We caught up with Linda Sambell at Overt Locke as she continues to make something of what was a weedy corner of her garden. (Click here for chapter one Click here for chapter two)
Little did I know when sowing my seeds, that there would be predators lurking in the darkened corners of my garden, waiting for my back to be turned. Evidence of their dastardly deeds can be observed the morning after a ‘night on the soil’. Once healthy seedlings nibbled to within a micro-metre of the soil; leaves reduced to lace doilies; and a tell-tale trail of silvery ribbon meandering across the raised beds and not a single culprit to be seen.
Having sown beetroot, peas, lettuce and spring onion seeds direct into the soil, it is very disheartening to find all your efforts have been munched before you even get a look in. In a moment of revenge, my other half sprinkled the raised beds liberally with blue slug pellets to my cries of ‘It’s meant to be organic!’ However, it would appear the entire population of the snail world has descended on my corner of this green and pleasant land – much to their detriment – and now wise to their game, I am looking for effective, but more organic, ways of reducing their numbers.
But back to the plot. Apart from the seeds already mentioned, carrots and parsnips have been sown into growing bags along with a few potatoes in a couple of others. Carrots and parsnips are faring well and will soon need thinning, which feels a little counterproductive but I am assured necessary, to produce a healthy crop.
The germination rate of the beetroot has been poor (even allowing for their tasty appeal to predators) but I will give them another chance by re-seeding their section of the plot and dwarf beans will occupy the last remaining space in the bed.
First occupiers of the plot, broad beans, are now flowering up nicely along with the strawberry plants that were rescued from the earlier ‘clear up’.
The plot, despite its challenges, holds the promise of tasty offerings in the not too distant future – slugs and snails permitting!
Plot on…