March 2008

Early March

Signs of spring at last! Well, kind of. It's an exciting time out on the allotment but hard work too. Last year was my first year out on the plot and I managed to dig it all over and set up a 'bed' system.

That decision has proved to be a good one. As I haven't been treading on the beds and compacting the soil, digging was significantly easier. In fact, the plot only took a few hours over two Saturdays to sort out. I've kept covers on most of the plot too, stopping weeds from seeding everywhere.

I've dug all the beds, except the one with my winter veg in which is being cleared slowly as I eat it. I've limed the beds which will receive my brassicas and have added a good top dressing of a general purpose organic fertilizer.

I've sown brassica seeds, Cabbage (red and white), cauli's and broccoli too. My cabbages did very well last year but the 'difficult' cauli's weren't up to much, I'll give them less allotment space this year but will try once more. I've also sown two types of sprouts Evesham and Trafalgar F1 (for a full list see January's entry). Lettuce has also been sown, both an iceberg type 'Webbs Wonderful' and a small variety called 'Tom Thumb' that is ideal for small patches of ground and, for when a whole lettuce isn't required.

Late March

The traditional potato planting day is Good Friday but Easter is early this year. However, as my spuds had 'chitted' so madly, some with green leaves beginning to develop, I thought it best to plant them. Especially as my wife said she would mash them for tea if I didn't get them out of the house! Anyway, in they went in the last week of March along with some garlic that likes the cold to get them underway.

There was typical weird spring weather, seeds sprouting in the modules on the window sills while sleet and snow flurries swirled around outside. That's the trouble with being too eager with vulnerable crops outside, a bit of cold and it's all over.

See you next month when April should see most things at least sown in doors.