This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Monday 9 July 2012

Edibles Update (bean, kale, apple, carrot)

The dwarf Purple Queen seem to be the most productive so far in terms of bean growing. The 'Scarlet Emperor' and 'Cobra' seem to think its too cold and wet. 

The dwarf Purple Queen are growing in pots whereas the other beans are in the ground and are more prone to pest attack.

Left:  Bean 'Dwarf Purple Queen'.
Last year I had success growing carrots in this wheelbarrow but this year germination and growth  has been slow.  I've planted Early Nantes and some 'James Scarlet Intermediate'.
Kale Curly Scarlet is growing well and pests so far don't seem to bother with it. I'm not very keen on it myself, but I like the way it looks. I prefer eating Kale 'Nero di Toscana'.
Apples developing on the self fertilising pot grown apple tree.
Leeks left to flower. Potatoes behind the fence. Calendula and chives near the front. Also at the front (beside the post) is a very tall celeriac plant from last year; I'm waiting to see what the flowers look like. 

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

13 comments:

  1. I'm the same with the curly kales, Kelli - far nicer to look at than to eat. Has the wheelbarrow any drainage holes as if not maybe the soil is waterlogged?

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  2. I love all types of kale, your's looks to be doing well. The carrots we planted in the old bath at the allotment germinated well, but the tops have all been eaten. I suppose it's the pesky slugs again, they've a lot to answer for this year.

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  3. I think I have missed a few posts. I have always wanted to grow canterberry bells. Yours are doing very well. I would think that a lot of moisture or more than is actually needed would hold back some plants.Here we have to irrigate, irrigate, irrigate. We did get rain over the weekend and more on the way. The garden is loving it.

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  4. Your apples are looking healthy. Looks like they should produce a good crop.

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  5. The Celeriac is possibly more impressive as a flower than as a vegetable!

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  6. Wow dwarf beans with beans on that's an achievement this year. Our miserable looking plants aren't even near the flowering stage yet!

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  7. I love the look of the Dwarf Purple Queen, She is beautiful!

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  8. PS....I love the little white kitty. She looks fascinated by what you are doing.

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  9. Everything seems to be doing well for you Kelli - some things are a bit slow this year - the weather isn't helping - but then we would all be moaning if it was sunny non-stop and we had to spend hours watering.

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  10. I love the purple beans. The cat does seem as if she owns the garden and is just allowing you in a for a bit. :o)

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  11. I love the look of that Kale..it is so pretty. I'm thinking...a painting? Your apples look really good...hope you get lots of them this year.

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