid the rain.
Although we may not have experienced the worst of the weather, we still had strong winds so we went to the allotment not knowing what to expect.
The main damage was that the panels surrounding the composting areas had been blown down.
The only problem other than debris arriving on our plot from elsewhere, was that the enviromesh had partially blown off the garlic and onions. Both crops are a bit battered but should hopefully be OK. The garlic needs weeding but that isn’t a job for a bitterly cold day.
We quickly looked around and noticed that the early rhubarb was beginning to shoot.
The cardoons are starting the journey skywards.
We had no intention of hanging around so we harvested a few leeks and parsnips before heading home.
The parsnips aren’t as large as last year’s. I’m unsure whether the poor summer weather affected their growth or is just one of those things. Gardening is never predictable.
Back home in the garden, there are also signs that we are turning a corner.
The hit of perfume that alerted me to the sarcoccoca flowers.
The first snowdrops are also pushing through.
If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you may remember that something had rummaged in the pots where I had planted spring bulbs. It seemed that all the bulbs had been either eaten or carried away. Some shoots have appeared in the pots, so there are some survivors. There won’t be the display that I hoped for but at least we should have some flowers.
There is one mystery. I know I wouldn’t have planted the iris reticulata in a partially filled black plant pot but that is where they are flowering. Some bulbs just look to be laid on the compost. There is no sign of irises where I did plant them so has some creature dug them up and transferred them. Maybe its a forgotten food store..
On last week’s walks, we also spotted clumps of bulbs popping through.
We completed our paper hanging last week.
The bedroom was cleaned and tidied. The pictures were back. They are canvas prints of photos taken at the allotment.
All that now remains is to choose the soft furnishings. I’m thinking dark green and cream for the curtains and the same dark green for the chair cushions.
Finally last week I made a sweet and sour chicken dish using our onion and frozen peas. They should have been mangetoout but I hadn’t any. I used the ingredients but not the method.
I used some of our Crown Prince squash, onion and frozen green beans on a Thai curry.
Onion, potato, carrot and parsnip were used in a turkey casserole.
That’s all for this week so as always until next time stay safe and stay well
Nice to some signs but it’s really not inviting yet!
It most certainly isn’t Belinda
We were lucky with the storm, not much damage here either. It’s a bit blustery again today. We noticed rhubarb forcing its way through the soil when we visited Beningbrough at the weekend, along with lots of snowdrops, spring can’t be all that far away.
We haven’t been to Beninborough for while, Jo as it is a bit restricted for longer walks with Ruby.
We were lucky with the storms.