The Experiment (3)

Was asked on the forums this morning how the carrots were going, so here's an excuse to put a photo in the boring text.

Slow at the moment is the answer, but at least they look healthy and are surviving! Here's to the warmer weather.

My pre-ordered seed spuds are ready for collection, so hopefully in the couple of days we'll collect all 288 of them!

Itchy Fingers (2)!

Thought I'd try a few leeks earlier than I normally do. Mine go in about March usually, using the world renowned cat litter trays. (Well they're renowned on http://www.allotment.org.uk anyway!).

Someone not errr unconnected with that site was kind enough to send me some seeds, one of which was a packet of Carlton F1 Leeks. There's not too many in the packet, (44 as it turned out to be), which is ideal, so I've popped them in a small seed tray.

As it's still quite cold, I've go against my usual principles of germinating this type of seed indoors and I'll pop them in one of our cooler rooms until they show themselves, then it's the greenhouse for them!

Next time I make an entry I'll try & put a photo up, otherwise this is going to get a bit dull with just text, but as last time, I don't see the point of a picture of a seed tray with nothing in it.

So you'll have to bear with me, as I'm hopefully keeping this up as a diary for my own benefit, something I've never managed to do before!

Early Sowings

Itchy fingers time!

Trying an early start with some cauliflower in an attempt to get a head start before the club root.

Sowed 20 of each "Nautilus F1" and "Clapton F1", the latter supposedly being club root resistant. Whilst at it came across the tail end of a packet of "Greyhound" cabbage, so in they went as well.

Also discovered in the tin the other day a couple of packets of "Hi Keeper F1" winter onions that I'd totally forgotten about. It says they're OK for spring sowing - so nothing ventured & all that..... in they went as well.

Couldn't get any "Ambo" spuds from my local source this year, (my most successful spuds last year), so I've been rummaging through the sack to find some small ones to use as my own seed to make a row.

As I didn't get many small ones, I've had to sacrifice some of the medium sized spuds, but hopefully it'll be worth it.

No photo this time, seed trays with just compost in and dormant seed spuds are not very photogenic!

The Experiment (2)

Further to my previous posting about the over-winter carrots, noticed this morning that the true leaves are now appearing. Had also noticed a couple of days ago, a slug trail in one of the pots. Pleased to report that the precautions taken have resulted in one massive, but very dead slug.

Sunday Dinner

Popped down the plot for some veg for Sunday dinner. Got some purple sprouting broccoli about 3 months early, swede & carrots for a root veg mash and needed a parsnip to go with it.

First one came up - too good for today for 2 people - set aside for Christmas, next one came up, also too large, so I'll give that to the lady who gives me the horse muck, next one up was only slightly smaller, but got to stop digging somewhere.

All lined up for a photo shoot with one of my smelly trainers. Weigh over 8 lbs between them.

Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb......

The rhubarb on Mrs. Digger's plot is early every year. This year is not exception, apart from the fact that it's BLOOMING early. It'll get a bit of a shock come a sharp frost or two.

I've no idea of the variety, it came with the territory, but we're the first ones on our site to have rhubarb crumble each year!

Today's Pickin's

Ventured up to the plot despite today's freezing temps, as we were getting low on the already harvested stuff. As three generations were here for dinner today, I thought I'd better make the effort.

Along with the leeks and carrots, these two beauties jumped into my carrier bags. (Dear Santa, can I have a trug for Christmas?).