Sunday 31st March 2019

I have now planted a row of 10 Arran Pilot First Early potatoes, and 10 Charlotte approximately a week later. There are still 30 more Charlottes to plant so I might wait until I'm back from Sweden (from Tuesday 8th April onwards) to plant more potatoes and increase chances of a succession.

The 12 raspberry canes (Polka) from Thompson & Morgan are now planted towards the rear of the plot in a section previously devoted to fruit canes. They get great reviews so we're looking forward to Autumn fruit.

The plum tree and apple tree are covered in blossom so hopefully will provide more good fruit later in the year. The plum tree split under the weight of fruit last year and I had to remove a major branch, so it is to be hoped that the tree remains healthy and strong this year,

I have also planted 10 shallot sets in a deep bed, and 10 strawberry plants, thanks to Kay & Mick's donation.

The central section of the plot is now two thirds dug over so that should significantly increase what we can grow this year. It might be a good idea to put some of the remaining potatoes there to help break up the soil.

In the greenhouse things look good: broad beans in pots are all growing well, as are the sweet peas in the root trainers. The leeks and White Chard look healthy and the salad leaf is slowly growing away. Perhaps because night time temperatures are still likely to drop quite low, the potted on tomatoes and chillies are growing quite slowly but all look healthy so I'm hopeful they'll soon start to pick up.

I made the first sowings into pots of yellow courgettes (Gold Mine) and green (Romanesco, actually bought in Sorrento last year!) so will keep an eye on them and hope I wasn't too quick off the mark.

For sure, this year Spring seems to have arrived far earlier than last year, and long may it, and Summer, last!

More seeds for the greenhouse in modules

Although the temperatures have significantly dropped since the February 'heatwave' I think it's safe to plant both Chard and nasturtium seeds in compost in modules and hope they'll germinate in the greenhouse satisfactorily.

The tomato seeds in the propagator germinated within a week (not so the chillis but I think they generally take a fortnight anyway) so had to be moved to a spot with more even, less one-directional light. Plugged in to the conservatory socket in the corner looks like it should work OK and hopefully it won't be necessary to make any further sowings.

The sweet pea seeds are 'chitting' in a sealed plastic container on damp kitchen towel (as advised on the T&M website) on the front room window sill. Once they've sprouted I'll plant them in trainer modules and try to keep them in reasonable warmth for a while. 

First post of 2019!

After using a notebook for most of last year, I'll try a little blogging about the allotment as well for 2019.

In an especially warm and dry spell in early February, it was ideal to make some serious headway with preparing the plot for the new season.

I managed to prepare all our existing raised beds, leaving some leeks in place and still harvest-able for the next 3 or 4 weeks.  I also managed to clear and dig over the entire part under the framework close to the path, and also do a final pruning of the two vines. After last year's great harvest, and eventual grape jelly, I'm hopeful again for more lovely grapes but still wondering whether to add one or two more seedless plants.

I've also prepared the whole patch towards the rear of the plant in front of the shed so that will be fine for planting potatoes from 1st April onwards.   We already have 40 Charlotte (waxy salad potatoes) and 10 Arran Pilot (First Early waxy variety) chitting, and 10 shallot bulbs in the conservatory.

The central area of the plot is most in need of attention but at least it is largely covered by weed suppressing material. However, I really need to make sure it is completely cultivable before too long.

In trays in a propagator in the lounge I planted some Gardeners Delight tomato seeds and some Italian chilli seeds, so will keep an eye on those until germination and try to make sure they don't become too straggly.

In trays in the greenhouse I have planted leeks and mixed Italian salad leaves. In pots I put around 18 The Sutton broad beans to try to give them a head start before eventual planting out.

We have ordered 12 raspberry canes - Polka, an Autumn fruiting variety - as a start in the revamp of the raspberry crop and I have almost completed a fresh planting bed for them towards the rear of the plot but not in too dense shade.

I am taking part in a project related to links between food banks and donations of fresh fruit and vegetables to them, and have already had an interesting introductory chat with the project manager Dr Richard Wiltshire.