Spring Time

Spring is here. I actually wore a t-shirt today at the allotment. Didn't think I did much, just a bit of pottering around but judging by the aching muscles now I must have been doing more than I realised. The children have painted a sign for their little flower patch. The daffodils add a lovely bit of springtime yellow.

Put up some canes ready for the runners and planted up some sweet peas.

Happy lettuce.

Happy rhubarb. Happy me. I like the sunshine.

Oh poo.

Have planted out the potatoes (Orla) the manure I put in wasn't very well rotten down and certainly not very crumbly. So if my potatoes die then it's my fault. They have two chances. Time will tell.

I have dug a trench ready for the Asparagus Crowns. The remains of the rhubarb was very hard to get out, it went on for miles. It also seems to be able to survive anything. The bit that I moved has taken off really well and when I opened the compost bin to put in some weeds there was a piece of rhubarb growing out of it, I felt sorry for it and planted it out. Seeing as it had tried so hard to cling onto life. Must be able to survive any treatment, even mine. Lets see if the potatoes are as keen to survive my treatment. If they don't I will have killed them with kindness.

Planted indoors Rudbeckia (Goldilocks Improved), Gaillardia (Arizona Sun), Kale (Dwarf Green Curled), Brussel Sprout (Fillbasket), Brussel Sprout (Red Rubine), Verbena, Sunflower (Moonwalker).

Planted direct at the allotment chives, Leek (Blue Solaise), Leef Beet (Perpetual Spinach), Carrot (Sweet Candle), Lettuce (Webb's Wonderful), Radish (Sparkler) and Beetroot (Boltardy).

Good morning Flash!

Never mind the daffodils and the primroses. Spring is only ever officially here when Flash the tortoise wakes up. Yesterday he tentatively peered out from under his sacks and made his way out of hibernation.

I gave him a warm bath and he looked at me clearly delighted (?). He has now been introduced to his brand new tortoise house kindly built by Jim, and he seems to like it.

The broad beans are now ready to plant out and the sweet peas are doing well too. It is now officially Spring. Good old Flash, it's always nice to see his grumpy looking face again. He hasn't starting eating anything yet though, you'd think he'd be hungry. He will be pleased to know that the lettuce at the allotment seems to be surviving well so in a few weeks we should have some nice leaves to feed him with.

Onion Time

Have planted some of the onions 'Hercules'.

Given them plenty of protection from the birds who have been pulling out the emerging garlic, they won't get their hands on these babies.

Dug a beautiful trench ready for the potatoes.