Cold Frames

The last couple of days I have been sorting out the cold frames on the plots. They were in a sorry state after the winter. The glass / plastic  was covered in algae which took a bit of cleaning and there were a couple that needed the glass replacing all together. Weeds that had grown in the frames were removed and a fresh layer of wood chip was added to the base of each frame. I also knocked up a couple of additional frames made from the collapsible frames they fit to pallets. The glass top are sheets of laminated car glass. They were all promptly filled with trays of various Brassicas, Onion & Leek seedling as well as a couple of trays of Sweet Peas.

Sweet Potatoes & Spuds In !

I know its a bit early but I have planted out all my potatoes including 4 varieties of main crop. As I will be spending a fair bit of time away from the plots shortly due to the wife having a major operation,  I just wanted to get them out of the way.
I have also planted out a couple of Sweet Potatoes alongside a row of main crop. This is the second time I have tried them. The other year there was an offer in one of the gardening magazines offering Sweet Potato Kits which  claimed that you were guaranteed to get a bumper crop. The offer included the Sweet Potato Slips and a couple of grow sacks. I followed the instructions to the letter, but the results was very very disappointing.
 I should have complained and questioned their guarantee claim but as the offer only cost me £4.95 to cover the post & package I couldn't be bothered.   I hope I get a better result this year or this will be the last time Sweet Potatoes will be on any of my plots.

Plot Update

Over the last couple of days I have planted out 2 rows of Kestrel and a couple of Sweet potatoes on plot 29b. And on plot 36, I have sown the following seeds directly into prepared beds:

Beetroot
Parsnips
Radish
Spring Onions
Rocket
Coriander
Flat leaf Parsley
Curly Parsley
Spinach
Oriental Spinach
Peas

In the greenhouse I have started off  Red cabbage, Sprouts, Costaluto, Roma and Beef Tomatoes as well as some Okra.

Surplus Horse Muck!

I had a nice surprise the other day, out of the blue one of the plot holders at our allotment asked me if i interested in a ton of horse muck he had surplus to requirements. And as he only wanted a tenner for it, I gladly took it off his hand. I will let it rot down ready for the Autumn.

Loads Done Today.

!st row of potatoes (international Kidney) in, Turbo onion sets in, Parsnip bed ready for planting,  Compost bins emptied, Fruit tress & soft fruit bushes mulched. Well and truly knackered! Can't wait until tomorrow for some more. Things are starting to move now. Love it!!!!!!

Beds Rotivated

Saturday was a good productive day on the plots. All of last years leaf mould was spread over the beds and rotivated in. The beds are now ready to be planted out.

Greenhouse Heater Needed Tonight.

I held back starting my seeds off this year in an attempt to save money on paraffin. As with other fuels the price of paraffin has increased greatly over the last 12 months. Last year I spent a fortune heating the greenhouse. We have been having some nice weather recently so I haven't needed the heater. But would you believe it!, just as I fill my greenhouse with trays full of tender young seedling, the temperature is due to fall below zero. So the greenhouse heater is given a dust down, checked over and put into service for the first time this year.