Vegetable Growing
Blanching leeks in the garden means keeping light off the stem
In leek growing, blanching means excluding light from the lower stem. Understand earthing up and keep soil out of the leaf folds as plants develop.
SOIL · CROPS · FARM PRACTICE
Good growing starts below the surface.
A practical agriculture journal about soil, water and the observations that help growers make better decisions.
Begin with the soil →
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Small growing projects
Cut pea shoots with a regrowth plan, not a promise of another harvest
Harvest edible pea shoots while retaining healthy lower growth, then observe whether the tray regrows instead of assuming every cutting produces another crop.
Fruit Growing
Pruning raspberries starts with knowing which canes carry the fruit
Identify summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting raspberries before pruning, because their productive canes follow different patterns.
Vegetable Growing
Remove crop covers when flowers need access to pollinators
Time the removal of crop covers around flowering and pollination needs, with a practical inspection routine for covered vegetable beds.
Farm Observations
A rain gauge needs an open site to tell you what reached the field
Site a farm rain gauge away from obvious obstructions and splash, and keep consistent records that distinguish local rainfall from crop water needs.
Harvest Decisions
Check Whether Sweetcorn Silks and Kernels Agree About Ripeness
Combine silk appearance with a careful kernel check to judge sweetcorn harvest readiness rather than relying on the calendar alone.