When I say they are revolting I think that it would be more accurate to describe the penguins as being outraged. How dare the nasty orange man impose tariffs on the island that they and they alone inhabit. Of course there is a trade deficit, they don’t sell anything to the USA…..but hang on, they don’t import anything either, so I suppose there isn’t actually a deficit, so they don’t have anything to worry about really. However, how it will affect the rest of the world is a different matter. The man and his cronies are deranged, and are playing dangerous games which they don’t seem to have fully (or even partially) thought through. It could all end in tears before bedtime.
Fortunately we have had the most stunning week of weather, and another one to come, so things don’t look quite as gloomy as they would have done if it was grey wet and miserable. I have loved the cloudless sunny days. Okay there has been a cool easterly wind for most of the time, but find a sun trap away from it and it felt very pleasant indeed. Some rain would benefit growers, but I’m not yet limbering up for a rain dance, it’s just too nice – and when the precipitation does come it will probably not know when to stop, so I’m just going to continue to bask in the loveliness and accept that I will need to do some watering.
I am having to water the polytunnel and greenhouses regularly, particularly the propagating greenhouse which is now filled with trays of plants at various stages of development. The module trays are very shallow, so they dry out really quickly in such strong sunshine, and I don’t have any shading to protect them. When I transplant any of them, as I did last week – lettuces in the tunnel and cabbages out in the open ground, they need a good old drink to help their establishment. There is plenty of moisture in the soil below the top inch or two, so the plants will send their roots down in search of it. This week I plan to get the second early potatoes in. The first earlies are not yet showing through, but I don’t mind that because there are some chilly nights forecast for the week ahead. I will be transplanting the onions that I have raised from seed alongside the overwintered garlic that is looking pretty good. It is also my intention to plant the first batch of cucumbers in the greenhouse, but I will hold off with the tomatoes for another week at least.
Last week I seriously under priced those nice short cucumbers. I buy them by the kilogram and I had estimated that there would be more fruit per kg than there actually was. So this week they are more realistically priced. I am getting in some courgettes this week from the same nursery, like the cucumbers I won’t know what size they are until they arrive, so I have made my best guess and will have my fingers crossed that I am not too far out. My spring greens in the greenhouse have just about finished, but there is plenty of chard still to cut. I have a follow-on crop in the polytunnel, which in turn will be followed by the outdoor plants. Otherwise there is purple sprouting broccoli and curly kale, along with leeks and some root vegetables. I am buying some aubergines grown in Spain to go with the cherry tomatoes, so you can dabble with some Mediterranean style dishes, particularly when you factor in the courgettes. Avocados, oranges, lemons and mandarins are your fruit options.
Tomorrow I embark upon a month long experiment with herbal medicine to try to clear up my Psoriasis. I have a nasty patch on my elbow, it’s also on my knees and lower back. I have used the prescribed steroid ointments for some time, but their long-term use is not something that I am comfortable with, and they have only been partially effective. I am open minded about the alternative treatment, I figure it is worth trying, but compromises have to be made. I am to desist from any alcohol consumption and I am not allowed any peppers or chillies. Both of these things will apparently prevent the treatment from working properly (or at all). I am not a big drinker, mostly only imbibing at the weekend, but I do enjoy my hour and a half in the pub every Friday evening with my buddies. I rather like the old Guinness Zero, but on closer inspection it appears that it actually has 0.5% alcohol in it, and I have yet to learn if that’s enough to compromise the treatment. Until I know the answer to that I will be well and truly on the waggon.
Right that’s me done. Enjoy the week ahead.
Phil