MY WEEK 16 : (APRIL 17TH)

Hello all, another busy week goes by with things really starting to move now that the weather has been more favourable, however this also means that the weeds are growing well and my hoe has been busy as well.

This week I started off by planting out the Broad Bean plants that I had started off in cell trays, as you can see I have planted 3 double rows with 2' between the double rows and 8" between the plants, I will have to support these with rails that I will be making next week using the wooden laths that I also use for my Sweet Peas and Runner Beans, I will show you next week how I make them.


The Rhubarb has really put on some growth this week due to the warm sunshine and showers and will soon be ready for the first picking, I have posted my own recipe for Rhubarb Fool onto my Seasonal Recipe page for those of you looking for an idea of something to make with your crop which should soon be ready to harvest.




The Shallots that I planted at the beginning of March are starting to sprout nicely now that they have established their roots, the danger of any birds trying to pull them out to see if there are any worms or grubs underneath them has now ended so they do not need to be covered over anymore. I can also hoe around them now to remove the annual weeds that are emerging without dislodging the Shallots, if there are any sets that haven't rooted by now then they will have probably gone mouldy so I will remove these and replace them with the spares that I had planted at the end of the rows.



The Gooseberry cordons that I planted last Autumn are doing really well and are starting to produce flowers which means that I should get some fruit this year although the crop will not be as heavy as it will be in subsequent years as this is there first season, you can probably tell from this photo that it should be easier and less painful to harvest the crop than if they were bushes.






This week I have planted my Maincrop potatoes, 2' apart in rows that are 2 1/2' apart and as with the earlies about 6" deep. The early potatoes are just starting to break the surface of the soil and will need earthing up next week.
As well as planting the Broad Beans I have sown some Swedes ( Brora) which is according to the packet an'' outstanding new variety with good colour, shape and flavour best suited for early winter use''.
Also this week I have been busy pricking out more bedding plants, Petunias, Asters, Coleus, French Marigolds, Calendulas and Busy Lizzies.

Next week will be time for sowing French and Runner Beans into pots in the coldframe, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Pumpkins and Sweetcorn into pots in the cool greenhouse and also I have been given by my friend Glen about 10 good size clumps of Dhalias which I will be planting up at the allotment, I will also be erecting the supports for the Runner Beans to grow up .
Well that's it for this week, thankyou all once again for your continued support and feedback and I will speak to you all next week, have a good week, Thanks Steve.