Dave's Allotment

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Celery, Leeks

Purple Sprouting Broccoli

The weekend before last I planted out the Purple Sprouting Broccoli plants that I had sowed in newspaper pots at the beginning of June. I've built a frame with netting over them to protect them from birds (see above).

Celery

I sowed Celery (Granada) at home at the end of March and it looked incredibly feeble and pathetic for months, but finally it has grown strong enough to plant out (see above).

Leeks

The Leeks are now just about thick enough to plant out from their sown positions (see above). So I did the usual method of making a hole (with the rake handle) and dropping them in, filling the hole with water to settle the roots in. So far I've only done a few rows (see below), with plenty more still to plant out.

Leeks

The squash plants (see below) are really taking off now and starting to cover the ground nicely. It's already getting hard to see individual plants, which is where the canes (topped with bottles) come in useful to identify where the roots of each plant are when I need to water (if we ever get a dry enough spell!).

Squash Plants

The fruits on the squash plants are all starting to emerge now too. The first pumpkin is now visible...

Pumpkin

...and here is the first Uchiki Kuri squash...

Uchiki Kuri squash

The Sweetcorn and Runner Beans are looking really good too.

Sweetcorn

Currently picking: French Beans, Runner Beans (just started), Courgettes, Peas, Beetroot, Salads, Raspberrys & Strawberrys (almost finished)

6 Comments:

  • Wow Dave, I'm very impressed with your plants and growing techniques. I have a blog called GardenDesk but the garden I write about is nothing compared to yours!

    I also manage a site called Veggie Garden Info that highlights and links to other vegetable gardening posts and authors. I would love to put some of your posts on the site if you would allow it. Please check out the site and let me know if I can use your posts. My email is Marc@gardendesk.com.

    Thanks and keep up the great work!

    By Blogger Marc, at 9:48 PM  

  • I have always been put off growing celery, it seems like so much hard work. I look forward to watching your progress! By the way, are the sticks in your pumpkin patch to mark where the plants start?

    By Blogger Matron, at 9:26 AM  

  • Hi Dave. It is all looking very organised & productive! Is it really pretty dry at the moment or are you suffering from endless weeks of seemingly uninterrupted rainfall as we are in Lancashire?

    By Blogger Mike, at 8:14 PM  

  • Hi Matron - Yeah I very nearly gave up with the celery weeks ago when it seemed to be doing nothing. Glad I didn't though as it's looking quite healthy at the moment. It still remains to be seen if it will be worthwhile though! And yes, without the sticks it becomes impossible to tell where to water the squash and pumpkins - they have so many huge leaves!

    Hi Mike - Loads of rain and billions of weeds here!

    By Blogger Dave, at 8:58 AM  

  • I learn a new trick of two every time I visit your blog. My garden isn't nearly as productive as yours, though!

    By Blogger Kati, at 4:09 AM  

  • Hi, I found your blog whilst browing for other allotment gardening/self-sufficiency blogs. You're having a more succesful year than me - the rain and slugs have done a lot of damamge on my plot this year, but I'm still holding out hope for a glorious August and September. I have added you to my links at www.bean-sprouts.blogspot.com

    If you'd like to link back to me that would be great, but of course it is entirely up to you.

    Regards,

    By Blogger Melanie Rimmer, at 10:34 AM  

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