23/02/2025
As always it feels as though Winter has dribbled on for far too long. Last year was really wet, this year ridiculously cold, both options making any attempt to prepare for Spring nigh on impossible.
But there are signs of temperatures gradually rising over the next few weeks so I have a chance to catch up with all the outstanding tasks on the Allotment.
In the meantime I’ve sorted out existing seeds and ordered others. Some well-known growers are very expensive and don’t give you many seeds per pack. I’ve found others like Franchi have more unusual varieties and give you loads of seed per packet.
Some seeds need to be to planted early indoors: Tomatoes, Aubergines, Chilli Peppers, Melons and Cucumbers all have quite long growing cycles so need to be started now then moved to the Greenhouse, once Spring temperatures settle in. So have sorted out the seeds to be planted and just need to find some labelling sticks before I start the planting.
A couple of years’ ago I had really good year growing Sweet Potatoes, last year not so good and buying the ‘Slips’ for planting is expensive so am trying to grow some of my own. Sounds reasonably straightforward. You need a clear plastic box, good growing compost, water well and lay out the sweet potatoes pushing gently into compost, lid just laid on top and wait for them to sprout. We’ll see.
