2016 here we come!

Very belatedly here's an overview of work on the allotment so far this year.

Most preparation of the ground has been done at the allotment although the soil is very heavy in places after regular periods of heavy rain.  Linda and I also have a plan for most parts of the plot so we'll try to stick to that as the year progresses.

First things into the plot - today, 6th April - were 8 x Arran Pilot First Early potatoes and 10 x Swift First Early potatoes.  8 to 12 weeks from now we should see some lovely new potatoes - fingers crossed. The remaining 16 x Charlotte potatoes will be planted within the next two weeks, weather permitting.

In the cold frame I have planted 15 Sutton broad beans which should be germinating any time now.  In the greenhouse there are some Gardeners Delight tomato seedlings which were germinated in our own heated propagator, along with some chilli seedlings.

In the greenhouse we have red onion sets planted up in small pots to give them a protected head start before putting them in the soil.

Also in the greenhouse, two types of sweet peas are just germinating, as are some sunflowers.  The brassica plug plants from DT Brown's are all thriving having been potted on in the greenhouse: 10 x Broccolli Stromboli, 10 x Cabbage Regency, 10 x Cauliflower Helsinki. Using deep beds and lime in the soil preparation, and covered with enviromesh I'll do my best to produce reasonable crops although good cauliflowers would be a super bonus! 4 x Romanesco green courgettes and 4 x yellow courgette seeds are also in the greenhouse and should germinate within the next 10 days.