{"id":24913,"date":"2024-04-07T11:24:29","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T10:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/?p=24913"},"modified":"2024-04-08T10:28:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T09:28:22","slug":"a-start-to-planting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/susan\/a-start-to-planting\/","title":{"rendered":"A start to planting"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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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.<\/p>

Martyn has posted more about the weather on his blog.<\/a><\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We planted a mixture of onion varieties both sets – Hercules, Centurion , Corrado and Rosaana<\/span> 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.\u00a0<\/p>

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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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.<\/p>

Video here<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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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.<\/p>

We’re just hoping that the structure will have withstood the weekend’s gales.<\/p>

Details of plantings and sowings for April are listed here<\/a><\/p>

\"\"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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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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.\u00a0<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Finally some of last week’s meals.<\/p>

Some of our onion and garlic went onto a Tomato, pepper and bean hotpot<\/a>.<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

Our garlic, green chilli and peas from the freezer were used in a curried turkey mince dish.<\/a><\/p>

\"\"Then I made a chicken cacciatore<\/a> which used more onions and garlic. I added some mushrooms that needed to be used up.<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

That’s all for this week so as always stay safe and well.<\/p>

I am again linking with Dave for Harvest Monday on his Our Happy Acres blog.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 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