Let the battle begin

We had a nice afternoon at the allotment today planting some tatties and spreading lovely soil from the compost heap over the garden beds. There’s something very satisfying about getting your hands stuck into a heap of compost and spreading it around. The kids were initially very bored and complaining until Ben suggested they plant some potatoes and they got into it then and even named their potatoes.

I got the yellow top I’m wearing in this next photo from the charity shop. It’s a lovely fine merino yarn from Italy and the label is Benetton. I really like it but I worry that it makes me look like one of The Wiggles.

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The Wiggles are an Australian children’s band known for their coloured turtlenecks. Greg was the yellow Wiggle. I think he’s since retired and been replaced by a new yellow Wiggle.

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Our kids loved them when they were little and we even went and saw them perform live when we lived in Christchurch.

The plot will change very quickly over the next few months. It’s the calm before the storm right now with all the weeds and slugs still in semi-slumber. Very soon everything will spring to life and although this will be great for my veggies, it will also be war with the slugs and weeds. I don’t use any poisons or pesticides. For the slugs, I use a combination of nematodes (biological control) and beer traps. C’mon slugs, I’m ready. Bring it on.

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10 responses to “Let the battle begin”

  1. Denise Avatar

    The yellow jumper looks lovely on you. Well done with the allotment, I admire your determination

    1. Rachel M Avatar

      Thank you! I quite like that when I wear the jumper I match the daffodils 🙂

  2. fossilcyclist Avatar

    Love the grow, never heard of the Wiggles before, sounds like something found in your allotment! Have read that rough sawdust or wood chips can deter slugs, may be worth following up?

    1. Rachel M Avatar

      Thank you! I didn’t find any of the Wiggles at the allotment yesterday but I did see lots of wigglies 🙂

      I do have wood chips already on my plot but not around the plants. I’ll give it a try.

  3. fossilcyclist Avatar

    A wee typo crept in, yellow not grow – think senility is creeping in!

  4. mrmhf Avatar

    Fab post.

    We’ve applied nematodes for the first time to combat wireworm and other pests in our newly built veg patch. Very keen to see if they work and save some of our crops: https://myhomefarm.co.uk/adding-nematodes-to-our-raised-beds

    Did yours work on the slugs?

    1. Rachel M Avatar

      The nematodes are great for getting rid of slugs. They’re the best of all the non-poison methods I’ve tried. Beer traps are good too.

      1. mrmhf Avatar

        Good to know. We’ve not been overly affected by slugs, but I’m sure they’ll discover our patch soon. Will have sacrifice a pint🍺

      2. My Home Farm Avatar

        Added slug nematodes this week. We have been overrun by them in the veg garden… fingers crossed we can now restore some order.

      3. Rachel M Avatar

        I’m sure they’ll help. They work really well at my plot.

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