Officially Springtime - planting peas, potatoes, parsley, et al

Another Early Spring, and Threats of Drought!

I think I am fairly safe in saying it is now officially springtime. Our clocks reverted to British Summertime on Saturday night.

I’ve just been checking the weather and temperatures around the country today – Bristol – a cloudless sky since early morning with daytime temperature - 17ºC [forecast for 4ºC for tonight]; London - 17º - 19ºC [forecast for 5ºC for tonight]; Newcastle upon Tyne - 19º - 20ºC [forecast for 6ºC for tonight]. It’s interesting that the area which should logically be the coldest is, in fact, the warmest.

Like last spring, we are having very warm temperatures with low rainfalls very early in the year. The birds are well on with nest building and – a reminder to all bird lovers – they do need feeding and a good source of water at this time of year. I am seeing lots of magpies, robins, crows, pigeons, tits, sparrows and dunnocks but, unfortunately, very few blackbirds. I fear the large numbers of magpies around my area have a significant impact on the numbers of blackbirds.

I have been looking back on my blogs from this time last year. Certainly then, I was noticing that spring had come early and birds were already nest-building earlier than this year. However, I didn’t start worrying about the shortage of water until May. This year there is already a lot of concern about the low level of water in our reservoirs [mostly due to low rainfall last year as well as this winter and spring]. Commercial growers are bracing themselves for a disastrous season. The pond at the bottom of our allotment fields is already very low and newly hatched tadpoles are becoming stranded on the fast-drying mudbanks.

As with all weather conditions – which, let’s face it, we can’t alter anyway – there are major positives. I have managed to get a large area of my plot dug over – just a little each day, which will then be ready for later planted crops such as beans, brassicas and salad crops. I must still dig patches for sweetcorn, courgettes and some later plantings of other vegetables.

Autumn sowings of broad beans now have their flowers on and my spring sown crops are growing on well. 

My first sowing of early peas [Little Marvel - Dobies] is well up but are still covered with fleece to keep the pigeons off. I have now sown a second crop [Hurst Green Shaft – Dobies – which were amazingly successful last year but, my frozen supply is now at an end, unfortunately]. I have also covered them to keep mice and birds from the seedbeds – this time with Environmesh.

It is difficult to decide which protective medium is best. Of course fleece is so much cheaper but, although it can be washed, is really only useable for one season. It will protect your crops from pests, birds and frost. However, Environmesh, although so much more expensive, has all the uses of fleece but, is much more durable. I will expect it to last me for many years. The cost is definitely a major consideration but, I’ve been building up my stock by putting it on my Christmas and birthday present lists for several years. My family is very sensible about buying for presents what is really wanted. And, my children, who now each have their own allotments, are more than happy to have essential allotment supplies bought for them on these occasions.

I have several outdoor seed-beds now which are, unfortunately, having to be watered on a regular basis – parsley, spring onions, 2 varieties of sorrel, 2 varieties of carrot, coriander and parsnips. So far, only the spring onions are starting to appear.

In my poly-tunnel, my early potatoes are up, brassicas in seed beds are showing their second true leaves and a bed of Cos lettuce [Winter Gem – Vaila] are growing on well. .I have moved young, potted-up chilli, pepper and tomato plants from my house as they are in desperate need of better light where, I hope, they will not be attacked by a heavy late frost. This year, I am planning that my poly-tunnel will be used for crops which I will use – tomatoes, which I like [no experimental varieties!], chillies [mostly Joe’s Long, though I’m open to more unusual varieties from my daughter] and peppers. This space is limited and precious and I have discovered that, in my area, these crops do not do particularly well outdoors – tomatoes because of blight and the peppers and chillies as it is really, just not sunny enough and warm enough.

The fruit trees are starting to show their blossom and over the next few weeks I expect the display will be spectacular!

Mid March, Springtime! Planting Potatoes

It’s Springtime! Planting Potatoes, etc

Where I come from – Ireland – it is traditional to start planting potato seed from St Patrick’s Day – 17^th March. Of course, other factors must be taken into consideration. Do you live in the north west of the country or the south east? What is the quality of the land? What is the weather like in that particular year?

I come originally, from the north east of Ireland. Excellent farming country, wealthy farmers [although my father had been brought up on a County Down farm, he was not a farmer when I was young] and outstanding production of potatoes. My own farming experience was based in the north west of Ireland, where my husband and I could afford to buy a farm for ourselves. Neither the land nor weather is favourable for vegetable production of any kind. However, every family was self sufficient in potatoes as the method of planting, harvesting and storing gave a good crop every year in spite of the poor conditions. Growing potatoes there taught me much about using the potato crop to ‘till’ the ground for other crops. It also taught me a fear of blight.

Now that I live in south west England, I know that potato blight was not just a potato disease in Ireland in the 19^th century. It’s impact would not have been so significant had it not been the staple food for so many. This fungus is endemic throughout Europe and a similar fungus also affects our tomato crops.

Of course, the warmer and wetter the weather, the greater the likelihood of attacks of blight on our crops, especially on an allotment where the spores are already present and can spread easily, given the right conditions. I always try to plant early and harvest early – so far, gulp! I have managed to avoid this curse, though not on my tomatoes, unfortunately – more later!

Last autumn, November, I had reason to revisit the part of Co Down where I grew up and I was amazed to see many acres of potato crops which had not been lifted – the potato stalks dried on top of the ridges. I guess the farmers there invest so much in this crop that they use strong chemicals to ensure no blight!

That said, we, on our little plots don’t have ploughs, harrows, seeders, ridgers to plant our crops for us. Nor do we use the strong chemicals to protect our crops. We must get out there, when the weather is suitable, and plant our potatoes by hand. And consider how much healthier [and tastier] our potato crops will be

In south west England I believe, the conditions are just about as kind as they can be for growing. Other parts of the south of England might be dryer and warmer and the ground might be lighter and more freely draining but, the downside of that is that it is not so fertile and must be irrigated in dry weather. Already, this year, there are threats of hosepipe bans and the continuing dry weather throughout the south of England is threatening potato crops to shops and supermarkets later in the year. I feel privileged, yet again, that I have the means to grow my own and hopefully, share some with my friends.

While it might be a little early [yes! It is before St Patrick’s Day], I have already planted 4 ridges of early and some Purple Majesty, outdoors. My 1^st earlies [ Vales Emerald, planted in my poly-tunnnel] are already up, have been earthed up and are up through the ridges. I am hopeful of a crop by mid April. The rest of my 1^st earlies – Vales Emerald and Red Duke of York have now been planted. A couple of years ago, I was enthralled by the reports about Purple Majesty potatoes – their anti-oxidant properties, how delicious they were, etc. In 2010 I was unable to buy these potatoes as seed so, resorted to buying them as an eating potato from a supermarket and growing. Although I had not been impressed by them from the supermarket I did love them when I grew them myself. They would boil, mash, roast, chip, salad. What else could you want from a potato and they were delicious – but purple [ and full of anti-oxidants]. Now it seems, these high-in-antioxidants are ‘the business’. We also have Salad Blue [maincrop, which are good in all areas], Vitelotte [maincrop – also good in all areas but minis] and Congo, also mini but highly recommended. I haven’t tried any of these but might try them next year – look at Thompson& Morgan for seed.

My method of planting is the dig a trench – 10 – 12” deep[25-30cm]. Put in a layer of well rotted manure, place the potatoes at intervals [ depending on the crop – earlies – 12”-15”, maincrop 15” – 20”] with the eyes or ‘chits’ [the sprouts’] up. Fill in the trench, being careful to not break any chits on the potatoes and label. You can ‘ridge-up’ later as the sprouts start to show above ground. If you are planting really early, it might be advisable to cover your ridges with fleece to protect from frost. We are, of course, at risk of frost until June. Potatoes are susceptible to frost damage but, I have noticed that, although early sprouting may well be damaged by late frost, the tubers will put out new sprouts. This is likely to give crops of fewer but, larger potatoes.

My white sprouting broccoli is now ‘coming into its own’ and is producing just about as much as I can eat each day. Yet again, along with my leeks, I have enough vegetables from my plot to avoid buying from the shops, although I do regret the end of my potatoes and onions so I now must buy them.

Some year ago, when I first took on my plot I planted out a row of hyacinths from bulbs which had been forced for indoor display. When they had finished flowering, I put the bulbs out on my allotment and didn’t worry too much whether they succeeded or not. Now, each year, I can cut the stems for display at home and how wonderful they are – the perfume hits me each time I walk into my house.

I have moved a few of my potted-on plants to my cold poly-tunnel to see how they will get on. As always providing enough light for propagated plants is a problem. I potted up lots of my tomato plants and took 3 of them to my tunnel as well as a tray of 'hardened-off' lavender. Let's see how they do.

As always I try to engage with the birds around my allotment. Today, when I put out the food [I have 4 different stations] I am thrilled by the number and variety of birds that turn up. Always my robins are there. I know I am in the territory or two separate couples, but maybe three. I also have dunnocks, sparrows and several species of tits and this year, I have seen a couple of wrens. Of course, I can’t ignore the pigeons, crows, gulls and magpies. There is a pair of magpies already building their nest, very noisily, in a tree beside my plot. I think they feel I’m a soft touch! I have seen a couple of blackbirds but, unfortunately, I fear their numbers have decreased, not least, as a result of the increased numbers of magpies who will take their eggs.

Mild Weather, Busy Time on the Allotment!

Mild Weather, Busy March

Of course, it’s always a difficult juggle – trying to germinate seeds with the necessary heat and then providing enough light with enough heat to ensure good growing-on. Our present weather is saying ‘It’s Springtime – weyhey! Let’s get going’. And, I do feel that it might be an early spring. Let’s face it, the last few years have given us rather unpredictable weather and I feel I should take advantage – it might not be so benign later in the year.

Seed sowing in my propagator has been very satisfactory this year and, so far, I’ve managed to remove trays of seedlings successfully to much cooler conditions where they can have more light. Even my precious Chilli seeds, Joe’s Long, have managed the transition. I’m now hoping that two further sowings of pepper seeds will be similarly ‘easy’.

I have promised some friends that I would grow lots of lavender plants for their garden. They have a vision for their garden with strong lavender borders and, rather rashly, I offered to grow the plants for them. So far, I have 4 trays of lavender seedlings, just putting up their first true leaves. I have moved two of the trays into cooler conditions and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Now – here is where I would like some advice. Each year I sow a variety of herb seeds in my propagator, including sage, thyme, basil, rosemary. I have no problem in encouraging the seeds to germinate. However at the first leaf stage I have a problem with ‘damping off’ and lose many or, even most of my seedlings. Lavender has not succumbed to this problem and I have always had enough or more than enough sage plants for my use. The basil has been variable but, thyme has been a disaster – the earlier sowings have always been much better. I know I’m doing something wrong. Probably trying to meet the needs of too many different plants and failing for the herbs but, I would appreciate someone’s advice on this. I eat my way through a huge quantity of herbs and need to replenish frequently!

The work necessary at my plot is just beginning to put a little pressure on me. As always, at this time of year, I feel I should have the work done and, on the other hand, I feel I should hold back. This week, I have sown parsley [Moss Curled], onion [White Lisbon, spring onion] and carrot [Resistafly F1]. I should have sown parsnips and another carrot but, the ground is still very heavy and sticky. I feel it needs a couple of days to dry out before sowing my next crops.

I have some parsnips still left in the ground and some beetroots from last year. I have cooked both of these crops in the last couple of weeks and have found them much too ‘woody’ to be enjoyable to eat so, I will dig them out and compost them. It is a pity that last year’s crop for both of these vegetables became much too large quite early and therefore, not pleasant to eat.

The early potatoes I planted in my poly-tunnel are just starting to show above ground now. In the next couple of days, I will ‘ridge’ them up and will prepare the ground for outdoor planting of my early crops. The rest of my ‘Vales Emerald’ and my ‘Red Duke of York’ [a heritage variety] and both new varieties for me will have to be planted as soon as possible and ‘fleeced’. I will also need to plant my Purple Majesty as soon as possible. Although they are an early maincrop they are putting out very long sprouts which demand planting. I will have to put fleece over them to protect what will, obviously, be early sprouting above ground.

While busy and ‘stressful’ [well, not stressful when compared with the ‘real’ world], this is my favourite time of the year. From now until the end of June must be the best time of the year for me – so full of promise, beauty and joy – I love it!

Early March on the Allotment

Early March on the Allotment

It would be so easy to be seduced by the wonderful spring-like weather we are having at the moment and... I totally am! But really, we are only just out of February.

I have been trying to restrain myself from getting going on my plot too early and, perhaps fortunately, a heavy cold that has made me feel a bit miserable for a week or so, has prevented me from doing more than I might otherwise have done.

This is the first year, perhaps ever, that I am seeing the flowers on my really delightful double-flowered camellia not scorched and brown from frost. I suppose I could have put fleece over the bush each year to protect the blossoms but, that does rather seem to defeat the purpose of the plant. It is now very beautiful. Close to where I live there is an avenue lined on both sides with purple leaved flowering cherries. In spring time they can be absolutely stunning as they come into flower and as I passed them today on my way to my plot I was thrilled to see them just starting to bloom. When they have finished flowering the dark leaves can make the same avenue look quite gloomy and as they are pollarded every other year they don’t always look so spectacular. Hopefully, for the next few weeks they will make everyone who sees them feel joyful.

Some activities are reasonably safe... I think! Today I prepared seed beds for early sowings of some brassicas in my poly-tunnel. I have tried to rein myself in and have sown only a few seeds from each packet. Today, I've sown All Year Round Cauliflower, Cabbage - Golden Acre Primo, both from Dobies and Brussels Sprouts - Seven Hills from the Real Seed Catalogue [it's the first time I have tried these but they are recommended for exposed windy sites - my plot is certainly that although, being in the South West, t is probably not as exposed as some]. Brassica seeds will keep for several years so, it’s a good idea to sow only what you think you will need. Of course, if you are sowing very early you can successionally sow up to the end of April and for many varieties, well after that. Do read the instructions on your packets of seed and take into consideration where you are living and the weather conditions. In my poly tunnel is, I think, pretty safe but, possibly, if this mild weather continues, I could get away with sowing brassicas in outdoor seedbeds. They might be slower to germinate but that’s okay. If you are propagating indoors or in a propagator do make sure they are ‘hardened off’ [gradually reducing the levels of heat...without exposing to harsh frosty conditions, perhaps set them outdoors during the day then take back indoors at night!] before transplanting outdoors.

I did take a tray of propagator induced lettuce seedlings to my poly-tunnel a couple of weeks ago and today, I transplanted a few of them into the enriched compost of my tunnel and watered them well in. Although they were really quite small...second true-leaf stage, hopefully, I will have some early lettuce. This is well worth doing as they are easy to grow and are so expensive to buy. These are Cos, Winter Gem, Vaila, and are really quite hardy. Shortly, I will transplant some of them outside.

Today, I took the fleece covering from my globe artichoke plants. This is the first year I have covered them although all professional advice does recommend this [usually covering with straw for over-wintering]. After last year’s exceptionally harsh winter, when I lost 40% of my plants, I decided I was being just a bit too confident. Several of my allotment neighbours reported 100% loss. My plants are just starting to put on new growth and I felt it was time to divide a couple of them which were becoming a bit too ‘overgrown’ to do well in the coming season. The original artichoke plants will die back as they age and will put out side shoots. These will be fine for a few years but, eventually the plant will start to fail and will need to be replaced. This can be avoided by dividing the root mass. When the side shoots become obvious you can, during the ‘dormant’ months put the spade through the root mass and separate the side shoot from the ‘parent’ plant. This ‘side shoot’ can then be transplanted and will grow successfully as a new plant, removing the need for buying seeds or new plants. When you do this, make sure you take as much of the new root with your new plant as necessary. Several years ago I would complete this process without thinking and had 100% success. However, during the last 2 bitter winters, my propagation methods have had limited success and I am now so much more careful. Nothing beats over-confidence like a bit of failure!

Some very late transplanted and very miserable white-sprouting broccoli plants I bought from Thompson & Morgan [my own had failed as the very dry spring and early summer had prevented transplanting at the correct time and young plants I then bought from T&M were dismayingly dismal, leading me to complain bitterly] have now, actually started to sprout and today, I have brought home my first dishful, not a lot but I hope for increased cropping in the next few weeks.

I’ve also been back to my propagator and have sown two types of basil in pots, some orange scented thyme, Sultana tomatoes [little plum shaped, salad tomatoes which did absolutely brilliantly last year and tasted amazing... I bought my seeds from Dobies ]. I’ve sown pepper seeds and after the success of my chilli seeds, I hope these will be as successful. Last year’s peppers, although they grew and did produce fruit were not, what I would call, successful. The previous year I grew ‘Sweet California’ from a packet of free seeds which were outstanding. However, as we had little heat or sunshine during the growing season last year, the results were disappointing. Really, the impact of the weather conditions can’t be ignored, especially for crops which are not indigenous. My recent sowing was with Corno di Toro Rosso from Dobies. These are long sweet peppers, suitable for salads and cooking. I will sow my ‘bell’ type peppers later.

And, God heavens! the first asparagus spears are appearing... already!

From now on, I guess the year will speed up so, more stuff in the near future.