Its rained!

   Mostly very warm days this last week with some cloud, however, I hate to say it but there has been some thunder, lightening and rain! To be honest the rain has come just at the right time. I have one major problem. I managed to break my bush wacker which it the only means I have to mow the grass. Really could not have happened at a worse time!
   Another "finally" managed to do job done. I have a small bed at the bottom of my lavender patch which I have ignored for probably the better part of eighteen months. It is now cleared and ready to be planted. 
   In the poly tunnel mostly in pots and modules I have now sown sweet corn (to be transplanted outside the poly tunnel when large enough), Tamra (a new one to me) and Marketmore cucumber, Kuri, Sibley, and Pacific Giant (these are for halloween hopefully) squash/pumpkin, Blacktail water melon (usually successful in getting a couple of reasonably sized water melons), and Verde Di Milano dwarf bush courgette.
   The early purple sprouting has now gone to flower so that is the end of that. A good crop considering the drought last year. Off to a good start this season with early purple sprouting seed germinating already in the poly tunnel. First lettuce pulled from the poly tunnel. This is one that had over wintered!
   Trying to consume the leek bed! They are showing signs of going to seed so I need to eat leeks! Early potatoes are starting to show as are those I planted in large pots. Always worth a go with the odd few seed potatoes left over. Usually get a boiling or two. So its potato patrol every evening covering up those that have poked their heads above the soil or been exposed by scratching chickens. The first lot of broad beans I sowed are looking a little sorry for themselves and are being very slow in producing pods. They have been badly affected by a rust fungus. The second sowing are still looking good so I am hopeful. Onions and shallots are now looking a little happier after the rain. I decide to transplant tomato seedlings as they were large enough to handle - Auroa bush, Jens Orange, Andine Corne, Poitron eclarte, Gardeners Delight and Crimee Noire - grand total of thirty five plants! Not nearly enough but there are at least as many again at an early stage of growth.
   My eldest daughter, Sophie and a friend, Simon, braved the bees and have harvested one super of honey. The hive has not been harvested for at least two years and probably longer. Last year the colony swamed and we thought we had lost them. The bees were very cooperative with only Simon being stung once and that was away from the hive. I stayed out of the way as a couple of years ago I was stung and reacted to it. Sixteen jars of honey so far recovered and bare in mind this is without a centrifuge! It is hoped that another super will be tackled next week.
   On the chicken front one chicken had to be killed as she had developed a prolapse. Not a injury that can be fixed easily or to the comfort of the chicken. Our buff oprpington cross continues to sit tight and we have put a dozen eggs in the incubator. Fingers crossed for a few chicks.

Early potatoes in the poly tunnel

Transplanted tomatoes

Sophie and Simon ready to tackle the bee hive!