Tales from the allotment – 6th February

Lovely bright day, frosty but the plot thawed throughout the morning. Birdsong lent an early Spring-like feel to the day and a sense of preparation for the growing season.  We emptied old soil from our two largest tubs and sieved fresh soil, ready for carrots, parsnips and other roots.This was a two-person job which will probably lead to feeling muscles in unusual places over the weekend.

This fallow period is a good time to keep on top of the alkanet, uprooting it whilst small. We’re hoping to hold it back from the bed cleared last November. But it’s a survival expert so the battle begins……    The willows are now coppiced, providing stems to strengthen windbreaks. Young bramble shoots (Loch Ness variety) were tied in, and we completed a tidy up before the Winter Pruning Session on Sunday – paths checked for possible trip hazards, labels re-written as required and a crop of Jerusalem Artichokes dug for sale at the event.

Though frosty, the sun encouraged optimism, time to think about this year’s seed sowing. A handy hint from today was to check the viability of last year’s seed by sowing a few on moistened kitchen roll. We also discussed types of seed potatoes to try this year – a mix of Early, 2nd Early and Maincrop. Some are already on order from FEDAGA (Federation of Edinburgh and District Allotments and Gardens Associations). Others, we’ll buy at this weekend’s Bridgend Potato Day.   After a regular check for flatworms (none detected) we headed home.

Jobs for Next Week: Finish pruning and clear up after Sunday’s session; finish replacing and sieving the soil in our large tubs; continue weeding; possibly have a bonfire if weather conditions are in our favour