20 April 2008 - Poised for action

A quick trip to the plot this weekend as the weather yesterday was cold and inclement.

It was also quick because we attended a local ceremony to add two more names to the War Memorial, two local soldiers who had died in the Falklands and Afghanistan. Combined with the death of one of our neighbours over the road last week and the funeral of a friend on Friday, our thoughts have been on the more sombre side of the cycle of life.

It was with some relief we made our quick visit towards the end of the afternoon to find that the first of the carrot tops are just showing, more peas have popped up, our seedbed inhabitants are doing well especially the sunflowers, and the garlic is continuing to thrive.

Everything looked dry so we watered, only then for rain to start falling as soon as we had finished.

N put the finishing touches to the integrity of the Pagoda, by stapling up the last of the netting.

We also put soil improver on the seedbed, and sowed January King cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli and kale. Interestingly there weren't that many seeds in the kale packet so I just put them all in. Maybe because of their eventual size?

N planted some giant sunflower seeds along the bank and a load of wildflower seeds which will look real purty if they all come up.

At home, our broccoli and leek seedlings are doing well, and courgette, marigold and sweetcorn are just poking through.

The allotment as a whole shows lots of sign of work, digging and activity. Bean poles are up and potato beds made. It seemed to us as we left the allotment that it was just poised for action and conditions to really get going - warmth and sun. The forecast indicates rising temperatures towards the end of the week so here's hoping.

Pictures (from top): Checking potatoes for emerging shoots (none yet); more apple blossom; elephant garlic thriving; and peas in the Fruit Cage.