first strawberries!

Well DSB apologies for the prolonged absence - as you correctly noted we are in full gardening flow here (although Al lotment is in race prep mode!). I have (hopefully) managed to attach some photos of the new allotment. I hope things in the great north are fine and dandy and you are reaping your full crop. How awful to be subjected to web filters - as long as the cobblers website is still allowed - otherwise I suspect you may have to fill you days doing work! ta ta for now

Re-boot

I guess there are two possibilities for the tumbleweeds on here. Either the first flush of spring enthusiasm has been flushed away and your plot is now neglected as you enjoy other distracting pursuits or youre too busy with the azada to share your thoughts. For me, it's the council's new web filter which seems to have blocked my access. On top of that I've been enjoyed many late nights down at the plot with the sun going down after ten oclock. We had snow on 12 May but that didnt hang around very long and a week of very warm weather has got the soil up to around 15 deg, which would be ideal for planting out all the tender stuff I sowed before I went on holiday. Unfortunately we now have a bitter wind from the north so I've been concentrating on soil preparation. Lots still to do. Watch this space... and perhaps even contribute.

Leaning Tower of Peas

Anybody there? I've been too busy to blog sowing my sweetcorn, 3 types of courgette, 4 types of pumpkin and 4 types of bean. And the plot now looks a bit more recognisable as a vegetable garden. Potatoes are all lazy bedded. Beetroot, fennel and spinach in. I've been pilfering willow branches from the woods for my high peas. Broad beans coming along and the artichokes are now in the ground but under fleece to protect against the wind. It's been a tad chilly, less than 10deg, and the north wind looks set to continue for a good while. All in all, a dood time to be off for 10 days in Tuscany. So you won't hear from me until I've got for you a few seedy items from the back streets of Fosdinovo. Al, keep an eye out for me on Giro Stage 6: I'll be dressed as an artichoke and wielding an azada.

The Bigger Picture

There's more to life than soil and seedlings. Weekend was spent up in the northwest. Valerie was learning how to turn a large cable bobbin into a outdoor mosaic table. Meanwhile, I did a couple of modest mountains and a pootle on my bike around the mildly picturesque North Assynt coast road. It’s not the Cotswolds but it has its moments.

It would help if I figured out how to upload the photos!

The new Greenhouse

Well I thought I would just show you my new greenhouse - I went down there tonight and everything is growing absolutely marvellously. It is an old conservatory and we were very excited about our work bench! Lucy's Grampy also has the most amazing walk-in polytunnel.

I do think we put our peas in the ground too soon as they don't look very healthy and am also a bit worried about the spuds but I am sure they will appear soon.

I did have to tactically mention to Lucy S that I thought she was putting the onions in a bit too deep - we don't want to make that mistake again!

Things You Never Knew You Needed: 1

It's always important to look good on the plot, whether it's an Axminster shirt or your choice of accessories. Impress your friends and neighbours, if you have any, with this Damson wheelbarrow. Ideal for transporting your plums.