Just when you think things are safe… the squirrel is back!

The very day after last weeks blog was published, this site greets me! Yes both little hazelnut trees had been dug out of their pots and left on the concrete! Now I love all wildlife, but the pesky squirrel has overstepped the mark… just because he thought there was a nut underneath 🙁 – ok, he was only trying to find a meal and probably thought I put food out for him as I do for the birds.

Fortunately, the roots seemed to be intact and I’ve put them back in their pots. So far they seem ok and are currently sharing the security of the lettuce house 🙂

Talking of lettuce, I’ve had a steady crop of salad leaves to harvest almost every other day from this little lot and they’re currently still going.

So as I mentioned last time, I’ve sown some more, which started showing within four or five days! These will be allowed to grow into proper lettuces and will very soon need thinning out, as they’ll need room to develop.

I had to take the wire mesh off the carrots, as their tops were growing through it and I don’t think need the protection now. However having sown more carrots just beyond them, you can see the wire covering in place – it works well.

Beyond that are the beetroot that look almost as big as rhubarb! I’ve also just discovered you can eat the leaves… something new to try 🙂

As with the carrots, I’ve been watching to see if there is any sign of something edible at the base of all that leaf… and there we have it, little beetroot are growing. I may try digging up one or two (to eat of course) and give the others more space to fill out, because I probably didn’t thin them enough in the early seedling days.

Take my hat of to these little guys – while this was captured on a wild flower, they’ve been doing what bees do in the garden, because all the flowers on my plants have been turning into vegetables…

… and more joy, I’ve discovered little dwarf beans forming…

… and courgettes growing 🙂

Last week I mentioned having a surplus of plants and an anticipated surplus of vegetables. I’ve decided to sell anything (locally) I don’t have room to grow, or, more than we can eat and give the money raised to a local charity – anyone want a tomato plant or nut tree?

This is the one I’m supporting: COVID 19 Hardship Fund

Next week – plants are selling and more to harvest.