12th June 2012

This is not how it is supposed to be, it is raining AGAIN! And the forecast is not particularly pleasant either. So we must keep calm and carry on! There will be nice days and if we put the hard wet work in now it will pay off, I have been planting like mad – still, and weeding like mad. There is so much to do, lawns to mow, edges to trim, hedges to cut. The secret I believe is to set yourself tasks that are not too long, 20 minutes on each thing, it is much more enjoyable and you get a variety of results. Jobs to do: 1. Mow all lawns, this always makes you feel better. You just need to wait for a dry moment. 2. Sow more seeds – don’t give up yet, we still have many more months of the summer. Sow lettuce, rocket, carrots, beans. 3. Plant out any plants that are ready, tomatoes, peas, beans, salads. 4. If your carrots and beetroot is coming up they may need to be ‘thinned’, this means pulling up any little seedlings that are too close to each other to allow the carrots or beetroot enough space to grow into something edible. 5. Weed around you strawberry plants and ft the ground is wet add some straw under the flowers\unripe strawberries so that they don’t go mouldy. Your courgettes should be starting to grow now too make sure they are also weed free. I am a strong believer in a ‘Haxnicks’ product called the ‘speed hoe’ this is an excellent tool for weeding in between your rows of vegetables. 6. Watch out for the slugs. Just be wary.