Now I know that size IS important to many people, you know who you are! But for me, with most things it doesn’t matter. That is except when it comes to my fruit and vegetables and then size really DOES matter! I’ve not been on my plot for about 3 weeks now. Yes I know that’s awful, but I wasn’t well (this took a couple of weeks to finally go, I’m better now), then we were away for a few days in the half term, then it poured with rain, and then I was working!! Phew!! My plots look like I’ve abandoned them, but don’t worry I’ll soon get them back into shape. I had a fun 3 hours this morning planted out various plants. I was very please with myself as all the ones I put in the boot of the car I managed to do. Firstly it was the Kohl Rabi. These are starting to swell up at the base of the plant which is a good sign that they’re growing well. Hopefully they’ll be happy in their new home on the allotment. They shouldn’t need covering with netting, but if you are worried please do. They’ll also need protecting from our favourite gastropods as well.

Kohl Rabi, grow my pretties!! And some peas.

Once these were all in (well all the ones I took with me. When I got home I found that I’d left some on the table) I then planted out the Peas. I’ve got various varieties growing at different stages so that hopefully we have a constant supply over the summer. Well that’s the plan anyway. I have put them in up against a wigwam construction so they will hopefully climb up the canes and be happy. Then it was time to get the Butternut Squash in. I had 9 plants, so have put 5 in one bed and 4 in a other. They don’t mind being separated around the allotment, but they’re great to fill in any gaps. Plant them at least 2 feet apart if you can as they need space to trail and grow. They did really well last year, so hopefully they’ll do even better this year. And again protect from our slimy friends.

That’s 5 Butternut in this bed, and 4 in another bed.

And the last lot of plants I took down were my Kale. This always does well and is a good source or iron, which is something that I lack sometimes and can’t give blood. Still never mind. I have 10 Kale plants, so planted 2 rows of 5. Make sure that you protect these from our slimy friends and also from the doves from above. If you don’t, then they’ll decimate your plants in a matter of hours!

Kale which is protected from below and above.

Then just before I left to come home I noticed that my Rhubarb needed to be harvested. Now I don’t know what I’ve done, maybe it’s the manure, or the seaweed fertiliser, but it’s grown really, really large!! I bought 4 stems home so I could show you and measure. The longest leaf was 30 inches long and the Rhubarb stem was 17 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep!! I bought 4 home and the total length of them would only just fit in the width of our car boot!! I’ll have to make some pies and crumbles, and give some away to friends. I’ve never know it grow that big before. Still size isn’t everything, but when it comes to Rhubarb it really is!!

Mammoth sized Rhubarb. The leaves are the size of elephants ears!!