Tuesday 25 March 2014

Broad beans

The broad beans have been growing steadily at home. I've hardened them off outside and the blustery weather will have helped strengthen them too. Today I decided it was time plant them out.






I have planted them more widely than in previous years as an experiment. I think the plants will have more room to grow, but they may need individual support.

Monday 24 March 2014

Walk on water

Today the sun was out and the wind was lighter. One of the plastic panels of the roof of the greenhouse had been cracked in the winter storms so in the lighter wind I decided to replace it. It turned out to be a simple job. I dug over a patch near the asparagus bed and planted garlic there. I had another go at hand weeding the asparagus too. Hopefully I got most of the weeds this time.

The long discussed change to the hedge along the north side has started. The hedge has been dug out, a trench dug in the edge of the field and fence posts installed. So far no replacement hedge planted and no fence installed.

It seems that the East Riding council have not been asked for permission to remove the hedge under the 1997 Hedgerow regulations and, because the job has pushed into March and the bird nesting season, it is possible that the Wildlife and Countryside act has been broken.

We will see what the police and East Riding of Yorkshire council have to say on the matter. I would have expected the parish council to have behaved in a better way, but perhaps they feel exempt from the law of the land. Maybe they can walk on water too.

Friday 14 March 2014

Broccoli is go

The warm, dry weather has worked its magic and the ground is a lot dryer, so the digging has started.

The purple broccoli has started to push out its spears and I've eaten the first few today. Nice.

Tuesday 4 March 2014

Turn the soil

I popped up to the plot to see how things are. The purple sprouting broccoli is looking strong and has out grown the frame around it. I extended the frame a bit with canes to allow the netting cover to not touch the plants. No sign of the spears yet.

I dug over a bit of a ground to see how wet it was. It is too early I think, so I'll wait a bit longer. The forecast is warmer and dry so in a few days I'll try again.

It seems that other people's sheds have been broken into and the police were informed.