Warmth!

   There is warmth behind the sun! As has been the case in previous years once February turns up one can really feed the warmth in the sun when one gets it! Seed potatoes are bought and are set out in seed trays to chit. Rosebelle (red), Desiree (red), Belle de Fontenay and Franceline. Franceline (french for Frances) would seem to be a newish variety. More seeds have germinated - Little Gem lettuce, Roma tomatoes, Ambition shallots, cauliflower and celeriac. In the "bulb bank" a lot more crocus's have flowered. Fruit buds are showing the early signs of swelling.

Seed potatoes chitting

 Maybe I should eat my words? The weather has turned wet and windy although it is still mild. Long may the mild weather continue.  The ground being very wet I have not been able to do much on the veggie plots. I have managed to turn over an area in which I will be sowing parsnips. The soil is saturated. There have been a couple of days where I have managed to get out and do some winter clearing up. The house garden now looks a little tidier but still more to do. I have been climbing up the plum and apple trees pruning away and allowing light to get to the centre of the trees. I do not think anything has been done to these trees for a good number of years. I am happy with what I have done this year but more needs to be done with them and will now have to wait until this autumn. I now have another pile of wood to burn! A quiet week really. The vegetables that are still left in the garden are now really coming to an end. Turnips, a swede or two, spinach and a few carrots. My late sowing celeriac look like they will give us something, better than nothing I guess. Still to dig up Jerusalem artichokes and oca.
   In the poly tunnel the potato's continue to survive and the French shallots look good. I have peas growing and they are going to need to be supported despite the fact they are dwarf ones! No sign of the spring onions yet. Winter leaves are hanging in there as are the few salad bowl lettuce plants. Time to tell the rain Gods to switch off!