Catch Up Time

Hmmm - not getting to the plot three weeks on the trot in May is not a good idea. The weeds are taking over. In fact, I am going to have to tell my Scout Leader that we cannot do everything in May to accomodate his interests as it buggers up mine.

I did get my runners in yesterday as they have shot up. Today, I have been preparing ground for sweetcorn, squash, french beans and carrots/spring onions. Later, I shall be sowing carrots and spring onions and probably some beetroot too.

Some photos for yer:


This is my onions set that were set out in April.


Shallots planted out at the same time.

And my first broad bean pods!!!!

Ooh er

Not done much lately. Bit of digging and planting out my last sowing of broad beans. Last weekend was my birthday so was busy dealing with that. Trouble is, not going to get much of the vast amount that needs doing over the next couple of weeks either. I have got a Scouts activity day on Saturday and a Scout Camp next weekend. So the weeds will grow and I shall have loads of half term catching up to do!

Oh, I did sow my runners at the weekend - in rootrainers. I have put the squash that I sowed in 16th April into pots - I started them in cells for the first time and they quickly ran out of room. Anway, they are snug in their pots and in the greenhouse. I also sowed some more (this time straight into pots) - replacing none appearers and the rest - I deliberately undersowed first time round, at the weekend. Tonight, I sowed swede and kohl rabi.

A very short

Just a quick note to say that my Swifts are poking out the soil - hurrah!

Tatties and 'nips

OK, not the right sort of 'nips but I have sown my parsnips. Not saved seed this year as I got a free packet of White Gems with Kitchen garden this week. I was not sure how good my saved seed was going to be this year as I have not stored it very well - never got round to it, so I am looking upon my free gift as a gift from the gardening Gods as it arrived the week I was due to sow. I shall gap fill with the saved seed in three weeks or so.

Also got my last row of tatties in today to and finished preparing a brassica bed. Still loads more to do though.

Frost forecast tonight so tenders bought in from the greenhouse.

Done a Dom

I have sown loads of squash and my cucs - never done it this early before thus the headline. I have not sown all my seeds or all the plants I want (except for cucs if they all germinate and survive) but have treated it as a trial early sowing. If they germinate and survive, then I will still want more of most varieties but I see no harm in this (especially with the summer squash that can be prone to mildew).

Most of my potatoes are now in. I have dug a trench this evening for my final mixed row. I seem to have less of more varieties this year. The seed from the lottie Society was bigger (they have complained when the seed is small) which is a shame as research has shown (and logic in my opinion) makes no difference to final yield - after all the seed's job is done once the haulms break through!

I have prepared a bed for my parsnips which I hope to sow over the weekend. I have planted out my earliest successful sowing of broad beans and peas. I have also started preparing brassica beds and done my first sowing of early carrots (broadcast mixed with compost)

No sign yet of the spuds planted on 14 March - I worry about no-show spuds every year but then they always do. Contrary to my early mumblings though, I am worried that the seed I got from Focus was small and has run out of energy before it got to the surface.

Robins' return

Yesterday I put in a row of Roosters and today a row of red Duke of York. For some reason, it has been very hard work these past two days.

My local robins have been about for the whole winter but today was the first day of the year that I have had close company whilst working. My plot spans the territories of two male robins and both joined me today. Where my potatoes are going this year spans the boundaries between their two territories so there may be handbags in the near future.

Tonight, I have sown two varieties of brussel sprout.

Further to marchin on...

Here's the photos I promised:

Overwintering onions and garlic


Potatoes


Romanescu