The potatoes are finally going in, so it has been a case of clearing unwanted plants, loosening the ground enough to put them in their hole and covering them with material from the compost bins. 'Unwanted plants' to me are anything that may be in the way that I won't miss - what most people call weeds, although I do keep some for the beneficial insects, and plants like mint that have grown too big, or bulbs that have multiplied. some get replanted somewhere else, others are composted or given away.
The polytunnels have been relieved of their storm covers. For the moment. 'Storm covers' are a second layer of plastic over the original which cover the whole structure and are weighed down to protect as much as possible during bad weather. Anything with winds over 30-40mph. This has given me the chance to make an inspection. Of course, now they have been rolled back, I will worry about every sign of high wind and want to rush back to roll them over again. such is my way!
The smaller 3x2 tunnel has been up for several years now and has had its present cover for at least two, if not three years. There is sign of considerable wear on the top of the back arch and small holes at the metal joints at the front. One window has lost its string ties. But it is in better condition than I expected, given that it sits close to the sheet metal boundary wall and gets very warm in summer. In here I have broad beans, peas, self propagated garlic (left from last year), endive that is more than ready for harvest, Vietnamese corriander and a potted fig. I hope to grow tomatoes and peppers here again.
The other, a 4x2 tunnel built last year, has damage to front and back arch joints and a broken zip to the door. A replacement cover is on order and the joints will be padded with fleece to protect the new cover. There are some overwintered greens in here, along with some bulbs that I didn't lift while clearing it while it was a wet garden. This area has dried out surprisingly well since its new use and I hope to use it for those plants that need both moisture and shelter. I will be moving the grape from the polyhouse in pt2 to here so that the polyhouse can be fully clear when it is vacated. (This won't happen yet. When my allotment neighbour gives his up, pt2 will be transferred there so that Littlemeadow will become two parts side by side.)
I have checked the condition of my potted trees this week and been delighted to find that, despite the dry heat of last year, only four have died. Two have died back to a point lower on the main trunk but still have life and one may have reverted back to its grafted root, but overall it is good news. I will re-pot some into bigger containers and top-up all with fresh compost. And make sure I take better care of them from now on! There are also five new trees on their way to replace the dead. Patio trees, so better for the pots.
There have been some lovely days but as I write it is raining. I try not to hate these days because this gives a chance to collect a precious supply for when the heat arrives later in the year. We are experiencing hotter summers, weeks or even months without even the slightest relief. I am trying to think of ways to grow food that can produce in those conditions. It is hard, and I am preparing myself for the hours of watering it will take to keep Littlemeadow the lush green place it is growing into as plants wake up.
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