It’s nearly 12 weeks since I took my first steps into the world of home-grown veg. In that time, there has been a lot of glorious sunshine, so I have been kept busy watering. Unfortunately, there was also a storm a couple of weeks ago, and the pea plants and leeks that I had been watching grow in perfect form were completely flattened and a lot of leaves on the pea plants were blackened by all the salt in the wind and rain. I was devastated! However, I propped up the leeks by putting rings of string around groupings until they got their strength back and tied up the peas as well as I could, and they survived. Some of them still have some battle scars, but don’t we all. Since then, I have planted out the leeks to give them all more space and – most exciting news of all – I now have several well-formed pea pods!
I have also planted some potatoes in a planter bag that I managed to get on the internet. I chose salad potatoes (Nicola or Charlotte – can’t remember which), as I was told that other ones would have no chance of reaching crop before the winter this far north. The bags I got are pretty smart – with flaps at the bottom to retrieve the crop. However, I am told that potatoes can just as easily be planted in a bag-for-life with some holes for drainage at the bottom, so no need for special planters. This makes them a crop you can easily grow in the smallest of garden spaces, and the great thing is you can move them around if you need the space for sitting out. I just used potatoes from the supermarket that had grown eyes. No sign of life yet as I just planted them the other day, but hopefully I’ll see some green soon! I have left space at the top to add extra compost as they grow, as apparently that gives you a bigger crop. I have another two of these bags, so may try something else … Watch this space!
I can see a remake of the Good Life coming!!
Woohoo amazing effort – I need to get some pots on my window ledge I think! 🙂 Inspiring stuff. Ana