We did have some glimpses of spring last week. Unfortunately, the rain hasn’t completely given up the assault. Just when we feel as if there may be a chance for the soil to dry out a little, another downpour takes us back to square one. On part of the allotment, the paths are even more squelchy, so much so that we are trying to avoid walking on them. The rain doesn’t even come as short showers, some days it lasts most of the night. As if that wasn’t bad enough we have been battered by strong winds. Looking on the bright side at least the winds should help dry the soil a little, hopefully at least to the point where any weeding that we attempt isn’t accompanied by a slurping soundtrack.
Martyn has posted more about the weather on his blog.
Despite the weather, we really did need to start planting. Onion sets were in danger of spoiling, one variety had, in fact, started to grow. The ones grown from seed were outgrowing the cells that they were sown in.
As usual, we plant onion sets and seedlings in shallow trenches filled with multipurpose compost. Fortunately, the bed planned for the onions was prepared last autumn and had been covered with weed-control fabric. It was also relatively workable.
We planted a mixture of onion varieties both sets – Hercules, Centurion , Corrado and Rosaana and seedlings – Red Baron. For some reason, red onion sets are never really successful for us. Rosanna a pink onion and Corrado are both new to us.
We also planted shallots from both sets – Longor and seeds – Zebrune. Last year was the first time we had tried shallots from seed and were surprised when each seed produced just one fairly larger shallot.
In the same bed, I planted some garlic – Garcua which, apparently, is good for storing. I had planned on planting two varieties but one lot had spoiled.
Once planted up, the bed was covered with a tunnel of enviromesh. This is dual purpose as it should protect the young shoots from being damaged by wildlife and hopefully, if it doesn’t blow off, being battered by the wind.
Onions seem to be a permanent feature on our plot. The onions shallots and garlic that we planted in autumn are growing well. We are self-sufficient as far as onions are concerned, The ones that were stored over winter are now beginning to shoot so to bridge the gap until the autumn crop is ready, I have chopped and frozen a couple of bags full. It’s the first time that we have planted shallots in autumn so it will be interesting to see what they produce.
We had some sweet peas that were sown late last year and were literally dying to be planted out so we constructed a climbing frame from poles and branches from our pollarded hazel. Hopefully, this is long enough for us to plant the next lot of sweet peas that will have been sown in spring.
We’re just hoping that the structure will have withstood the weekend’s gales.
Details of plantings and sowings for April are listed here
Leeks are now starting to produce a woody flower stem and so all the remaining leeks have been lifted. Any that were still in good condition have been sliced and frozen.
More and more flowers are adding colour to the garden but on the down side parts of the lawn have been ruined as a result of all the rain turning them into a muddy mess.
Elsewhere, at Temple Newsam, the first of the many rhododendrons are flowering. These early blooms are in a sheltered spot. The main display will come later.
At Nostell we arrived at the lake just as the pair of swans were swapping nesting duties so I could get a photo showing the nest. In the photo on the bottom right, I could make out seven eggs. Click on the photo to enlarge it and see what you think. Fingers crossed for another successful hatching.
Finally some of last week’s meals.
Some of our onion and garlic went onto a Tomato, pepper and bean hotpot.
Our garlic, green chilli and peas from the freezer were used in a curried turkey mince dish.
Then I made a chicken cacciatore which used more onions and garlic. I added some mushrooms that needed to be used up.
That’s all for this week so as always stay safe and well.
I am again linking with Dave for Harvest Monday on his Our Happy Acres blog.
It’s been damp hasn’t it. I’ve just got my sweet peas out though and also put some asparagus in. I’ve had a new load of topsoil delivered which appears to be quite sandy and forms a cap in the rain. We shall see how it performs. I have some beetroot which has germinated okay, but I fear that heavy rain after seed sowing will mean that they can’t push through.
The rain doesn’t seem to want to go away CJ
Lots of colourful flowers on your plot – that’s nice to see.
I see you cover your garlic, why’s that? Is there something that I haven’t yet discovered that’s going to upset my garlic harvest?!
Love the look of that hotpot 😋
The garlic is covered as protection over winter, Belinda. Also it is planted with onions and we have had allium leaf miner attack our leeks so just in case it moves on to the onions we have left it covered.
I have onions plants ready to set out but it has turned rainy here. I will have to wait a few more days before I can plant anything. I don’t usually have good luck with the red ones either, but I am trying again!
Have you tried the red onions from seed, Dave?
The bleeding heart plants are gorgeous. Glad you can begin to do some planting.
So are we, Sue
It’s uphill all the way against the weather at the moment. How long before we’re on hosepipe bans?
I maybe should’t say this, Debbie but we usually avois hoseplpe bans.
Glad to see you are still getting out there despite the gloomy weather . Hoping the sun will return soon .
Me too, Daisy