Not 24 raspberry canes, but 24 raspberry berries. That was the harvest from our 'one more chance' canes this week, so the decision was made that they'd had their chance and were coming out. There was bushy new growth coming from the base of some of them, but this has been the case from the beginning, and the canes then fail and die as they get taller. Most of them had died off completely. Some heavy digging by my husband was needed to get them out - they were firmly rooted despite their feebleness. Luckily this part of the plot was in shade by that point. It was the hottest weekend of the year, when Scotland was plunged into sudden, startling heat. All over the city people were getting that peculiarly Scottish type of one-sided sunburn, sitting outside bars and pubs. We chose to sweat it out at our green gym.
In place of the raspberries I planted 56 'Mussleburgh' leeks, thinking ahead as I did so to winter and realising how quickly the growing year goes round.
It was an onion family stint at the plot, as I weeded the onions and shallots. This year's crop of shallots has been disappointing - small bulbs and a sparse crop.
The weeds liked their spot between the rows of onions. The thick, strappy onion stems kept catching me unawares and jabbing into my face as I focused on the next weed. I envisaged turning up at Casualty and explaning that I was there because an onion had poked me in the eye.
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20 comments:
Have to admit to being a little disappointed when I received an 'autumn/winter' catalogue this week in the post ;>)
Think you did the right things with the raspberries.
I empathise with the decision to remove the under-performing raspberries. Earlier this year I reluctantly removed my one and only plum tree, which I have had for about 5 or 6 years and which has only ever produced about 5 or 6 plums (in total that is). Let's hope your leeks do better than the shallots.
Nothing better than having your own green gym although sometimes hazardou! noticed your soil looks a bit dry, low rain fall? Good luck with your leeks, I've planted that variety and found them very hardy. Cheers.
We've just planted loads of leeks too. And given lots away!
Wow I love your garden plot. That weed looks familiar. My shallots are flowering since I don't use much of shallots (I call it green onion) can I dig it out and transfer it to another spot? Happy weekend!
Sky Watch Friday
So close to Musselburgh. You won't go wrong with them!
My onions and shallots are less than impressive this year (as in previous years). My conditions/experience appear to be allium averse, but Musselburgh leek hasn't failed me (yet)!
Sorry to hear that your raspberries didn't make it after all, but at least you are putting the area to good use!
It's always sad to 'pull the plug' on something you've worked hard on, be it vegs, fruit, perennials, etc. I don't really mind getting rid of the failing/failed culprit, but I just wish I could recoup all the work and time spent. LOL Imagine the extra energy/hours you'd suddenly find on hand. Hope the leeks work out well for you. Fingers crossed...X
It is always sad to admit defeat but on a plot everything must earn its space.
We grew shallots for the first time this year and they look like yours, the leaves yellowed a couple of weeks ago so I pulled them out and they are drying at the moment but are all small too.
56 leeks was definately the right choice.
Just found your blog, it looks fascinating.
Martin
www.our-good-life.blogspot.com
The leeks will surely give you more of a crop. What will you do with so many leeks? Suppose they keep for a long time in the ground, not sure about freezing or their storage? Kelli
Hi Linda, les framboises sont plus sexy mais décidément je vote pour les poireaux!! Et l'année prochaine tu pourras les faire suivre par des carottes, des pois ...
Our shallots are a tad rubbish this year too, not sure why but they just haven't developed at all. It could be the weeds that engulfed them admittedly but still, means no pickled shallots this year...
Your weeds look quite pretty! I adore a good leek, what a fabulous vegetable... what will you do with them all?
Hello Linda, just found your blog. It's nice to know that it's not only me that has trouble with growing raspberries. I haven't given up yet but I did plant my leeks this week, not sure if there are 56.
Your blog is lovely.
Pippa
Hope your leeks fair well giving you a good result. Shame about the shallots..they are so tasty! But I wonder like Kelli, what will you do with all the leeks? :)
I am going to have to do the same with my strawberries. I have been trying to grow them in the tropics but after a few weeks they are not good with poor returns. So I understand how you feel about the raspberries. I love looking in at your blog and watching a garden on the other side of the world with such different climate and plants. aloha
Hi Linda - Better to have 24 raspberries than 0 raspberries like me. A friend brought me a jar of her raspberry jam using both red and yellow berries. Delicious and pretty to look at, too.
So nice of you to leave a comment on my blog especially since I haven't blogged for a long time. My dad died on July 2. He was loved and he is missed. Slowly things are getting back to normal.
Your mention of the one-sided sunburn made me laugh out loud.
Happy day to you, Linda.
donna
sounds much like the gardens in the mts of WA state. usually we have wonderful, green, yellow, reds, purples in the gardens. this year not much of anything.rather sad. but we should have known, there is still lots of snow in the hills around which is an indicator the gardens won't do so well in my little mountain town.
Loved your comment about the "peculiarly Scottish type of one-sided sunburn, sitting outside bars and pubs. We chose to sweat it out at our green gym". I had a good laugh!
I came to see your photos of courgettes and wasn't disappointed. Great garden images here.
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