Growing Rogue

Misadventures in gardening since May 2022. Blog/Poetry @BookshopBard when I feel like thinking.

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Seedlings going strong in the window so far.

Here's the thing: how do I get Leeks from here to actually being Leeks? Never managed to grow even one past this stage. Explain it to me like I'm 5 and was dropped on my head once or twice.

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

For now, however, if I'm careful when I go in and out, I can start seeds.

The whole kit costs about £13, so not too much to replace.

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Fixing the zippers on the #Allotment polytunnel today, and it went... moderately well.

I discovered yesterday that my friend and I maaaaaay have put the cover on inside out. No worries, still works.

The cover struggled to shut at the best of times before, hence the broken...z

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

zippers. So when the zippers were on, it was difficult to close. The video shows you how that 1st attempt went. I'm not an influencer, sorry...

But, with a bit of work shifting the cover slightly, and sticking the fabric on better, I got it closed.

It will need redoing.

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

The polytunnel cover is back, and the bottom is buried under the frame to keep it from blowing away. Had a friend to help me, and definitely needed it.

#Allotment
#Gardening

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

It's on like Donkey Kong...

#Allotment

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

More work on the #Allotment fruit cage path today, and a pea prison in case the last lot were food for the critters from the nature reserve. Good chance it was damping off that got them, but taking no chances...

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Turns out it's a cucumber, which I should have seen from the shape. Duh!

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Trying bottom watering seed trays, as I struggle with avoiding over-watering. Filled sink so that half of the seed trays was submerged, and it only took 5 minutes, as opposed to 30 minutes or hours suggested by some (assume they did it differently, no shade implied).

#Allotment

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Also, my first tomato seedling. Came up much quicker than the peppers. They got leggy last year, so any tips to avoid this?

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Could it be? The first seedling of the season...?

Elefant Leek wins the race. Let's just try to keep it alive now!

#Allotment
#Gardening

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Weeding gooseberries is like bathing a cat. It's good in the long run, but it hurts at the time. May or may not have shouted "I'm trying to help you!" at a bush...

Also, still have one un-rotted Table Top Pumpkin to show at the seed swap, still going!

#Allotment

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

This weekend's #Allotment jobs, including a bootload of soil improver from the council, and starting the first seeds of the season.

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Oh, Winter, curse your thankless #Allotment jobs... I know I'll appreciate once I've repaired this old path in the fruit cage area, but I really do not enjoy this work! Delayed gratification is not ADHD friendly.

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Rinsing off the items needed for the season to begin again. For now, there's nothing *in* the potting compost, but seeds will go in starting tomorrow. Wish me luck!

#Allotment
#Gardening

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Today's #Allotment buddy!

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Winter Sunday job - empty the tonne bag of rotting brambles, plants, leaves into the two compost bins, and spread what's left when they're full on one of the beds. So many brambles, and this ADHD clown didn't go get the proper gloves... why do I do this to myself?

#Allotment

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Winter #Allotment jobs and self-care today:
Number of times I headbutted a wooden beam: 1
Number of times I spoke to a pile of wood: 4
Number of lunchbreaks it took to complete a cryptic crossword: 1 (proud of this one)
Number of tip runs done: 2

Time to read and rest...

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

Got a cordless saber saw for Christmas to cut down the huge lengths of wood from the old #Allotment fruit cage, and had fun with it today, starting to get ready for the New Year. Being the least DIY-handy manly man known to man, it is refreshing to get things done myself.

[Growing Rogue @GrowingRogueUK]

"Do they know it's Christmas time at all?"

#Allotment
#Gardening