At this time of the year, and with good weather, gardeners are itching to ‘get on’. Yesterday I made a start by digging up the remaining root vegetables, just in case the weather turns and also to prevent any more slug damage to the crop. Veggies were made into soup or chopped up and put in the freezer, ( must get a bigger one!). These bare patches were dug over in readiness for the first plantings and sowings of the new season.

A rhubarb crown was covered with an old dustbin, the darkness will force the rhubarb to grow, providing a crop of juicy stems before the proper crop begins. Remember which crown was forced, as it is best not to force the same one two years running.

I decided the ground was a little too wet to sow broad beans direct, so sowed some in individual pots in the polytunnel, (hoping the mice leave them alone), to plant out when the weather is better. They will grow quite happily in a large tub under cover and supply beans quite early. Why not try this with peas as well, the crops may not be large, but what a pleasure! I did this last year, and had good results, and when the initial crop had finished, chopped the stems down, put the tubs outside and had further pickings.

Another job done, was to give the greenhouse a good clear out, pots, broken canes, bits of string, where does it all come from? I know where most of it went!