More sowing

I went up and sowed a second row of parsnips, this time interspersed with mixed radish. I also planted a half row of Beetroot [Red Ace] and half of carrot [Resistafly]. It will be interesting to see how they do since this year they will not be near the onions(as per). I also dug over the area where the original compost pile was. Mark is hoping to plant sugar snap peas here. Watch this space...

So much to do!

As we approach the end of April I feel that the allotment is on schedule but one decent rainfall and the weeds will take off. Over Easter R and I managed to get both sets of onions in the bottom patch of ground which was mostly covered in plastic for two years. The red onions [Hyred] are at the top and the golden variety[Stuttgarter Stanfield] are towards the shed. I may have planted them too deep, perhaps I should try to expose them {no mini trenches next year}. This week I planted the maincrop potatoes [xxxx], two rows of 10 and one shorter 7 as I have given up on the asparagus apart from one shoot which is battling on. Ialso sowed a short row of parsnips[White Gem], the same variety as last year - they were very successful but I must ensure that I thin effectively and weed relentlessly at the start. I usually intersow with radishes but forgot them until too late.

At home I have sown leeks [Musselburgh] and tomatoes [uckertraube] which have started sprouting on my window sill. The tomatoes are inspired by my success with "volunteer" tomatoes last year which provided delicious cherry tomatoes in September. Those seeds came from my vegetable home compost.

Now I need to get my squashes and beans started at home and start weeding between the strawberries and raspberries. Finally the remaining areas need digging. The Rhubarb is plentiful, using the composter to force the early rhubarb was really successful, it was superb.