a matter of succession…

If there is one horticultural skill that I am sadly lacking in proficiency, it is the ability to put together a succession plan. My sowing and planting schedule consists of running out, and doing it all at once – probably at the last minute. I have tried to improve this year, mostly because I don’t want to have any fruit or veg going into the freezer, because in all likelihood that is where it will remain. In preparation of this, I did put together an approach. With the perennial fruit and veg – we have to eat it in season or turn it into something that we like and consume – for example, apricots for preserves, apples for cider, grapes for wine, forced rhubarb eaten in season, ditto asparagus. Then I cut down on sowing and planting too many plants, the produce of which would end up in the freezer – that means broad beans. The soft fruit such as blackcurrants/redcurrants and gooseberries need more thought, because I don’t want to get rid of the bushes we have. For some crops, I am trying to sow little and spaced out…. rocket, lettuce, radish etc.

Of course there are some that we will still sow/plant all at once – garlic, pumpkins and squashes, tomatoes, chillies, peppers and aubergine spring to mind.

Let’s see how it goes.

Reading this week: The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes

push me pull you..

This is how I feel about the March weather. A challenge of growing heat loving vegetables, in a temperate maritime climate, is the unpredictability of early spring weather. Here, February is typically on the dry side and we do have some lovely sunny days. Slip into March and all can turn on a sixpence.

Snow arrived…

This fall commenced on Wednesday and was melting away by the weekend. Even so, it was sufficient to prevent travel, stopping deliveries and the closure of schools. I’m eyeing up the tomatoes; chillies; peppers and aubergines seedlings in the propagators which need to be potted on. The house thermostats are set to 10 degree C, not an ideal temperature, I think, for young plants. I’m also hoping that the newly emerged apricot bloom won’t be frosted and there will be pollination. Otherwise there won’t be any fruit.

I need backup plans.

Reading this week: Islands of Abandonment by Cal Flyn