This year the garden routine has been organised differently. As you all know all the crops have been divided into groups and the co-ordinator (or Captain,) of each group is responsible for those crops. From sowing to planting and very importantly at the moment watering. This is a very fair idea as it spreads the responsibility across members.
Last year we had a watering rota but this year each growing group is responsible for organising their own rotas if that becomes necessary. The fruit bushes around the edges, for instance take a lot of time to water so this is where a team effort is really helpful. The salad crops also need more attention than the more deep rooted crops.
The weather has been unusually dry and it is a crucial time at the moment with all the seedlings and young plants being nurtured that they have the water they need and protection should there be a danger of frost. So whatever crops are sown, either in the polytunnel or the beds it is important to make sure that the crops are being cared for. The more mature crops are also in danger of needing some watering as the heavens remain perfectly blue. The onion bed is actually looking dry now and the purple sprouting broccoli might need a bit of watering to help it sprout.
Graham, Captain of the bean patrol, is going away for a couple of weeks and his broad beans have just been planted outside so after a chat this afternoon I agreed to put some cloches over them in case we get the colder weather which is forecast. Lovely though it is in the day, the temperature drops rapidly at night and there is a possibility of frost.
As I looked around for something I could use to keep the fleece off the ground, I had an allotment moment . There was a short cloche which covered half a row but what to do about the rest? Angie had pruned the fruit bushes some time ago and the cuttings were lying in a neat heap. I took some bendy ones and these proved to work really well as hoops. Pushing each end firmly in the ground and where necessary binding two shorter pieces together with wire in the middle, the fleece then sat nicely over the beans, weighed down with some bricks etc either side. Graham is going to check that his seedlings in the tunnel are cared for while he’s away. His runner bean seeds were planted on Saturday and the wig-wam made of canes, looks very impressive, also a team effort.
Thanks to Sylvie the last of the Charlotte potatoes got planted in bed 8 yesterday. While I was down there today I gave them all a good watering and my plan is to give them a really good soaking once a week but it may be necessary to do it twice weekly. I watered the broad beans in bed 9 as well as the leek seeds and chard I planted last week, also covering them with fleece. The garlic has also been given some water. I hope we get some rain soon as I only meant to go down for half an hour and it turned into two!
Some members have already volunteered their help in watering, would anyone else be able to spare an hour or so a week? Have a think about which crop group you’d like to help out and let them know. As more things get planted more will need nurturing.
S.
Tangmere Community Garden 