16th July 2022 - A Bit More Construction, Onions And Crop Rotation
In the 1st picture we are once again working behind the polytunnel. Chris has made some additional supports between the horizontal pot holders and so the shelf up at the top (which used to have the guttering on) has been extended and this now means we have the capability to increase what we are growing here.
The shelf, which was first of all built to support some light additional growing such as lettuce, can now be filled with soil (additional work required to permit this) and we are going to put the strawberries up there, out of the way. Hopefully they will grow well there and be out of reach of slugs and other bugs.
In the additional wooden trays (there is only one shown on this picture, the second one isn’t built yet but will arrive in due course) we are planning to kickstart the second / third crop lettuce, radish, spring onions, maybe even herbs. There is a slight shortage of light here, but during the summer months they should provide a sheltered start. We’ll have to see, a bit late for this year.
On the sweetcorn plot we have now erected some additional supports for the Runner beans. The race between the runner beans and the corn is very much on with the corn in front at the moment, but the runner beans are catching up fast.
A bit of spare soil for the moment on the corn patch has meant some lettuce has found their way there. It’s starting to look a lot like "7 Sisters" rather than 3.
These are not the biggest onions in the world, but they are grown by us and very welcome indeed. Here Desi has platted them together and they are drying out on this rather warm black plastic covering.
Around the cold frame now. A pile of wood which is for the construction of the second box at the back of the polytunnel that I spoke of before. The broad beans have been harvested and now in their stead are some lettuce. Well, we had plenty of lettuce and they needed to go somewhere. On top of the cold frame some onions for “growing on” next year. Check out the leeks which have also been planted in between the lettuce if you look carefully (they are not weeds). These two grow well in the same proximity, well worth checking out companion planting to help with good cropping. If plants work well together and support each other well it's worth planting them together.
Here is an article on this subjectThe Herb box is looking really good. First time growing Dill, Marjoram, and Holy Basil. The Holy Basil is amazing, such a different taste to normal regular basil (we love that too) but so refreshing and delicious in the al fresco wraps we’re having on the terrace. So nice to be able to grab a few herbs to have with the lunches.
Next year I think we’ll have a whole herb strategy because this year these herbs thus far have been a real winner… and saving so much money too!
The last picture Desi proudly displaying the string of onions… now to hang them in the polytunnel so they can dry out.
