We have had just over a week of absolutely wonderful weather. Sadly it will return to clouds and average temperatures for the time of 11 degrees. However it was glorious while it lasted. With temperatures hitting 18 degrees It was sheer bliss to doze in the sun and be busy doing nothing.
Spring is such a dynamic time where you can almost see the plants grow. There is a lilac that I cherish and though initially slow to flower now is invariably in flower for my husband, Tom's birthday. I noticed the buds were plumping up a week ago and within a matter of days the purple buds were on show.
In an attempt at spring cleaning I harvested the last cabbage, cavolo Nero and Brussels sprout tops. With them out I turned the earth and weeded afterwards which should be a good foundation for further crops.
The addition of a mini deep fat fryer has not been the wisest choice but it has introduced delicious Jerusalem artichoke chips to the household. You could also do this more healthily by spraying them with oil and roasting them. I also made bubble and squeak using up the last of the brassicas and sprouting potatoes (sprouting in a not good way as opposed to purple s. broccoli). Yummy served with a duck egg and baked beans.
I overcame my sun-induced laziness and some some seeds - a hopeful act imbued with magical qualities. How can these tiny things spring forward and grow to feed us months from now?
When sowing there are some ground rules that provide a great grounding for the future health of your plants.
Use a light weight fine compost. Some people make up their own concoctions but I have to admit I just used a multi purpose compost.
You are also suppose to clean out old trays but, again I was bad and just emptied out the old soil and that was it.
Then just follow the instructions on your seed packet.
Pop them on a window sill. Turn them occasionally so they don't grow wonky trying to find the light.
Keep them watered but don't drown them (avoid mould). Keeping them covered keeps the moisture in an helps germination.
One important thing I will remember after the mystery tomato debacle is proper labelling and record keeping.
To that end this is what I sowed at the weekend:
Tomato gardeners delight
Mangetout with purple flowers
Cosmos
Kale no cover
Calabrese
Asparagus pea
Update- one week later and the calabrese, kale and cosmos are already poking through the soil.
Amazing.
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