Competing with moles

When we first took the allotment on  4 years ago we soon became aware that there was a mole on the plot. As well as finding little piles of soil around the plot we also saw the earth moving.  That was quite weird.  Most of the time  the piles of soil were at the edges of paths and next to the shed so we weren't too bothered.  But the mole has now decided to take over one of the big beds where this year I have been growing onions.

I often used to find soft spots in the bed as I was planting or weeding and sometimes there would be a mole hill, but never any damage to plants. This year I have been growing onions in the bed and 

soon  after I planted them I found some of them had been disturbed by the mole. After a while I decided to admit defeat as more mole hills appeared in the bed. I thought that was the end of the onions. But remarkably they seem to have survived and they have been swelling nicely the last few weeks.

This week I have planted the first lot of leeks. I always plant one lot at this time and another lot after the onions have been lifted. The first lot are usually ready for harvesting in the autumn and the others are ready after Christmas.

I always enjoy planting leeks, making a hole with the dibber, popping in the leek seedling and then topping up the hole with water. This year though it has been quite a challenge as the bed is now riddled with underground mole tracks and the ground is quite soft in places. Some of the planting holes must have gone down a long way underground as when I topped up with water the water just went down and down and down. I wonder how the mole felt about having his home flooded!  One leek seedling disappeared underground with the water. Well despite all the mole holes I still managed to plant the leeks, carefully choosing firmer ground. I just hope they don't get dug up.

Through the garden gate--June

June was a busy month for us as we moved house. No time for gardening, but now I am getting settled in our new house I am gradually starting on the garden.

So maybe you need a tour of our new garden. The front and side gardens are quite pretty and have been well maintained. There are shrubs and a few flowers. In the front garden by the front door is a hydrangea.  There are lots of flower heads yet to open. I am waiting to see what colour they are.

There is a giant scabious in the border which I have been cutting to bring in the house and add to my shop bought flowers. I don't normally buy flowers, I have always had enough to cut from the garden, so I will have to get planting so that next year I will have plants for cutting.

We brought lots of plants from our other house and I have the chance to go back for cuttings as our daughter now lives in our previous house. This could take some time though. I would like to plant up the front garden with more flowers to give it a more cottage garden look. 

One plant I have not been able to identify is this. It smells lovely and I am wondering if it is ginger mint

The back of our new house needs some work doing. It is just a lawn and it slopes. But we have plans, it is a project we will be working on for some time.

Holly the cat is settling into her new home and enjoys sitting at the kitchen door looking out at her new territory.

This monthly 'Through the garden gate' post  is hosted by Sarah at Down by the Sea