Slow painting

Friday 4 February 2011

Low ebb


Along with the glaur, we have slime. No crisply overwintering lollo rosso for us. Just a composting-on-the-spot icky mess.

And we knew this would happen - the potatoes stored in the shed experienced sub-zero temperatures, and were bound to suffer.


Perhaps the bright side of all this decay is that the phacelia that we didn't manage to dig in during the autumn is doing its own breaking down, after being buried under the snow. But look closely and you'll see a hint of green peeking out from the leaves and dead stems.

I think we may be about to experience the return of the phacelia for another season, just where we don't want it. Snow for the month of December, followed by rain, illness, other bits of life, all have kept us away from the plot. Although I've been going along to check on the broccoli cage and empty the kitchen waste into the compost bin, I haven't done any real work since November. It feels as if I'm losing touch with it. Just standing looking doesn't make the same connection as putting spade in soil, weeding, sowing, planting, pruning.

For the past two days we've had gales and heavy rain, nothing to match the storms in the US and Canada, but I've gone to bed at night listening to the roaring wind and thinking of the fate of the broccoli cage. Last weekend I was at the plot I spent the time fitting poles back into their sockets, and that was before the gales. Ironically we have all this anti-pigeon protection in the year when the broccoli is sitting there doing nothing. I'm still hoping for a growth spurt in March, but if not it's been a long winter of cage maintenance for nothing.

12 comments:

The Plotkeeper said...

That lettuce looks so sad! the weather is horrible, but it won't be long before the digging starts,thank goodness.

donna said...

The poor potatoes now look like dinosaur eggs. I looked and looked and couldn't see a bit of green poking out of those leaves. Maybe a tiny, tiny speck of green on the left side of the photo. I think you're just "wishing" there was green showing. ha-ha

Happy weekend to you, Linda.

donna

Mark Willis said...

Linda, you sound as if you have a severe case of SAD! Have a look at my post called "Sunshine at last" to cheer yourself up. At least you can take heart from the fact that even the frosted lettuce has made a really spectacular photo.

Jo said...

What a shame about your stored potatoes. This winter has been so cold though that many things in storage will have suffered the same fate. I didn't net my broccoli so it's been eaten, hope your's grows for you.

Sue Garrett said...

It's been such a long winter hasn't it - in terms of not being able to do much outside.

... said...

So sad with the lettuce and potatoes! The winter has been cold, but soon spring and new growth will come.

Hope you have a nice weekend, Linda!

Mal's Allotment said...

Awww Linda, That's upsetting. But don't give up on your brassicas just yet.

(Those lettuces are used to Latin climes)

fer said...

Bad days for gardening can get any of us a bit down. Wish you get some good weather soon. Spring is coming soon

Linda said...

Thank you all for your cheering comments. I am feeling better already - even tho it's raining today and work at the plot is out of the question.

Kelli said...

Hi Linda, I had the same problem as you with potatoes stored in the garage after the big freeze. The ones in the house were fine. Its only when I went to get some from the garage that i discovered the same 'look' you did. (Boy, did it smell too).

Kris said...

Sorry to learn of your spuds and lettuce, but keeping fingers crossed for your brassicas. The cage is looking great, though. Should keep the pigeons out this Spring! Hang tight, winter can't last forever (as I keep telling myself these days).

Peggy said...

Hi Linda, good to see you back! I had missed the post about the green wellies.
A lot of our onions stored hanging in the shed got frost bite too. We have got in a little digging and are looking forward to a new season starting.