Monday 4 August 2008

Comfrey magic






Popped down to plot 44 this morning for an hour. I think I really need to plan my visits so that I can make good use of my time. I tend to go down without really thinking about what needs doing, then, I just go with the flow, if you like. Although I seem to always find lots to do, I am sure that I could do more, within the time frame. I think I should employ a time and motion consultant!. I could spend all day down there, and still come home thinking "I should have done this," or " Damn I didn't do........." Anyway, today I ....... dug up another row of potatoes, these are Maris Piper, they make a lovely roast potato. fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside....Mmmmmm.....


Then I dug up the rest of the carrots that were under the fleece which has eventually surrendered to the elements. Mind you, I was very pleased with the results. Lots of lovely looking carrots and not a carrot fly in sight. I definately will be growing them under fleece again. I decided to dig up the whole lot, because I didnt want to leave them to their fate.


I then made up a comfrey "brew", apparantley Comfrey is a marvellous plant to have on your plot. If you pick the leaves and put them in a bucket filled with water, leave them for a month or so, you will end up with a vile smelling brew that is the most wonderful liquid feed. You can also cut the leaves and place in a trench under your potatoes, they will quickly rot down and provide nutrition to the crop, some even say that this will improve the flavour too.Check out this link, http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/index.php


Roy was kind enough to give me an armful of his Gladioli, they are now gracing my kitchen window, thankyou Roy
Back at home in the greenhouse, the Jalapeno chillies are really excelling themselves, Any recipes requiring Jalapenos gratefully recieved...
I do believe that our "sunmmer" is now drawing to an end.... at the beginning of August... I think all the seasons have merged into one rather ill defined season. What has happened to the long hot summer days we had when I was a kid on the six week summner holidays. I certainly dont recall being stuck indoors for days on end, our mother would have gone mad, two sets of twins and no games consoles !..... every day was beautiful and we were able to go out playing and making "camps" on the common that surrounded our estate with all our friends. Or am I looking through rose tinted spectacles? Do you remember the term "heatwave"? Times are a changing.. I wouldn't feel at all happy letting my 10 year old dissappear off over the common unless he had his mobile with him,and half a dozen friends, even then there is danger. Or is it just the media making us more aware of the dangers that are lurking just outside our front doors therefore turning this generation into soft, sofa hugging gaming experts.





3 comments:

Matron said...

I make the same liquid feed with stinging nettles - it is really wonderful stuff! I'm growing some Jalapenos this year too - not sure what I'm doing with them either, but they are fun to grow anyway. I might split them lengthways and stuff them.

Goosey said...

I think you are right about the summer, when they say global warmimg I think they just mean wetter! Hope the comfrey mix goes OK...I made some here in the garden once...the neighbours did not appreciate the smell...but you should be OK on the allotment, take care, love Goosey x

oldcrow61 said...

That's very interesting about the comfrey. I've done the same thing with sea weed. The mixture ends up smelling vile but is one of the best all round fertlizers. I have to agree with you about summers now a days. When I was a child, summer seemed to go on for ever. Your potatoes look wonderful. The glads are beautiful.