We have had some rain. Whether it satisfies the needs of the allotment remains to be seen but I very much doubt it. That said every little helps.
We only managed to visit the allotment on Tuesday afternoon when we managed to prepare the bed where we will plant garlic and over-wintering onions.
The previous week we had cleared the bed of peas and the soil was in decent condition. Peas are regularly watered which has no doubt helped.
Martyn was able to till the soil which would have been impossible on the beds that housed potatoes.
Hoops have been set up so we can cover the onions and garlic with environmesh. This will serve two purposes – initially, it will prevent the sets from being dug up by any animals or birds and then, in early spring, it will protect against allium leaf miner.
At the beginning of the week, we bought two lots of onion sets – Senshyu and Radar – and two varieties of garlic – Pink Germidour and Casablanca. We don’t like just to plant one variety as some years will suit one variety and not another. This way we have two chances of success. After last year’s garlic failure I will give the garlic more space and feed.
We also bought some bulbs to plant in tubs in the garden.
We just gathered a very tiny harvest last week. A few red chillies and a couple of very small red peppers. I think this year we have been lucky to get even those.
I mentioned that we only had one visit to the allotment last week. The reason for this wasn’t the weather but Ruby having a problem with her tail.
We noticed on Monday afternoon that Ruby was keeping her tail down even when obviously excited about a game of fetch.
Then on Tuesday, she avoided sitting down and seemed not to be able to get comfortable. We rang the vet and were told that if we went to the surgery they would fit us in with the emergency vet.
The vet examined Ruby’s tail and diagnosed swimmer’s tail. Ruby dislikes water and even avoids puddles when out walking so this puzzled us. The vet explained that it was a muscle sprain and could also be caused by vigorous tail wagging. We were relieved that it wasn’t something more serious but it’s a mean trick to play on Ruby for being a happy dog. An anti-inflammatory and pain-killing injection was administered and a liquid form of the same medication was prescribed to be given in food,
Ruby had to avoid any excitement and ball games were banned.
A few hours after the first dose of medicine, Ruby was sick so we rang the vet and were told to stop that medication and collect some different painkillers.
The following day Ruby brought up some pinkish bile which Martyn took a photo of. We rang the vet and were told to take Ruby in to be checked over, We saw another emergency vet who carried out an examination and was happy that Ruby was OK but noticed specks of blood in the bile so prescribed more tablets.
Friday, Ruby was on the mend, sitting down, holding her tail in a less limp position so as Ruby looked absolutely bored, we decided on a gentle walk at Nostell. Other than the tail problem Ruby had behaved as normal and no doubt couldn’t understand why we wouldn’t play with her.
Saturday, Ruby was holding her tail up and wagging again so we had another slightly longer walk at Nostell and a gentle ball game.
Sunday, things seem to be almost back to normal but we will have to be a bit more gentle with the exercise for a while.
We walked down to the lake where an adult swan and a couple of juveniles were preening in the water.
The webbed foot looks like a small sail. 
Finally, some of last week’s meals.
I made a batch of pasta sauce using some tomatoes frozen last year. Joining these were our onion, carrot and courgette. I also added celery and mushrooms.
I made a chicken stir fry using our garlic. red chilli, red onion, carrot and green beans.
Into a vegetable curry went our onion, carrot, courgette, potato, frozen cauliflower and runner beans.
Carrot, French beans, courgette and potato were used in a rosti topped turkey dish. Instead of mushroom soup, I used mushrooms and stock.
That’s all for this week so as always stay safe and well. We’re hoping for a less fraught week!
I am cheekily joining Dave for Harvest Monday – courtesy of two small peppers and a handful of chillies. over on his Our Happy Acres blog.
Hope Ruby is back to 100% soon!
Thankfully she is Dave
Oh poor Ruby. It’s always a worry when they’re off colour, I hope she’s back to normal and chasing that ball again very soon.
She is Jo – I just hope that she doesn’t catch it.
Your spring flowers will be glorious! I sure need a cheif cook and bottle washer around here! food looks so good and I’ll be hungry but so hot and tired I don’t want to cook! Your curry and stir fry look delicious. I hope Ruby’s feeling better now!
No chance of being too hot here, Mary. Ruby is back on form now.