Will the ground ever dry up so that we can work on the allotment without being caked in mud? When it isn’t actually raining the weather is mainly gloomy, damp and drizzly.
It’s difficult to imagine that we may end up hauling watering cans around the plot later in the year.
We did have some dry, sunny days at the weekend so last week we did manage to do some work on the allotment. It is still very muddy so the work didn’t involve any digging Martyn, started work on the compost area. He began emptying one of the bays and spreading the compost on beds in which potatoes will be planted. He is also replacing some panels as he goes along.
Video here and here
I did some very overdue pruning. This year one of the raspberry beds is due for renovation. I started by cutting out all the old canes and tying in the new ones. I usually do this in late autumn but last year that didn’t happen.
We also cut back the jostaberries. Two were just trimmed and another two were cut right back. Hopefully, this will rejuvenate them.
These bushes are unlikely to bear fruit for a couple of years so we didn’t want to give all the bushes the same treatment.
The rose bushes were pruned hard and the lavender bed trimmed.
The indoor grow light was set up and red onion and shallot seeds have been sown. These are the first seeds of the year and mark the start of the growing season. We have a page that gives details of when seeds are sown, germinate, transplanted and planted out here. A monthly index of our sowing record is posted here. This includes records for last year which we use as prompts as to what needs sowing each month.
Our walk around the grounds at Nostell necessitated steering Ruby around the worst of the mud. A miniature stream was running down the edge of one of the paths.
The winter lakes that had started to recede have refilled and new small ponds have been created. Hopefully, these will disappear before the bluebells emerge.
The waterbirds don’t mind the wet. Last week most of the Canada geese had left but one or two remained. The birds soon notice that food is on offer. Care needs to be taken when the swans are about as they are not satisfied with what is thrown on the ground and try to mug me and steal the whole bag of food. Last week a moorhen joined the fray. There were some tufted ducks but they don’t seem to venture off the water so I throw food out to them
Some new visitors drew attention to themselves due to their loud, piping calls. A flock of wigeon was gathered at the far side of the lake. I need my ‘proper’ camera to get a clear photo but no doubt if I had this with me they wouldn’t be around.
The same is true for the egret that seems to be a regular visitor to the lake at Temple Newsam. It doesn’t help that it forages amongst the reeds.
Back at home in the garden, the tubs of bulbs are starting to cheer things up. Crocuses and irises are flowering in a couple of hanging baskets as well as the tubs.
Round the front of the house, miniature daffodils and crocuses are flowering. 
I’ve mentioned before how curious, Ruby is. She always has to try to look over walls or through any gaps. The holes in the wall are just too high for her to reach so she wanted to be lifted up so she could peer through.
After the trip to Nostell, it was time for Ruby to be shampooed ready for a visit from the groomer the following day. Ruby doesn’t appreciate either treatment. It’s a shame as she looks lovely and fluffy before she is clipped but she is far easier to brush after her trim.
Short video here
Onto some of last week’s meals. Some of our squash, onion, garlic and frozen red pepper were used in a chicken curry which was accompanied by a homemade onion bhaji
Some of our parsnips and leeks were used to make parsnip and leek patties which were served with one of our potatoes baked and a selection of our frozen vegetables.
Onion, garlic, frozen red peppers and peas went into a turkey paella.
That’s all for this week. At least we feel that we have started to get something done on the allotment but there is still lots to do so we need the weather to be kind.
Until next time as always stay safe and well.
Good to see you both getting cracking on the allotment despite the weather. The weather is so extreme isn’t it, either torrential rain, wild winds or drought! Bless Ruby!xxx
It’s good to have made a start, Dina
It’d hard to envisage when it will be dry again and goodness knows how the farmers are coping. I’ve never grown shallots from seed – are there any advantages using this method compared to planting sets?
Growing shallots from seed is just different rather than having an advantage, Anna, The result is one large shallot rather than a cluster.I’ going to try replanting ine to see what happens,
It is muddy out there isn’t it. Bertie has just had a major haircut, which he absolutely hates. I’ve just taken out my old raspberries and put in new canes. Also all new raised beds, which is nice. Then hopefully I’ll get some asparagus in and maybe some new strawberries. Fingers crossed for a dry weekend!
Look forward to seeing what you plant in your raised beds CJ.
I think it was Monty Don saying just the other day that the changing weather patterns are going to force us to rethink how we garden in the future. We must prepare for long hot summers and very wet winters becoming the norm.
I’d love to know what they base these statements on, D.eEbbie. Martyn has kepy weather records for the last fourteen years. Last year’s summer average temperature was only 0.2 above average mainly due to a few days with high temperatures As for winter rainfall last year was way below average which was why Martyn was able to go over the beds with a tiller last February.
We went to Gardeners World Live about 15 years ago and they were saying that we would need to grow drought loving plants even cactii in the garden. The year after when we went the walkways were flooded.
It’s so soggy isn’t it! We’re desperate to get on but the ground is far too clary, at least our plots don’t have any flooding. We’re hoping for a work party with a bonfire this weekend but we’ll be very lucky if that happens!
Our plots are flood free too but really soggy, Belinda. Trying to do much would do more harm than good.
No pancakes? The fields are waterlogged at the moment, it’s hard to tell whether they’re actually lakes or not. The rivers are so full too, it’ll be interesting to see how quickly the first hosepipe bans are announced this year.
No pancakes, Jo. The ground is so waterlogged that any rain has nowhere to go, Jo. Have you seen the field between the canal and river between SWillington and Woodlesford?
That field only needs a little water and it’s drenched, I feel so sorry for the poor horses which are stabled there.
Yes, it’s hard enough for farmers to make a living these days, Jo