There is no doubt that March 2018 has been cold. Not only did we have the second heavy snows of the season at the start of the month but, there was another dump of snow on the 18th of March! Luckily it didn't hang around too long. (Pic - 18th March and more snow).
On Saturday 24th there was sun at last; this gave me chance to get on the plot and do some long overdue jobs. The first was to clear the Winter brassicas from my old plot #10 to make room for new owners. There were a couple of kale plants and a few old Winter cabbages that got spread amongst the hens on the site. I also picked the best of the remaining Brussels sprouts and composted the rest - there's a few leeks left which I'll go through, moving and heeling in a few of the best and composting the remainder. (Pic - last of the Bosworth F1 Brussels sprouts - a bit tatty now but fine to eat).
The sprouts did well despite being attacked, for the first time, by pigeons in November. I had to net them for the Winter season and they went on to grow well. I've sown Bosworth F1 again this year, they can be picked from late October to the end of March and they stay tight without 'blowing' open. Highly recommended. (Pic - my former plot #10 cleared of Winter brassicas).
I decided to have a peep under the covers where my early potatoes are going to be planted. The plastic covers have done an excellent job; so despite the rain and snow over the past few months the ground looked workable. I rolled up the plastic, fired up the tiller and gave the ground a quick turnover though it really didn't need it for planting potatoes as it was brilliant.
The clocks went forward today (25th) and once again the sun was out. Despite the forecast saying things might get a bit wet and cold this coming week, I decided to get my Rocket early spuds in. Like every year at this time, I will have to keep an eye out for the tender shoots and ensure that the soil is mounded up over them especially if a frost is forecast. As earlies require less planting distance I managed to get four rows of seven in a third of the bed - the rest of the space will be taken up with three rows of main crop in about three weeks time. (Pic - early potatoes go in 4 rows of 7 tubers).
I experimented last year with non-trenching, i.e just digging a hole and adding the tuber and a little fertiliser then back filling. (So much easier on my back!). To be honest, I didn't notice any difference in the harvest. I did this with my main crop spuds and not the earlies so I'll see if this method produces the same results for my Rocket. I haven't mounded over the top after planting this year either, I have decided to start earthing up when I see the shoots; to do it gradually and in stages.
The broad beans and brassicas I sowed in my last post have germinated. I've moved them from the heated propagator and have stuck them on the greenhouse. Again, I will have to watch the weather forecast for frost and protect them if needed. I've potted on my tomatoes and sweet peppers but as they are very tender, they are still on the windowsill in the house.
That's it really, I've finally taken advantage of a weather window to get some things done on the plot. Fingers crossed for some better weather! Bye for now.
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