Lost Dahlias..........

I was concerned that my Dahlia tubers in the greenhouse had not sent up any new growth so I inspected the tubers and found that they had all rotted. After seeking advice from a fellow a plot holder who incidentally has around 40 years experience growing and showing Dahlias, he told me that he suspected that the tubers had retained a lot of water and that I had not dried them out sufficiently in autumn. All that time and effort wasted as well as the expense of all the paraffin I had to buy through the winter to heat the greenhouse, I could have bought 10 times the amount of new tubers from a garden centre and still have been in profit. At least I can say I have had a go.

Plot 36 Ready.....................

Its been a while since I last updated this blog, its been manic with one thing and another, never seems to be enough hours in the day.
With the exception of a few winter cabbages and cauliflowers still in the ground, plot 36 is now ready to be planted out with this years crops. Now the allotment has had a new delivery of woodchip, the only outstanding job is to finish off the last few paths which hopefully I will complete early next week.














The Cauliflowers are not brilliant but considering the harsh winter we have had they are not that bad












Elsewhere on the plot, the garlic is coming on well, and I should get a good harvest when they are ready. The shallot sets are in. I am growing two types this year "Golden Gourmet" and "Red Sun" both of which were started off in modular trays.
In the greenhouse I have Banana Shallots doing well and will need pricking out soon."Brunswick" & Hispi Cabbages, "Candid Charm" Cauliflower and "Ironman" Calabrese have all been pricked out and potted on and will soon be transferred to the cold frames. Also in the greenhouse I have sown, Tomatoes, Sprouts, Lettuce, Chillis, Cucumbers, Courgettes, and some Summer Squashes.

Worlds Hottest Chilli.....................

Had a couple of hours in the greenhouse this afternoon and managed to sow some seeds. As well as some Aubergines and Gherkins I also sowed some chilli seeds.

I am growing a variety called "Bhut Jolokia" or the "Naga Ghost Chilli" which has been officially recognised as the worlds hottest chilli. Extensively cultivated in the Assam region of India is believed to measure 1.001.304 scoville heat units (SHU) which believe me is "Bloody Hot!" It even comes with a warning on the seed packet which stresses extreme caution when handling and eating.

I am looking forward to try them just to see if the live up to their reputation.

Bad Start To The Day........

Got to the allotment this morning to be greeted by a fellow plot holder bearing bad news. A number of sheds, 5 in total had been broken into during the night. Although all the locks had been forcefully removed and access gained strangely nothing seems to have been taken from any of the sheds.
Checking over my two sheds there seemed to be no signs of any tampering, but I did find my greenhouse door wide open which seemed strange because my heater was on and I don't think I would have left it open myself, but everything seemed to be in its place so I am thinking it must have been a senior moment on my part.
After standing around talking for about an hour I thought it was about time I got some work done. I had arranged to use the allotments rotavator on the rear of plot 36, but before I could use it it needed a bit of a service as it wouldn't start due to standing idle for many months. But after the spark plug was cleaned, fresh motor oil added and the tank filled with petrol it went like a dream and I soon had the job done.

Getting Warmer................

Although we have had some severe overnight frosts the daytime weather has been changing for the better, which has given me a chance to get to the plot and get some jobs done. The ground has been too frozen to do any major digging in the mornings but by the afternoon I have been able to get my fork in and do a bit.

I gave the shallot beds a final dressing of "Growmore"which I raked into the soil, and although the beds are now ready, I intend to wait a couple more weeks before I plant them out, so as to allow the ground to warm up a wee bit.

I made the decision to dig up the last of my parsnips at the weekend. I could have left them in for a few more weeks, but I wanted to clear the bed and get it prepared for the big plant out which is just around the corner.

Things are happening in the greenhouse which is starting to fill up. I have pricked out my onions which I started from seed, Kelsae, Bedfordshire Champion and Red Barron have all been potted on into 3" pots, the pot & blanch leeks are coming on well as is my broccoli and cauliflowers.
I concerned that my Dahlia tubers don't seem to be doing anything at the moment, but I do have shoots coming through on my chrysanthemums so I hope to take a few cuttings shortly.
With plenty to do lets hope the weather remains good.