Signs of Life!

A quick update after a brief visit to the plot this afternoon.

My rhubarb is coming along quite nicely, some of the garlic has sprouted and the plum tree and raspberry and redcurrant bushes have buds on them now.

At home, the cabbages and sprouts are growing and some of the leeks have sprouted.

Test Results.

I took three soil samples from my plot this morning (one from each main bed) and tested each for:

• Acidity (pH)
• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)

Acidity, phosphorus and potassium levels are all acceptable.  Nitrogen levels were low in all three samples so I will fertilise the soil with some chicken manure.

Elephant Garlic Planted

I planted a row of elephant garlic this morning. The cloves are huge. I can't wait to see what the bulbs are like!

I also took some soil samples home with me for testing. I'll carry out the tests and put the results up here.

Onions In

I spent a couple of hours at the allotment this morning and planted my onions and garlic.

I know that it's too late for garlic - but better late than never!

I have a row of Solent White garlic and a row of Cristo garlic.

I have two rows of Stuttgarter Giant onions, one row of F1 Centurion onions and a row of Red Baron onions.

Finally Got Some Rotavation!

Me and Dan hired a rotavator this morning and went straight to the plot.

After a couple of hours of rotavating, raking, sweeping and hoeing the plot was transformed.

There were hardly any roots in the ground and any I did find were well and truly dead. Thanks Round-Up!

I bought some more seed potatoes and have got them chitting in the shed. I bought 20 King Edwards and 10 Maris Peer.

Chitting & Sowing

I have finally started my potatoes chitting toady. I have ten Duke of York as my firat early, ten Bonnie as my second early and 30 Cara as my maincrop. Now I've placed them out for chitting, I'm not sure I've got enough.

I have also sown my leeks, cabbages and brussels in seed trays and left them to germinate at home.