Chris’s allotment blog
Stumpy in the bunker
3 bald and 1 leafy gooseberry bush
Tuesday 29th September
Battle has been raging down on the allotment – it was me versus the Willow Stump. Stumpy was well dug into a bunker and wasn’t showing any sign of surrender. But he was standing in the way of Gooseberry Progress, so he had to go! The campaign was like guerrilla warfare, with me sniping away every time I was on the allotment, chipping away at resistance bit by bit. The weapons were the mattock, the trowel, the spade, the saw and the sledge hammer – all resources were mustered. The fight was grim, grimy and gritty. Dirt got under finger nails, knuckles were skinned but in the end, resistance was futile. The final blow was delivered by the sledge hammer and Stumpy uttered a last feeble creak and was defeated. The sight of the grey-haired old dear (aka me!) wielding a sledge hammer prompted the gentlemen on the neighbouring plot to offer assistance and I was grateful to be helped to lug Stumpy off the battle field. Thank you, boys! So the way was clear to dig the cleared plot and plant the gooseberry bushes. Three have been struggling in my garden at home next to the privet hedge and have been ravaged by, I think, vine weevils. They have not a single leaf left between them, so a transplant was required. The forth bush was a gift from Judith and Michael when they came to supper recently, rather than chocolates, they arrived with a prime gooseberry bush! How thoughtful! And very much appreciated, thank you, M & J!
Chris
It’s most likely your gooseberries were savaged by gooseberry sawfly caterpillars. They are little green menaces that are easily killed off if you spot them early, but can strip a bush in a few weeks if you let them.
I think you were given a fourth bush, not a forth one.
Derek
Enlighted self-interest, really. Just forward planning for gooseberry crumble next year! Please continue to ensure that nothing untoward is left under the gooseberry bush. We will not be held responsible
Hi,
thanks for the great quality of your blog, each time i come here, i’m amazed.
Well, thank you, hattitude! Most kind! Come to the next Transition Ashtead open meeting – we have an expert on Permaculture speaking, so should be good. Monday 30th November Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall,Ralli room, 8pm.Tell your friends…
Good job! Can’t wait to start my own blog.
Many thanks Julie. What will your blog be about? If you are interested in gardening/growing, come to the next Transition Ashtead open meeting – we have an expert on Permaculture speaking, so should be good. Monday 30th November Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall,Ralli room, 8pm.Tell your friends…
I told Euge about Transition Ashtead earlier and she’s been reading your blog, very impressed…this is my favourite one yet, am sat in the kitchen giggling to myself-was this the desired effect? …x