Clairesallotment's Blog

International Carrot Day, yes it’s a thing, I didn’t know this until a couple of days ago. You can have Carrot parties, and dress up like a carrots if you want. You can have people round and cook your carrots, either sweet or savoury, it’s up to you.

But why not gather your friends together, young and old. Sit in a circle and snuggle in some soft cushions and pillows and read Lottie and Dottie Sow Carrots.

When you’ve finished reading, go outside and plant your very own, which you’ll be harvesting in late summer.

Come on everyone, let’s make this International Carrot Day better than the last. And if you’ve got red hair, like me, that’s a bonus, we have superhero powers you know.

Woke up this morning…da na na na na. It was really foggy…da na na na na. The fog finally cleared da na na na na. The sun came out da na na na na.

I think I should keep to gardening don’t you?

But yes it’s true, it was really, really foggy first thing, and then by about 11 o clock the sun burned it all away and the afternoon has been beautiful. So I’ve spent most of it in the garden sowing seeds and doing other stuff.

I sowed one row of Parsnips “Gladiator” and the temptation to go all Russell Crowe on them was very strong, but I resisted. They should pop through the soil in about 3 weeks or so, and I’ll keep you posted on their progress.

I also sowed three rows of Carrots. What varieties they are I don’t know as I got several varieties and mixed them all together. It’s going to be a wonderful surprise when I harvest them as to what colours they’re going to be. I love a bit of mystery don’t you? I’m sure Lottie and Dottie would approve.

I then sowed 1 line of Spring Onions “White Lisbon”. I have a couple of other varieties, but I’m trying to finish up all my old seeds, so I can start afresh next year. It’s good to grow carrots and anything from the onion family next to each other, as they repel the flies from each other. I love it when plants work with each other. The same can not be said for Bert and the new chickens. They’re worse than toddlers!!

I also sowed a few more Radish, this time “Pink Beauty”. The first lot of radish I sowed are growing brilliantly and should be ready in a couple of weeks.

And finally I’ve started to harvest this years Asparagus. I sowed it from seed about 7 years ago I think. What variety they are I don’t know, but there are some lovely varieties here. It was then in my allotment, and then I dug it all up and it moved with us. This time last year I put it in it’s new bed, but didn’t harvest any as I wanted it to settle. Now it’s settled I can now harvest some this year. It looks fabulous, I’m so chuffed.

Well that’s all for today, a good days work. I think I deserve one of my birthday beers (I hope I’ve got one left) and a long hot soak in a bath.

Happy days!

Usually I sow my onions from sets, and this is never something I do. But this year I sowed all my onions from seed, so thought I would prick them out into individual pots to help them grow a little better.

I’ve also done the same with my leeks as they were getting a little squashed in their tray.

I love coriander, it’s got such a fresh flavour and makes dishes taste amazing. My seedlings have been growing really well, and now I need to prick them out.

Here’s how I do mine….

Blimey, I can’t believe I’ve finally done all my March indoor seed sowing, just the outdoor sowing to do now, but that will have to wait for another day.

Today I sowed some Celeriac “Monarch” which I love. It’s a very under rated vegetable, but is so versatile and tasty. I also sowed a selection of Lettuce seeds, make sure you don’t sow all your lettuce at once, as you’ll be over run by it. Sow some every month, that way you’ll end up will a good supply throughout the Spring, Summer and into Autumn. Today I sowed “Mixed Red Leaves”, “Rocket”, “Mustard Oriental Ruby Streaks”, “Arctic King”, “Red Veined Sorrel” and some “Land Cress”. I know some of these aren’t technically lettuce, but who cares.

I also sowed some Okra “Clemson Spineless”. Okra can be tricky, and needs a decent amount of heat, but I’m hoping they’ll do well this year. I’ve had some success before, but nothing to write home about….yet!

I also sowed a few more herbs seeds. Firstly Fennel “Bronze”, this is the herb one and not the fennel that makes the bulb at the base. Also some Garden Mint, which I’ve never sown from seed before. And finally some Stevia, which is a new one on me. I’ve tried a little part of a leaf before and it was tasty, but I’ve never grown it myself before. It should look good in the herb patch though. I’ll keep you posted on it’s progress.

And the last of the sowing was a free trial packet of Leeks “Stocky”. I am also growing other leeks, so we’ll have loads to keep us going.

Once all that was done I pricked out a few more tomato plants, and a few other bits and bobs. The flower seeds that I sowed about a week ago are just starting to germinate, so as they say “Everything’s coming up roses!”…..Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.

I also noticed that one of my grape vines is starting to bud, which is exciting. I have 2 vines and I’m hoping to train them to climb over an arch. Not sure I’ll get enough grapes to start making my own wine, but as long as we get some to eat I’ll be happy. I don’t know what varieties they are, as one came from my aunt and uncle many years ago when they moved from the UK to Spain, and the other was label less (where I used to work) so couldn’t be sold, so I gave it a loving home.

Happy days in the garden, what could be better.

I was hoping to spend all day today in the garden, but instead it was just from mid afternoon. This morning and the early part of the afternoon we went to Margate. I love the little shops that are set back in the town. Little gems of shops and a real find. We also visited the Turner Contemporary which is amazing.

Anyway, once we got back home I popped in the garden and hid away in my greenhouses to get a load of stuff done. I pricked out my first sowing of Coriander, and pricked out the last of my Red Brunswick Onions.

I sowed some Courgettes “Gold Mine” and “Griller Mix”, as well as other cucurbits, namely Pumpkins “Polar Bear” and “Wicked”. I then sowed the first of my Sugar Snap Peas “Nairobi“.

That was all I managed to get done today, not as much as I hoped, but at least it was something. Still loads more seeds to sow, but I’ll get round to doing those this week.

Bert is till a little put out by Steve being in her space, so if we’re out I have to give them separate areas to play in. Hopefully they’ll get used to each other soon, then I can introduce the next 2 and then finally the last one who thinks she’s in charge. It’s like having a load of toddlers arguing with each other.

Trying to think the last time I managed to spend the entire day in my garden, it must have been last summer sometime. Usually I’m going out somewhere on a Saturday, but today I wasn’t. Yippeee!

I cleaned out the new chickens house. We’ve had them 2 weeks now, and they’re getting on very well. Steve is being bullied by 3 of the new girls, and she squeaks like a little chick. For the past few days I’ve let her out in the garden with Bert all day, and she’s very slowly gaining confidence. She’s now happy to have Clairey cuddles, but still shakes with fear sometimes. Still I’m working with her and she’s coming along very well. She did sleep with Bert last night (no hanky panky), which Bert wasn’t impressed with. So Dad and I cornered off a little area for her to sleep in. I don’t think Steve has been pecked at all today, so we’re getting there. I’ve even tried the horrible tasting spray that’s supposed to stop other chickens pecking, but it doesn’t seem to have any effect.

While the little house was drying I pootled about in the garden and greenhouses. I pricked out loads more brassica, including my favourite Broccoli Lancer Mixed. I love this it looks so beautiful and tastes amazing.

As well as pricking out a load of Onions Isobel Rose.

I sowed a load more seeds, including some more herbs: Dill, Chives and Coriander. Another variety of Spinach Popeye, and finally a load more flowers which are: Lupins Avalunem, Larkspur Giant Imperial, and a lot of different varieties of Sunflowers: Titan, Giant Single, Pacino, Autumn Beauty, Teddy Bear, Red Sun and Italian White.

Well that’s all for today. I’ve got another free day tomorrow, so I’ll be back in the garden again. I’ve got lots of sowing to do, which I’ll film, so brace yourself for an influx of videos in the next few weeks.

Happy weekend!!

My Melons are growing really well, and getting larger and larger every day.

Yes I know what you’re all thinking…….

Come and see my lovely pair…..

Now is the gentle task of pricking out all your tomato seedlings. If some aren’t quite large enough, prick out what you can, and then put the tray back and let the rest of them grow.

This year I got all my Tomato seeds from Victoriana Nursery.

Here’s how I prick out mine.

The last 2 weeks have been rather windy, and it’s got nothing to do with what I’ve been eating, although Mark may disagree with that. With the strong winds I’ve been very concerned about spending any length of time in the greenhouses. You don’t want to be anywhere near glass that gets shattered by the wind.

Now that the weather has calmed down considerably (finally) and it’s also warmed up again, it’s wonderful to be able to get back into the greenhouse and do some work.

Everything has been growing really well and now I’m starting to prick out all sorts of seedlings. Today I pricked out loads of Tomatoes. Some are germinating better than others, so I’ve prick out what I can, and then put the tray back, and will wait patiently to see if any more appear. Sungold seem to be eager to get out of bed, but the other varieties seem to want a lie in.

My Emir Melons are growing brilliantly, and I have 12 strong seedlings, and 3 little tiny ones. Hopefully they’ll continue to grow well and I’ll be harvesting some lovely fruits in the Summer. I won’t say I’ll be able to show you my lovely pair of melons soon, as that’s just childish….ooops!

I also pricked out a load more brassica seedlings. Kale is doing brilliantly and I have 2 varieties this year “Smoothie Mix” and “Afro”. I’ve also pricked out Broccoli “Lancer Mixed” and Brukale, as well as a few odds and sods.

I also pricked out my French Marigolds which have been growing really well.

March is also the time to start sowing a load of flower seeds, so I’ve sown the following: Poppy “Maanzaad” and “Shirley Single Mixed”. Some Cornflowers “Tall Mixed”, Clarkia “Choice Double”, Gypsophila “Monarch white”, Nigella “Persian Jewels”, Candytuft “Fairy Mixed“, Linum “Bright Eyes”, a Cottage garden mix and finally a mixture of seeds from Kew gardens. They’re all perfect if you want to create a cottage garden feel to your garden.

Phew, that’s all for today folks, I think I need a cup of tea now.