Clairesallotment's Blog

Well it’s nearly March and Spring is just around the corner. If today’s weather is anything to go by it’s a long way away. Very cold today, grey and rainy. I did spend most of the afternoon in the greenhouse though. I’ve just come in and my hands are still cold. I have sown a load of chillies. I know I’ve still got quite a few left from last year, but they’re so beautiful, and look wonderful in the greenhouse. I’ve got a 6 pack variety, so I’ll have various heats, colours and sizes. If you’re running low on seed trays and you know an elderly person who has meals delivered to them ask for the containers, they make great seed trays, just put some drainage holes in the bottom. Must hold my cup of tea to warm my finger up now!

I’ve just come in from sowing various seeds in the greenhouse. I’ve still got dirt under my nails. I would have sown more, but I’ve run out of compost and can’t get any more until Saturday. I have sown Kohl Rabi, which I enjoyed so much last year I’ve just got to do again. Cucumbers, the last few Melon seeds and some Broad Beans, I’ve not finished those as I’ve got no more compost left. I’ve still got loads still to sow this month, and a couple of items to film, but I not going to tell you what they are now…what a tease I am. More to post very soon.

It’s Mark’s birthday today, so “Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband”. I won’t tell you how old he is, just to say that now he’s 2 years older than me, but only for 4 weeks.
I spent the afternoon in the greenhouse starting off my onions in those good old toilet rolls. I thought I’d saved enough, but am rapidly running out. I started some garlic also, but my hands were getting far too cold, and I couldn’t feel what I was doing, so it was time to come in. I’ll finish the garlic off in the next couple of days. Looks like I’m growing enough to feed the whole square, not just us for a year.

Watched a film the other evening called “The Garden”. It’s a documentary about a community garden in LA. I found it fascinating, I got very cross with some of the people in the film, furious with others and stared in wonderment at everything these people had grown and went through. If you’ve not seen it, borrow it from you DVD place. It’s only 75 minutes, but worth every minute. It put our little disagreement with out local Council into perspective.

What an exciting morning I had today. Sean came over and we filmed for the first two programmes for the new TV gardening programme called The Horticultural Channel.Tv. It was very exciting. Firstly we started in the greenhouse at home because it was raining. I think we were hoping that the rain would stop by the time we needed to go to the allotment, but no… as we got there it decided to rain even harder. Needless to say we didn’t spend too much time down there. My hands got very cold and I wish I’d taken a flask of tea with me. I’ll know next time. It was great fun even in the rain, and I can’t wait to see the finished article. I won’t tell you what we planted as I want it to be a surprise. The first programme airs on Sunday 6th March at 9am.

Been down in the greenhouse today, sorting out the leeks that I put in there to dry the soil off. All I’m doing is snipping off the roots, tops of the leaves and taking any outer brown leaves off. I’ll keep them in the fridge and use them instead of onions. You can freeze them if you slice them before freezing and then just take out as you need them. No need to defrost before cooking. Make sure you wash them thoroughly as they always have dirt in them, and crunching on that whilst eating a meal isn’t very nice.

Whilst eating breakfast this morning there came a knock on the front door. It was far to early for the postman. I was greeted by a delivery man with a parcel for me. I would like to say a huge “Thank You” to Victoriana Nursery Gardens for allowing me to order £30 of goodies from them free or charge. I ordered a selection or herb plants, packets of seeds and a few other bits. If you live in the UK look them up and order from them as they are wonderful. I’m hoping to pop down there and see them over the Easter break.

Got loads done today! All a bit boring, but I had loads of fresh air and a sing along with the ipod. I weeded a few more beds and then covered with a layer of manure. I planted some daffodil bulbs in a large tyre. I know it’s the wrong time of year to put them in, but I forgot that they were in the greenhouse. I dug up a few more J. Artichokes and replanted them straight away so they can grow again this year. Whilst I was re arranging them I dug up some red potatoes. I think I briefly remember a rogue one growing there. That was a little surprise and I think we’ll have them for dinner tonight, must remember to remove the earth first. Hmm crunchy!!

Got an email from my parents today saying that they’re in their garden in their shorts. For those who don’t know they live in Spain. I told them to spot showing off and that I spent yesterday in the greenhouse. I could wear shorts in the garden now, but my legs would get a bit chilly. At this time of year I prefer to wear my thermals.

Spent this afternoon in the greenhouse sowing the very first seeds of the season. It’s all very exciting to be starting again, well I get excited maybe a little too much. I sowed Autumn Mammoth Leeks, All Year Round Cauliflowers, Carina Aubergines and Tomatoes consisting of the following varieties – Orange Berry, Costoluto, San Marzano, Ildi and Tigerella. I also sowed loads of Sweet Peas so hopefully the allotment and hanging baskets in the garden will smell sweet all summer. They’re great for attracting pollinating insects, especially bees. Have fun this season whatever you grow.