End June Update

As we approach the end of the first half of the year it is time for a quick update.

Fruit and veg are doing well. Had an issue with the onions at planting time and within a week about half were dead. I think I had waited too long to plant them after purchase. This year I planted Spinach, Cauliflower, Cabbages, Lettuce, Celeriac, Onions, Peas, Beans, Turnip, Swede, Rocket, Brocolli, Potatoes and Tomatoes. I also have my usual fruit Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Redcurrants, Blackcurrants, Whitecurrants, Tayberry, Cherries, Grapes and Gooseberries. Plus a nut tree I’ve had nothing from yet for three years and a Lemon bush. The fruit is mainly in tubs which I am almost finished going through and repotting.

I’ve planted my cauliflowers and my cabbages too close to each other though. They are already expanding rapidly and soon will be squashed together like Sweetcorn. Some of my fruit tubs are still not draining correctly so I need to fix them soon.

The chickens are doing fine. Sadly, they fight when together so I let each set out of their pen and wander the garden in turn. I’m considering getting a couple more Warrens as the run they live in can take another 6. I’ve been told that they will soon settle in but I’m concerned about having a mixture of different ages, no cockerel and identifying which of the hens is unproductive. I don’t see it being a problem atm but in the future productivity means the difference between me eating eggs or chicken.

The chicks are doing well and starting to lose their fear of me. There are actually three chicks but one is an explorer and destined to be eaten by a predator or drown in the pond. It is always walking away from the Hen. The others, pictured, stay close.

The Bees are doing fine in one way, they are thriving and gathering honey but I still don’t have a queen in one hive and time is running out. Just put some brood in last week and hopefully this one will be the one. If not the hive won’t make it. I’m putting this down to inexperience as this part is the part where experience and knowledge are needed as I’ve already cut out some queen cells I should have kept instead. Nature will just have them flying away to somewhere else as a swarm and they will likely simply die.

With the chicken area being well stocked with food I’ve been seeing the pigeons come back, first time since 2008, so I’ve prepped the air rifle ready. Pigeon will make a change from eggs.