The Rotivator

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6 years in, we've decided to invest in technology and have got ourselves a rotivator. It ploughed this bed really quickly. But apparently it is quite tiring taming the machine.

In the bed I planted spinach and beetroot. Aso, in the raised bed, I planted some Radish seeds.

Rhubarb - first pick 2013

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Today at the allotment wepicked the first crop from 2013 growth (we're still picking some cabbage from last summer). All rather exciting.

The other good news at the allotment is that the warmth of the last few days has allowed the onions to grow, and it looks like we might be in for a good crop after all (fingers crossed).

The broadbeans are doing well down there too. There's still a lot of digging and prearation to do though before we can put other plants and seeds in.

Planting out broadbeans #1

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Today, the reserve gardener had a brilliant session at the allotment, preparing beds, cutting grass, and planting out the first batch of broadbeans.

Spring has sprung, sewing time

Today has been about the first truly warm day (car thermometer said 19 degrees). Whilst we had a little pop to the allotment to put some veg peelings on the compost heap, and have a look at the onions - about 20, today was about sewing seeds in the greenhouse.

The greenhouse is now looking fairly full :-). Today I've planted:
- French beans (cobra) - we eat these during the summer
- Runner beans (Butler) - we freeze these for winter eating
- Courgette (jemmer F1) - we eat as many of these as we can, and then make ratatouille with  the rest. These are a bright yellow colour, slightly sweeter than green courgette, and look far more interesting on your plate!
- Sweetcorn (early extra sweet F1)
- Gourds  (Butternut, and Uchiki Kuri)
- Pumpkin (small sugar).

Note, I didn't need the extra broadbeans I planted - I now have about 45 plants! Going to be a lot of picking!!!!

Back after 2 week's break

So we went away for a fortnight, and what should be the beginning if Spring. But the UK has had freezing cold weather during this time, therefore I was a little bit weary about what I would find.

At the allotment, the garlic has begun to grow (hurrah); the rhubarb has frost burn, but should be recoverable (hmm); and the spinach and rainbow chard has been destroyed (boo).

In the greenhouse, the broadbeans that I thought were old and knackered have sprouted (bonus bumper broadbean bonanza?);the peas and tomatoes are beginning to do their thing (nice), and everything else is not responding (hurry up).

However, as it is now a little bit warmer (washing is drying outside), and signficantly lighter, I hope that things will catch up, and we actually planned our holiday really well!