Last week on the allotment

The blossom on the apples and cherry is quite splendid and elsewhere the cherry blossom in the parks is said to be the best it has ever been.
Today the peas and beans brought on at home were planted and seed sown to give succession cropping. The beds with green manure were cut down and dug in and made ready for use and weeding continued round the plot to keep the veg beds ready for use.

The first leaves of the early potatoes are starting to appear so they were covered with soil to protect them in case of late frosts.

Meanwhile with the aim of always having a crop to pick every week of the year, we need to start thinking about the winter brassicas and the kale, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbages have been sown. This period in May/June is known as the Hungry Gap but there are still green vegetables – chard and spinach – on the plot to pick.

We are moving the compost bins to a sunnier spot to help speed up the composting process and another was moved today. The grass has grown quite a bit since last week and if it continues at this rate, No Mow May may end for us quite early but in the meantime we can keep the edges cut back to stop encroachment on the raised beds.

Jobs for next week
Sow carrots beetroot turnips, parsnip
Trim back grass edges
Watering of new plantings if no decent rain