The W
The Boys of Summer By Alex Webster
Dartmouth Gardener
ell, the boys are back on the allotment, imported from Cornwall and wearing the colours of the flag of that
same county. The boys in question are six weaner pigs who have settled in well since their arrival in early may at 8 weeks old. Being Saddleback Extra Large Whites they should make a fair size by early winter and they have already enjoyed a diet of chard and any brassicas that have run to seed. all of the usual wildlife has returned to the plot, with the air filled with bird song. an old friend taught me it is best to identify a bird by its song, as you are more likely to hear a bird than see it. I have since found this advice invaluable, as not only does the blackbird entertain me with his song but he also tells me about the goings-on of his daily life. he voices his concerns when possible danger is near and you can hear his panic as he warns all when the sparrowhawk is overhead. Back in march whilst working on the plot I was enthralled
by the dance and song of a male robin who was puffing out his chest, strutting around and singing his best tune attempting to woo his lady-friend. The robin is known as the gardener’s friend, first singing for his supper and then dancing around the digger’s feet ready to snap up any tasty morsel that might be unearthed. he is, of course, mimicking the actions of his ancient ancestors who would follow the wild boar through the forest as they ploughed up the forest floor.
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This year the soil has seemed to take longer to warm up and along with the cold easterly wind April there has been a flurry of playing catch-up, sowing and planting like mad. most large and small seeds have now been sown so it’s important to keep a vigilant eye on those precious seedling and young plants. Threats can come from all directions; the words of Winston Churchill come to mind - an attack can come from land in the shape of slugs and snails, below ground in the form of the stealthy vole who can decimate a row of peas in no time at all and, in the air, our friend the black bird will mistake new onion shoots for worms and dislodge a row in search of a hearty meal. If you’re looking for cut flowers it’s worth trying ‘easy to
grow’ annuals such as cornflower and larkspur. These can be sown in rows between the vegetables which as well as adding interest also attract the ever so important bees. so whilst we encourage wildlife into our gardens we also need to be wary of it too.
Get Planting • sow French beans, runner beans, squash, cucumbers and pumpkin seeds directly into prepared beds outside. a covering of horticultural fleece should provide sufficient protection should a late frost threaten.
• sow sweetcorn outside in blocks, at least 45cm (18in) spacing, with two seeds per hole. The strongest seedling can be selected later.
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• sow cauliflowers and purple sprouting broccoli for harvesting next winter.
• after all risk of frost has passed, plant out tomatoes, courgettes and pumpkins that were previously sown under cover.
• Other young plants can be planted out if conditions are suitable and once they’ve been hardened off (acclimatised to the colder outdoor conditions) for 10 to 14 days.
• Brussels sprouts for next winter should now be ready for transplanting after early or mid-spring sowing.
• Plant out artichokes that were previously sown under cover.
• self-blanching celery can also be planted out towards the end of the month.
• Ridge cucumbers can be sown indoors now, for planting out in early June.
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