Everything is growing, weeds included ...

With a drop of rain and some hot sunny days everything is growing in the SFG, weeds included.

However, as you can see below, the rocket has bolted again and is full of holes from the Flea Beetle, so out it comes.

On a close-up of the rocket the tough leaves riddled with holes are much clearer.

However, the broad beans are doing well and should be ready soon. Feel the pods to get an idea of the size of the beans inside and pick when you think they are big enough for your taste.

The radishes are also looking good and I may pick some later.

I sowed some rocket seeds a few weeks ago so I’ll transplant into the same bed and try again. The photo below shows two planted and the third being ‘puddled in’ (water seedlings before taking out of seed bed allowing water to penetrate to roots; dig the hole and transfer as soon as possible covering the roots with water, then soil. Especially important in hot weather).

Below you can see that I squeezed 9 rocket seedlings in; the beetroot looks healthy and lettuce ready to eat; carrots have been weeded and watered. But look! The first radishes for supper! (The French like them with butter and salt!)

Now, there may be some Flea beetle in the soil so I’ll have to watch for that in the next few days. However to protect the rocket from attack (there are some on the radish), and carrot from carrot fly, I’m going to cover with fleece.

The SFG is just part of our allotment; the rocket came from a row in a Brassica bed under fleece (see photo below) with red cabbage in foreground, then rocket, (just watered), cauliflower in centre and calabrase in the distance. Cut off yogurt tubs were barriers against slugs when plants were small and flowerpots are watering points. This controls where the water goes (right to the roots), reduces water use and helps reduce weeds as they like water as well!

The next three pictures show our gooseberries (nearly ready), onions, and strawberries, also nearly ripe.

We also have a couple of flower beds which look attractive and encourage pollinating insects.

I’m experimenting with planting plans this year.

In the picture below you should be able to spot three plants slightly taller than the surrounding vegetation. These are broad beans and were planted beside potatoes, but not so deep. The idea is that the beans will crop first and at the same time bring nitrogen up from the deeper soil. When the bean is finished, I’ll cut it off just above the ground, compost the top couple of feet and leave the nitrogen rich roots for the potato to feed on. Notice that I’ve mulched between the plants with grass cuttings to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Tell you if it works later in the year.

The final picture for today shows an attempt at ‘Three sister planting’ based on Native American (Indian) culture. I’ve planted sweetcorn and, as above, put a climbing French bean seed beside each plant. Between the corn I’ve planted squash seedlings (with yogurt watering pots). The theory is that as the corn grows, the beans climb up their stalks (no need to support with sticks) and again bring up nitrogen for the corn. The squash spread between the corn and beans, shielding out the light, preventing weed growth and keeping everything moist. We’ll see!

Right, That’s me for a week or so, by which time I’ll be enjoying food from the SFG.

But....

• What are you growing?
• How are you using this blog?
• Is it helpful or too basic?

Do leave a comment, and tell us about your own attempts at Growing Your Own Food.

And, enjoy the warm weather!