Page 56 - Simply Veg 3.21

Grape vine in greenhouse
NVS Lancs DA
It’s May Day Bank Holiday Monday
and absolutely lashing it down. Great.
It was too wet, cold and miserable to
be motivated to do anything down the glasshouse, so I decided to go to the local garden centre, Nursery End, for a mooch round. The nice man there, Chris, kept taking plants off me then my hands were free to buy more! Great sales technique. My little haul brought a cheery smile to my face – it’s not all veg.
The Glasshouse is absolutely brimming with all sorts – flowers, shrubs, herbs, annuals, perennials, veg, edible flowers, spices, grape vines. It’s like playing a game of Tetris trying to move plants and trays around to make some room, get things to fit in a gap. Though it’s May, we’ve still much covered over with fleece as temperatures have gone from extremes of 50o during the day, to -1o at night during April and May. I’ve been caught out in the past so never take any chances, it’s not worth risking loosing months of hard work.
My garden centre haul
It’s definitely all go and full on now with
the tomatoes (about 30+ varieties), chillies, peppers, cucamelon and luffa. All are ready to be planted out and we’ll begin that 2nd and 3rd week of May. The peas and beans are ready to go in as are cabbage and cauli. I’ve had to do an inventory of what we’ve got going as we’ve lost track.
My apprentice, Charlie aged 2, is so funny and usually in the thick of it with his wheelbarrow, spade and watering can. Here he brings a whole new meaning to plug plants. We’ll never know if he’s overheard us talking about plug plants and come up with this. He certainly made us laugh and keeps us on our toes with his curiosity and antics.
The DA will be holding its 1st meeting for over 12 months via Zoom – our AGM on
20 May. That should be fun. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but needs must. I’ve been to quite a few now and they work once you’ve got the hang of them. Hopefully we can begin some DA talks in this way.
Shows. Well Southport have cancelled.
Chorley got in touch with the DA to ask if we’d be interested in a stand and asked
if David could judge. We’ve tentatively accepted the invitation, but it will be dependent on volunteers and what produce there is available. The Show is also over 3 days this year.
My mate Stephen Lowe, BBC Radio Lancashire; finally, is back on air with his outdoor Sunday broadcast after 12 long months – it’s like Countryfile on the radio! He’s part of another programme now and has an hour’s slot. But who was his first guest and visit – moi. It was so good to see Stephen, have a good catch up, basking in the Sunday sun, talking about the various groups and organisations - NVS included - growing, the environment, what’s happening. An hour wasn’t nearly long enough and flew by. Thank you, Stephen, for the invite.
Cath Holmes, Secretary Facebook: @NVSLancs
Steven Lowe BBC Lancs OB
Plug Plant
56 Simply Vegetables