Last week brought a little bit of everything—sunshine that hinted at summer, followed by a sharp return to colder, windier days. Just enough to keep us gardeners guessing, and the planting plans constantly under review.
In my previous post, I bemoaned the likelihood that we would fail in our plan to follow the tradition of planting our first potatoes over Easter. With Easter Monday being the final day of the holiday, would we manage a last-minute success?
At home and in the garden
I finalised the plant list for our new border and have now ordered all the perennials. It proved quite difficult to source everything on the list suggested by Gemini, but after tweaking a few varieties, I managed to find a nursery that could supply the lot.
We couldn’t find the plants locally, so collecting them this week will make for a pleasant afternoon out.
I now need to find a couple of clematis to fit the overall scheme—more on that next week.
At the allotment
Easter Monday — our last chance to get potatoes in the ground over the Easter period.
We woke to clear blue skies and sunshine, which made us optimistic, although experience told us that could easily change by the afternoon when we planned to head to the allotment.
Thankfully, the weather held—for once—and we set off… with seed potatoes, onion sets, and garlic.
We have plenty of potatoes waiting to be planted, but our aim was simply to make a start by planting four of the varieties we’re trialling this year: Harry, Jacky, Caesar, and Mozart. Each year, we grow a selection we haven’t tried before; if a variety performs well, it often earns a place in future plans.
Planting didn’t take long—I simply dug a hole with a trowel, dropped in a seed potato, and covered it over.
Late frosts often blacken newly emerging shoots. They do recover, but it sets them back, so this year we’re trying to give them some protection by erecting an enviromesh tunnel over the bed. This will be removed once the risk of frost has passed.
After the potatoes, I planted the onion sets and garlic, pushing them into shallow drills filled with multipurpose compost, which we find gives them a good start. This bed was also covered with enviromesh, but unlike the potatoes, this will remain in place to protect against onion fly and allium leaf miner.
While I was planting, Martyn covered our cherry tree with netting. Without it, wood pigeons would quickly decimate the tree—not just the fruit, but the blossom and young leaves too.
Tuesday could easily have been mistaken for summer. We returned to the allotment in the morning to plant more potatoes—this time Ulster Prince. The seed potatoes were large, so many were cut in half to make them go further. Each piece needed at least two shoots, and the cut surfaces were left to dry before planting.
Ruby came along to supervise, although at times her nose was in danger of being planted along with the potatoes.
Thursday, we started planting up our new strawberry bed. There are still plenty of plants growing on in the greenhouse that aren’t quite ready to go out yet.
Out and about
The green transformation is now gathering pace, helped along by those vibrant blue skies. Suddenly, everything feels alive again.
Bluebells are spreading—far more vibrant in real life than any photo ever manages to capture.
Both of the Nostell swans were on the nest. As they take turns incubating the eggs, perhaps we were witnessing a quiet changing of the guard.
Ruby had a busy week. After supervising potato planting and enjoying a long afternoon walk, it was time for a shower ahead of her grooming appointment the next day.
Her coat had reached peak fluffiness just as the weather turned into the warmest of the year so far. She was a wonderfully soft bundle, although daily brushing had become quite the task. Ruby doesn’t enjoy showers or grooming in the slightest, but needs must.
After her haircut, she always poses for a photo. This time, she’s a shadow of her former fluffy self—but no less lovable.
So, despite the weather’s best efforts to keep us guessing, we made more than just a start—proof that even when plans are under review, there’s still plenty to be done and achieved.
Until next time, stay safe and stay well.
Ooh, your lovely neat rows of onions! Looking excellent. The top photo is really lovely – a perfect Spring photo.
Ruby is definitely posing after her fluffing session but has a more pleading look on her face in the mid-shower photo!
We have to try for straight rows, Belinda as our plot neighbour is likely to check them with a tape measure. Ruby isn’t a fan of showers.
What a difference a shower makes. She doesn’t even look like the same dog. I’m always so impressed with how scientific you are with your garden. Taking great care to plant different varieties and carefully observing how they produce. I’m a bit willy nilly when it comes to anything. I always forget to label things. What types of seeds are in the package. When did I start a wine? What logical place did I put the mosquito repellent? I’m glad you had some blue skies.
Ruby does have a whole series of looks, Bonnie. My special skill is misplacing glasses, keys etc.