It's Wet Out There

Despite all best efforts by the Great British summer sun to deposit some last minute vital rays on the plot, it is sodden and squelchy underfoot. Mercifully we have free draining soil and raised beds, but even so, yesterday's trip to the plot, during which I planted shallot Jermor, onion Radar and garlic, varieties Marco, Cristo and Germidour, was a decidedly sticky experience. As I slid around on my bark paths, now ever so slightly mud filled, attempting to use my newly oiled trowel, the planting was difficult. With hindsight it was too wet to dig, even in my soil, so I will wait before planting my further varieties of Solent Wight and Purple Wight garlic, but at the same time I shall incorporate a sprinkling of compost in the bottom of those planting holes, so as to minimise any possibility of rot.
Those that I have planted, received a good mulching of compost on top. Here's hoping with all the wet, that it brings the worms up to pull all that matter down.

There is an upside to the wet soil in that it makes weeding much easier, so yesterday the saffron bed received a much needed tidy up and that will be compost mulched later today,  which will protect those emerging shoots.

It's time to dig up your horseradish and make sauce and I have to say that Zazen999's thongs (sorry honey) have made sizeable plants. I will dig up the largest plant and chop the main root, removing the small ones to be replanted. Should make for a bigger spread than ever next year.

En route to the allotment we stopped via our nearest Wyevale garden centre and managed to pick up some reduced turf, for the top of our garden. It's the area where we removed the holly tree and needs a complete renovation of the grass area. A new Rhubarb plant fell into my trolley at the same time. This one gives you stalks much later and right through to Autumn, prolonging that rhubarb crumble and custard craving.

Whatever you do this weekend, don't forget to check out your local garden store/nursery for some possible end of season bargains.

Here's a picture of my sunset view from the allotment through my raspberry fedge - taken today.