Black radishes

 Grow black radishes much as you would the common rosy radish, although, as mentioned, they will take longer to mature – about 55 days. 

Plant black radish from mid to late summer (or in the fall in mild climates) either directly sown into the garden or started indoors to be transplanted. 

Space the plants 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.) apart or even farther if you want larger radishes. Sow the seeds in well-draining, loamy soil that has been raked free of stones. 

Situate the radish bed in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight and has a soil pH of 5.9 to 6.8.

For storage, the mature plants can be kept in the ground if temperatures are low. The radish can also be stored for months in a root cellar or kept in the fridge for up to three weeks at 0–5°C (32–41°F).

How to make miso-roasted black radishes

We’re simply roasting some vegetables here—nothing fancy. Miso and roasted radishes make a perfect pair, so we combined miso paste, soy sauce, garlic (very finely minced!) and some vinegar to cook our radishes. 

For a fun visual touch, use a vegetable peeler to peel stripes along the length of the radish before slicing it into disks about 1/2 inch thick. 

Then, coat them in the miso mixture and roast. 

Start with 15 minutes on each side, but depending on how thick your slices are, you might want to add another 5-10 minutes to soften them. 

Once they’re soft, remove from the oven and enjoy!

• 2 medium-large black radishes
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, very finely minced
• 1 tbsp. red miso paste
• ½ tbsp. soy sauce
• ½ tbsp. rice vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet with a silicone mat and set aside.
2. Wash the radishes well, and use a peeler to create stripes, leaving parts with the black skin still attached (totally optional, but a fun visual effect!). Cut the radish into slices, about ½ inch thick.
3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, and mix well to combine. Once it’s thoroughly mixed together, add the radishes (in batches if necessary), stir to coat, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Pour any remaining sauce over the radishes, and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes, flip the radishes over, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until soft and a little crispy.

 Using black radishes in pressed salads: 

Basically, I slice them very thinly (using the food processor), along with thinly sliced carrot, cucumber, cabbage, etc, add a teaspoon of salt and mix it all for a few minutes with (clean) bare hands until the vegetables start to exude liquid. 

Then place a plate on top of the mound of salad, fill a tea kettle with cold water, place it on top of the plate and let it "press" the salad for about an hour. 

Then drain off the liquid and voila, a refreshing crunchy salad. 

It takes off the sharpness of the black radish so if you like the sharpness this may not be the best recipe, but I find it delightful. I saw this recipe in a macrobiotic cookbook. Bonne année.

Allotment at 27 Jun 2025

 

Epsom salt spray

Epsom salt adds magnesium, which helps plants grow strong and green.

How to make it:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with  1 gal = 3.785 L  of water.
• Spray the mixture on your plants’ leaves or pour it into the soil.

Where-to-buy-seeds-for-less

https://www.muchmorewithless.co.uk/where-to-buy-seeds-for-less/

Perennial Vegetables: Babington Leek/ wild leek, Welsh leek.

 Babington's Leek (Allium ampeloprasum babingtonii) is available for purchase in the UK from various suppliers:

• Adaptive Seeds: Offers organic Babington's Leek bulbils for sale. Orders containing Babington's Leek and garlic or shallots will ship by late September.

• Otter Farm: Provides Babington's leek bulbils for sale. Available in packets of 5 pips suitable for sowing in modules or small pots.

• Kore Wild Fruit Nursery: Sells young Babington leek plants grown in 7 cm pots, available for mail-order.

• Growild Nursery: Offers Babington's Leek bulbils for UK customers only.

• Incredible Vegetables: Sells Babington perennial leek bulbils in packs of 20 with a special offer of 50% extra free.

Soil conditions, location, and cultivation

Will grow well in a wide range of garden soils, including clay ones – but does less well in especially gravelly soils. 

Will grow in semi-shade or full sun. 

Tolerant of wind.

Plant the bulbs or bulbils at any time of year, about 20cm apart, about 5-7.5cm deep. 

Shoots will emerge in late winter or early spring. 

Flower stalks do not usually emerge in the first year after planting, but in subsequent years, they appear in late spring/early summer and produce a head of bulbils (tiny bulbs) with a few sterile flowers.

Good Companion Plants for Leeks:

• Carrots: Leeks can help deter carrot root fly, and they share similar growth requirements. 
• Celery: Both plants benefit from being planted together. 
• Onions: Onions can help repel pests that may harm leeks, and they share similar growth conditions. 
• Spinach: Spinach is a good companion plant for leeks. 

Container gardening

 Container gardening is an excellent way to grow vegetables and herbs in small spaces, such as balconies or patios. The key is choosing the right pot size for each plant. Here’s a quick guide:

Choosing the Right Pot Size

5L Pots: Lettuce, Chard, Parsley, Basil, Chives

10L Pots: Radish, Celery, Turnip, Carrot, Kale

15L Pots: Cabbage, Beet, Garlic, Brussels Sprouts, Chillies

20L Pots: Tomato, Broccoli, Pepper, Chícharo (peas), Cauliflower

40L Pots: Cucumber, Potatoes, Watermelon, Zucchini, Melon

Quick Tips for Success

Use Quality Soil: Nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix.

Sunlight: At least 6-8 hours daily.

Water Consistently: Pots dry out faster than ground soil.

Fertilise: Use organic or liquid fertilisers as needed.

Drainage: Ensure pots have drainage holes.

Support Climbing Plants: Use trellises or stakes.

Final Thoughts

With the right pot size and care, container gardening is an easy and effective way to grow fresh produce at home.

They are easy to grow from seeds.

 Sow directly into the ground in spring and your garden will sparkle with bright colors in summer!

Lavatera
Godetia
Eschscholzia/California Poppy
Nasturtium
Cosmos
Sunflower
Zinnia
Marigolds
Nigela
Gaillardia

Can I plant potatoes in June in the UK?

You can plant potatoes in June. 

The storage conditions we have ensure top quality – the tubers will not need to be chitted as the ground will be warm enough to start the growing procedure off. 

Just watch out though, potatoes planted later in the spring will be more susceptible to blight in later summer.

Quince

Radical trimming of a quince tree, also known as rejuvenation pruning, can be done by cutting the tree all the way to the ground in early spring. This method is particularly useful for overgrown quince trees and can help rejuvenate the plant, allowing it to develop a new framework that supports ample flowering and fruiting.

When pruning quince trees, it is important to do so during the dormant period, which is typically between late autumn and early spring. This timing helps the tree recover more easily from the pruning process.

For radical trimming, you should remove up to one-quarter of the oldest branches that are close to the ground. Additionally, prune back the longest branches to lateral buds to encourage new growth. Always remove dead, damaged, or crowded branches completely and close to the trunk.

After a radical trim, the tree may take a couple of years to begin producing fruit again. It's important to note that quince trees are tip-bearers, meaning they produce their fruits on the tips of shoots formed the previous year. Therefore, avoid removing these tips during pruning to ensure a good harvest the following year.

For tools, use sharp pruners that have been disinfected with a solution of bleach and water to prevent the spread of disease.

When pruning, aim to maintain a framework of well-spaced branches on a clear trunk to allow sunlight in and improve air circulation, which can help prevent diseases.

Radical pruning should be done carefully to avoid over-pruning, which can delay the tree's cropping. If the tree is very overgrown and congested, more extensive renovation pruning may be required, but this should be done sparingly to avoid stressing the tree.

More about the tree: A Guide to Growing Quince Trees

https://tinyurl.com/288n4baf

никакого навоза больше не нужно

  средство творит чудеса активирует полезные организмы в почве насыщает микроэлементами делает грунт рыхлым предотвращает развитие болезни и вредителей никакой химии и никакого навоза больше не нужно готовлю за пару минут из двух копеечных домашних ингредиентов

 восьми литрах воды размешивают 

2 л кефира или молочный сыворотке добавляю 

100 г сахара и 

настаивают 2 дня чтобы активировались полезные бактерии 

1 л получившегося раствора разбавляю в 10 л воды и проливаю всю землю