A Robin sat in the plum tree watching me work in the veg patch on Sunday – singing for all he was worth. I whistled back at him, trying to mimic his song – he laughed in the face of my pathetic attempt and flew off. Oh well you can’t win ‘em all.
I set myself the task of clearing the courgettes and planting out the cavolo nero kale. Let me tell you – those courgette plants are vicious brutes when you are working amongst the leaves and stems – my arms were cut to ribbons.
I left one plant in as it was on the edge of the bed and not in the way.
The bed cleared of weeds, refreshed with compost and kale planted, pelleted against slugs and snails and netted against pigeons and badgers.
Job done.
Beetroot seedlings have been planted in the spare troughs and broad beans sown in the greenhouse.
Now all I have to do is wait for everything to mature and enjoy the fruits of my labours. Maybe I’ll pull a couple of parsnips this weekend – see how they are faring.
They are prickly beats aren't they? Your kale seedlings are looking very healthy.
ReplyDeleteYes they are - remind me to wear something long-sleeved next time.
DeleteThe robin storey made me smile. Wear gloves next time you tackle courgette plants! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI was wearing gloves but as it was warm I had short sleeves on - big mistake.
DeleteI have no Cavolo Nero this year - Jane has decided she doesn't like it any more - so I have more Brussels Sprouts instead. Hope the parsnips are good!
ReplyDeleteI'm not all that fond of it but I never seem to be able to grow tight sprouts either.
DeleteYou just can't beat having a wee robin to keep you company can you....delightful little critters, I love the fact they sing day and night in the winter and such a complex song too.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see you are still harvesting courgettes, I am too. Oh yes, they are such brutes to haul out....a job I'm NOT looking forward too!!!xxx
He often sits in the tree watching me but never comes down until I've gone. The courgettes have been fantastic this year - thank goodness I only had two plants.
DeleteLovely :)
ReplyDeleteAre you still getting plenty from your garden at the moment?
DeleteAll those courgettes... how are you doing for space in the freezer? The weather on Sunday was pretty good - working in the veg patch while being sung to by a robin sounds like a lovely way to spend it.
ReplyDeleteThe freezer's full to bursting - not sure what I'm going to do with that little lot.
DeleteYou are very organised! xx
ReplyDeleteIt might seem like that Amy - but usually it's all a bit hit and miss.
DeleteHow fortunate that your climate affords another planting of hardy leafy vegetables. Here the daylight hours are becoming shorter and unless you have a greenhouse or very heavy poly tunnel there isn't much to begin to grow this late in the season.
ReplyDeleteA little stir frying in some olive oil and when they just begin to crisp add some freshly grated parmesan cheese and those courgettes will be yummy!
Enjoy.
Susan
I had the kale plants sown earlier and waiting in pots to be transplanted - hoping they put on some growth before the weather turns really cold.
DeleteI took out my spent courgette plants yesterday too (and found one giant hidden marrow). SOUP!
ReplyDeleteThere is always one giant marrow lurking somewhere - and yes soup is on the agenda for me too.
DeleteAt least we don't have badgers to contend with
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky Sue - they cause a lot of damage and manage to get into the garden even though it is well fenced - where there's a will there's a way in the badger world.
DeleteYou did well with the small round squash plants. I didn't have much success growing them last year. I may take courgette plants out this weekend, they aren't looking too good now.
ReplyDeleteThe green patty pan have been really vigorous this year - last year the yellow ones I grew didn't do very well at all.
DeleteMy resident robin goes missing all summer but he's back again now that the weather's changed. Courgette plants can be nasty things, no matter how many times I get scratched and prickled, I will insist on trying to harvest courgettes without protection.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we never learn
ReplyDeleteA robin came bouncing up to my bedroom window at the weekend, cheeky little thing. It is lovely to see a robin though - it makes up for the departure of the swallows. Courgette plants are very vicious. I tend to work among them using a strange pincer action between my forefinger and thumb. Of course, I could try to find a pair of gloves, but the courgettes would be marrows by the time I found some.
ReplyDelete