Ep93: What's died, what's survived? Plot updates & July garden tour

PART TWO of this week's gardening exploits and there's been some progress in the home garden so we take a little tour and then head to the plot to see what has died and what has survived!
Mentions:
‪@TheFarmyardGarden‬
‪@TheGrowUpChannel‬
‪@myrustygarden‬
Vlog: Gardening with my dog in the home kitchen vegetable garden and our UK allotment plot. I hope you enjoyed this week's video - please do like and subscribe if you did. Thank you for watching 💕😊
You can also find me on Instagram at / dogontheplot 🐶
#allotment #allotmentvlog #garden #gardening #allotmentuk

[@dogontheplot]

Here's the rest of the last batch of filming! What's dying and what's surviving on your plots?

[@ericandrachallotmenteers]

I was last week 😫🤧 Brassicas doing fab though 😜

[@Tanmicmak]

Cant you put in a pond? The frogs and newts at my allotment really help keep the slug and snail damage to a minimum...unlike in my home garden where slugs are running the show this year.

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

Oh my… the slugs. They’re relentless. I can’t believe they took out that large patty pan either. I’m so sorry you’re being so testing this year. However.. on the flipside…. The dahlia bed looks amazing. Well done! The Oca too and your tomatoes…. All amazing.. and the tenderstem broccoli too. That looks better than mine. 🤗. Nature has a good way of reminding us there’s positives amongst the despair and you are so good at seeing the positives ❤

[@dogontheplot]

I think it's easier when you can just blame the weather and slugs and be totally confident that it was not your fault! 👀🤣

[@debbiegibson6113]

I bought wire trash baskets. Bathroom size and they work marvelously well. Just flip upside down and put over top plants. No damage at all! They work so well I went and bought 10 more.

[@dogontheplot]

Well Debbie you were the inspiration for the produce bags!! After your comment last month I went down a rabbit hole of looking at laundry bags and then it occurred to me I had a few produce bags in the cupboard - I tried them and then everytime I was at the supermarket I bought a few more - now I have probably a hundred!!! I meant to credit you in the video. Thank you for the inspiration 💕 - I'm now also on the look out for wire trash baskets - if I see some going cheap they're coming home!!

[@BumblebeeAdventure]

growing snails this year!! they doing amazing!! 🤣🐝thanks for the great video🌻

[@dogontheplot]

🤣🤣 definitely my best crop this year

[@annfarrell528]

love the roses! i've just popped my last cucumbers from the window ledge into the garden tonight and i just hope they haven't been slugged by the morning!

[@dogontheplot]

Keeping my fingers crossed for your cucs! I'm doing a gherkin one - Goblin - that said it was an outdoor - slugged. I've put out two more now and so far they're looking good...

[@WendyL63]

Hi Kerry, you're still my favourite 😊 thanks for posting ❤❤🐕

[@dogontheplot]

Aw 🥰🥰🥰

[@Feelgoodgardens]

Fab update Kerry ❤ Tomatoes are doing amazing and your Oca. Love your home garden and especially your bew flower bed area. Those lamps and bird bath are really lovely 😍 xxx

[@dogontheplot]

Aw thank you Linda. I finally worked out how to actually switch the lamps on 😂 and they are a flickering flame type light - very cool 😎

[@debbiegibson6113]

We have a store called Dollar Store. It's $1.25 for everything in the store. After the plants get to big for the wire baskets I buy laundry bags there. I put 3 poles to create the cage with and drop the bag over top. I use your idea, place little bottles on top of the poles to keep from poking holes in the bags. My garden is so funny looking with baskets, white mesh bags, etc.. but things are growing without slugs, snails and birds eating things. Luv your vlog.

[@dogontheplot]

Yes, my plot is looking funny too, but I kind of like that 🤣

[@ninemoonplanet]

I used some old copper wire with each end or portion attached to something metal like steel. What that does is generate a very mild electrical charge along the copper. Unfortunately the wire needs to be held off the ground or, yes, it "grounds out". I have raised bed with wooden sides, put the copper along the top, extended to metal corner braces. I usually have slugs in that bed, but haven't since I added the copper. I push all my soil to the edges and compact it all around because I noticed little holes where I think the slugs hide during the day.

[@dogontheplot]

Is that copper tape you've put around the top of the raised beds?

[@amandar7719]

Thank you for the tours. You have some really interesting plants. Garlic kale? Amongst others. I love your new dahlia/herb area with the lanterns and bird bath. Toms look great! Honestly…. Us gardeners always seem to have a permanent area of potted up seedlings throughout the year. You win the prize for the prettiest slug damaged allotment plot!!! 😅 Seriously, though. Your show and tell on sourdough starter to catch slugs is the best tip I’ve ever used! I used to use loads of yeast water or beer to catch them but now just feed the starter every couple of days in situ with some out of date flour I keep in a mini green waste bin. Under an upturned bucket so they’re waiting for me to dispose of. Think I’ve already mentioned on one of your posts that I caught loads of huge ones to start with. Much smaller now and it’s made a huge difference. Not with the carrots though. And…… it’s raining again! You’re right about 2024 being the year of the berries.

[@dogontheplot]

LOVE this comment! And I will happily take that prize!!! 🤣 So glad the sourdough trick has been working for you. Yes, carrots have been a nightmare this year - what the slugs didn't get I seem to have destroyed through my own ineptitude. I think year of the berries sounds a lot nicer than year of the slugs! 🤣 Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment 🤗

[@myrustygarden]

Now I think Digwell uses Grazers and he swears by it. Yes I remember Liz Zorab saying up to 6’ down 😮😮😮. WOW such a shame about the beans 🫘, mine are definitely not as productive as last year but then nothing is. Sorry to say but I think I’d have given up and done some mass prepping for winter sowing. Your fortitude and determination is stellar 💪💪 and inspiring. Have a super day Kerry keep up the great work, Ali part 2 😂

[@dogontheplot]

Kerry part 2: ah bless you Ali, I'm sure it's just blind optimism and ignorance 🤣 anything I get will be a win, that's how I'm trying to see it!

[@debradevine3949]

Those doggone slugs! Thank goodness you sowed quite a few extras in your garden planning. Your home garden looks all spruced up now with the pruning and new plantings. The squirrel bird bath is adorable. I love squirrels. They can reek havoc in a garden bed storing their nuts. Thank you sharing your gardens.

[@dogontheplot]

I just want more and more water features in the garden now! My pond actually has a waterfall, but it was leaking somewhere along the pipe so I had to give up on it. This warm spell means the slugs are taking a break and BOY am I pleased about that!!!

[@kazjohns]

Enjoyable update and admire your determination on the slug front. I think the trick with Grazers is to be consistent with regular spraying, I think the effect is short lived, particularly after rain. I’ve used it for Hosta and it worked until I took my eye off the ball😬. 🤞🏻 Fingers crossed you have success with it.

[@dogontheplot]

Ah thank you for the Grazers tip Kaz. It hasn't been rainy this week so I've not sprayed too much, but I think rain is coming tomorrow...

[@RobinGardens]

In the shady boxes...definitely leeks. Maybe purple leaf things...I've seen several videos claiming that the slugs are not favoring purple veg. The home garden is looking fab...love the solar lanterns. So sorry about the beans🥲 Try hand pollinating the squash in bags. q-tips or paint brushes work well.

[@dogontheplot]

I have spare purple sprouting broc, so that could go in... Oh that's a good idea with the squash - although I'm not sure I have the time/patience to take off each bag, hand pollinate, and then put the bags back on! They may have to just fend for themselves from here on out... 🙈🙈

[@RobinGardens]

@@dogontheplot Yup, gotta pick your battles for sure.

[@thewitch69]

lovin the dailyherb bed lol have you tried the copper tape thing I saw seren on her channel cut a big plastic water bottle up to make rings out of them and wrap them in copper tape to put round the bottom of plants and it seemed to work for her

[@dogontheplot]

That's one thing I haven't tried yet because I've heard it doesn't work and also the copper can be detrimental to the plants... Or so my plot neighbours says!

[@thewitch69]

@@dogontheplot oh ok so another urban myth lol oh well

[@kathysumner1443]

Got some slugs last night didn't think am going to have flowers around my tomatoes as all got eaten.

[@dogontheplot]

Yeh my marigolds all got eaten - sigh. But I guess that's kind of their job... but I wanted the flowers!

[@maryobrien5568]

I garden in the cool wet West of Scotland, which is slug heaven. I usually look on in envy at youtube gardeners from sunnier climes, but this year everyone seems to have had a start to the year like mine. Greek Gigantes always seem to fend off the slugs, and purple beans also do not quite well. I grow Coco di Sophie in my greenhouse as outdoors, rather than form drying beans on the vine, they tend to rot with all the rain. I like your bag idea...I may give that a go. I don't really like plastic in the garden, but I do find the slug collars are wuite effective. I now grow a lot of perennial vegetables and have become a bit obsessed with them. They are so much more resilient and come up with no effort at all. It means that if my other crops fail then I always have something to harvest. With our climate getting more chaotic I really think they are the way to go.

[@dogontheplot]

I'm also feeling the need to move towards more perennials. Takes the pressure off too! There are certain annuals I couldn't be without - tomatoes for instance! - but for brassicas it would be nice to move to perennials. I love the fruit trees and bushes too.

[@debradevine3949]

Earwigs here instead of those slugs. I purchased a plastic pot to make a water feature and the thing leaked at the seams. Finally came across a couple of oil pans and filled them with water, fountain and water cabbage. It is small but who doesn't like the sound of moving water. Are you going to paint your squirrels?

[@dogontheplot]

Earwigs here too - making homes in my chillis!! I tried to put my little solar fountain in the bird bath but it didn't fit. No I like them just in the stone I think.

[@dustyflats3832]

Your tomatoes look sooo much better than mine. Never had such a bad year for them and it’s because of too much rain. We are 11” above avg for this time of year. SIGH! Peas 😡 have you ever sowed seeds and thought you seen them pop up, then a few days later you wonder if they ever came up because there are less than the last time? I think the gophers returned and last year baby rabbits could fit through fence. I have such a time with peas and lettuce. This year has been the worst mosquitoes ever in Wisconsin, US. I was just out in full coverage including head net. The dew points are so high that the head net gets moisture buildup and with glasses and sun behind beans-oh heck! I couldn’t see a thing. I have to get brave and get back out to tie up peppers and others ahead of storms. Real success in corn, potatoes, onions, watermelon and garlic. It takes forever for beets and carrots are coming along. Looks like your garden is doing well. Loads of fruit! Your pup looked like a statue 😅. I think I have slug problem in clay bed on new fall cauliflower seedlings.

[@dogontheplot]

Thank god for the tomatoes- I think if they'd been a disaster too I might have been giving up!! I'm sorry to hear yours aren't performing. Is there still time for them in WI? - I was BRUTAL to my tomatoes last year and I still got lots towards the end of the season. Sounds like you've got lots to harvest though and its all a lesson of acceptance - nature gonna do what nature gonna do!

[@dustyflats3832]

@@dogontheplot there is only time for what is on them really. First frost could be anywhere from 9/15 to ? Because our winters are increasing in heat. The nights can get cold and of course less sun in fall, but last year the temps from Halloween to Christmas increased dramatically! I was potting up a plant in rain on Christmas.😵‍💫 Yes, thankfully we have a few things, but as most know tomatoes sort of round out the whole shabang at least for us. Oh, and talking about throwing in the towel, I don’t think I could continue if we will have this much rain and mosquitoes in the future. I just came in to cool down and I’m soaked from dressing like it’s freezing outside. I’m miserable.😩 When you have to use binoculars to see a new to me cup n saucer vine bloom-it’s bad.

[@dogontheplot]

@@dustyflats3832 oh I feel your pain - it sounds really dire! Yeh, if it becomes miserable then it's time to reassess I guess. Houseplants? And agree - tomatoes are the heart of the harvest ❤️

[@KristinODonnell]

15:48 We should do a dahlia swap. This year I planted Penhill Watermelon, which is a stunner (think cafe au lait shape, but pink and orange. It would look fabulous with the one at 15.48 (is it Totally Tangerine?).

[@dogontheplot]

Yes totally tangerine! I have some cafe au lait but no sign as yet... Penhill Watermelon is gorgeous - defo be up for swapsies

[@ericandrachallotmenteers]

Hey Kerry. So I spoke to a guy who's right into tomatoes. He doesn't trim his at all! 😮 I'm hoping to meet up with him soon so will ask him loads of stuff 😂 Hanging basket supports. The new way to allow the birds to sit and eat 😂😂 I'd put More carrots in 😍🥕🥕 You just have so much growing in the garden, it's amazing 🫶🏽💚

[@dogontheplot]

I'm not trimming my outdoor toms all that much because they have space, but there's no way I couldn't trim in the greenhouse with that many toms in that small a space. Sigh - MORE carrots for the slugs?? 🙈🤣

[@ericandrachallotmenteers]

@@dogontheplot slugs never bothered my carrots 🫣

[@Ragt0p]

Oh, I’m sorry! My stomach turns with sympathy every time I see a slugged vegetable. It must be disheartening. Luckily, I haven’t had much slug damage this year. We have small, centimeter sized ones hanging out. But they seem not too hungry. Plus I have at least six huge leopard slugs on patrol, they seem to defend the garden. And only interested in decomposing leaves so far. I’m pleased that most crops are doing fine. Getting quite a few tomatoes and chilis, strawberries petering out, all garlics are up. Carrots have sprouted in the garlic bed, so I have even managed to succession sow one bed this year 😆 The only very sorry crop is Kalvedon wonder peas. The plants were doing fine, but the crows have been feasting every night. Now all pods are ripped open and empty. Well, I guess I’ll give them more protection next year 🤷‍♀️

[@dogontheplot]

I need to look out for the leopard slugs and pop them in the dahlia bed!! Yes, peas haven't done well for me either this year which is so disheartening when the guttering worked so well. I'm waiting on the tomatoes, impatiently! Still getting a few strawberries. Counting every small harvest as a blessing!

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

Wonderful tour. Always a joy to follow your gardening journey. I can’t get your ‘cousin’ out of my head. Maybe they could do a garden tour with you at some point. Just to get their take. 😉😂❤️🥂

[@dogontheplot]

She features briefly in the next vid 🤣

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

Wonderful!! 😂😂👍❤️🥂

[@trold1969]

Looks like Dorie is helping you prune some bushes and peas? She's not even sneaky about it. My dog Leni harvested a tomato while I was busy washing lettuce for dinner. I came out and saw her crawling under the bench for a half eaten tomato. She can't be trusted with them alone now as they are ripening. Apart from a few aphids, caterpillars and leaf miners, she's my worst pest. 😅She will eat any food I grow except for lettuce and spinach. Lol, love the scary squirrel bird bath! And thanks for the close ups of slug slime! You're keeping it real, that's for sure.

[@dogontheplot]

Totally blatant 🤣 Tbf I think it is just the grass she's eating - which she is welcome to. Dorie likes kale stalks, peas, carrots - I've never seen her eat a tomato... that;s the last thing I need 🤣 Haha - slug slime, munching on blackberries while chatting away - it is all unfiltered! 🤣

[@anitahaywood9827]

I now know 100% im doing the right thing giving up my plot, i had a watermelon and MMM all with fruit on and the dam rats have munched them to a stub, i could have cried when i saw the watermelon, or rather didnt. So frustrating! Just ordered another metal raised bed for home 😂

[@dogontheplot]

I'm not sure I'll be eating much from my own growing spaces tbh! Altho it's surprising when you're pushed... I don't actually think my outdoor melons will produce but maybe I'll get nice foliage on the tent poles 🤣

[@bewoodford2807]

Hi Kerry. I bought Grazers a couple of years ago to protect my Hostas- sadly it didn't work. Good luck with yours. Your garden is looking great. Love the new dahlia/herb bed. It ll looks very smart at the top end of your garden. The slate edging is a fab idea. It certainly has beena tough year with the slugs. I have put mini plastic cloches over my french benans which were getting esten. They seem to be protected by those. I have sown new seed in the spaces where they were initially eaten before I protected them. My pumpkins are very slow this year- I planted them out late as t was too cold to put them out. I followed your tip for the bags on my plums as the birds/wasps always get them before me! Happy gardening 🙂

[@dogontheplot]

So far so good with the grazers but that may just be because the weather has improved and it's not the right conditions for the slugs now. What a year hey! Thanks for watching Be and good luck with your plums 🤞

[@bewoodford2807]

@@dogontheplot Cheer\ Kerry 🙂

[@helenagreenwood2305]

My grandson was helping me in the garden last week - he proudly showed me 2 massive snails one in each hand 🥴 look nan look 🐌🐌😆

[@dogontheplot]

Haha he'd be handy on the evening slug hunt!!

[@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm]

Hello Kerry, Really fun video. I do like to see everyone's failures and what they do about them. We all have failures and those with less experience can say that's what happened to mine also. Then they get to see your intervention so they have something they can try themselves. I am wondering about the beans have you tried starting them and transplant when they are a bit stronger? Or maybe that does not help? This year all my pole beans are in hanging baskets and planters screwed to my upper deck. They are flowering now should have beans soon. I do have to water them almost everyday but that is easy with my morning coffee on the deck anyway. The other thing is they want to climb up so I wait until they have some weight I can unwrap them and let them hang once heavy enough they stop trying to grow up. The best part is walking on the ground with a bowel in one hand and scissors in the other. Snipping them off into the bowl as I go no bending or weeding. I do not know anyone else that does this. All my bush beans I grow in large grow bags with a cage over them because the bunnies will eat the entire plant right to the dirt. You have done a fabulous job wins losses success and failure all adds up to be the 2024 garden in its splendor. Thank you for sharing this I do look forward to your updates as they come out. Peace and blessing Cya next thyme, Steven

[@dogontheplot]

Always love your comments Steven. Your bean idea sounds brilliant - inspired!! Trying to think how I could work that... It'll be interesting to look back on this year come Winter and take stock. The main lesson of course is acceptance - it is what it is and nature will do what nature will do!

[@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm]

@@dogontheplot I will have to find a way to send you some pictures

[@dogontheplot]

@@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm my email is [e-mail] or I'm on Instagram

[@myrustygarden]

It’s a tomato jungle 😂, I believe all leaves below the first trusses can be removed. I used baskets for my pots to try and protect the spring bulbs. I think a few good parsnips for Christmas dinner is a bonus. Garden is looking fantastic Kerry 🎉 you really have done a wonderful job with it all. Watching the plot tour now, Ali

[@dogontheplot]

Maybe even enough to make a parsnip soup! Thank you Ali ❤️

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

Champagne saucer on a Saturday evening. Go Kerry! 😂😂❤️🥂

[@dogontheplot]

Of course! I mean it didn't have champagne in it - co-op bargain sauvignon - but it's all gravy 👍❤️

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

A Sauvignon is hard to beat. 👍❤️🥂