First Asparagus spear
Believe it or not these are the hands of someone in their late thirties although you would be forgiven for thinking I am at least seventy by this picture!! Anyway, this (I am VERY proud to say!) is our first ever Asparagus. Sadly as this is the first year of planting we won't be able to eat it as it needs to build strength for the first couple of seasons. I'm chuffed though that it has come through as we planted it in the middle of all the VERY cold weather when it went down to -10c some nights, so I wasn't sure it had survived. I must plug 'Victoriana Nursery Gardens' again for their excellent mail order/internet order service.
With Easter being at a more normal time this year ( very early last year) I decided to jump ahead for planting the first early potatoes. I've tried to stick to planting on the traditional day of 'Good Friday' in previous years but we will be travelling this year during Easter so I decided to do them now as it's been such good weather. I've chosen Belle de Fontenay again for my 'firsts' as they were very good for us last year, good result and taste.
This year I have only put muck in the trenches, last year I also put shredded paper with the idea that it would help conserve water, I'm not sure if it made much difference so I'm only doing muck ... LOTS of muck!
Potato trenchAfter a good week of weather we've been able to get to the plot quite a few times to start the season off and whilst it's still early in the season it's starting to look ok. We've got loads of parsnips still from last year and the Purple Sprouting Broccoli is bloomin' GORGEOUS almost as nice as fresh asparagus tips.
I've also managed to get the first of the peas in which I started off in toilet roll tubes last Autumn at home. I've got several more lots just sown for successional sowing as this year I'm hoping for bumper crops of fresh peas!!! You can't beat the taste of peas eaten straight from the pod.
Peas against Hazel sticks
16 comments:
Glad to see you back in the swing of things on the allotment.
I get just as excited by the first crowns of rhubarb. I've been out in the garden every day inspecting them.
I'm the same Steelkitten! There's something very satisfying about watching a plant springing into life.
Be alert for asparagus beetle!! Like elongated ladybirds, black and brown with white spots. The larvae are like little grey-green maggots. I had an attack last year and didn't notice until they had done quite a lot of damage. And like you, we haven't even eaten any yet, I only planted it the year before last.
Your plot looks beautifully tidy and organised by the way!
Thanks Rachael, I've never heard of asparagus beetle before. The plot is starting to look a bit tidier after lots of work, lots more to do!!
Looks like you've been busy. Your plot is looking great, as usual.
I've got some good news here. I've finally got an allotment!!!
It's condition isn't too bad, lots of weeding and digging to do, but it's not totally overgrown. I'm hoping to get lots growing this year.
Jo.
Great news Jo!! And good that it isn't overgrown, ours was TERRIBLE when we started and it's been hard work but worth it. Hope you have a good growing year!
Glad to see your asparagus is sprouting, ours has only been in the ground just over a week so no sign just yet...
You're looking scarily organised all round in fact... Well done! ;)
I'm surprised the asparagus has sprouted because it was planted during the VERY hard frosts. We might look organised but that is more to do with camera angle of picture!!! :)
Thanks GW.
I've also just created a new blog so everyone can follow my progress.
As always - the neatness on your plot - I LOVE IT!!!!! My hands look like some fishermans hand after a weekend of digging - sooooo attractive for a 32 year old!! Cat x
aw, look at that asparagus! so cute!! good work on getting it through the winter. i hope in the future it gives you lots of good eating. i inherited some on my new allotment which i am hoping to try out as it looks quite well established. if only allotments came with a back history! i will follow your blog with interest :)
Thanks for the nice comments about the plot Cat.
Hope my blog lives up to your expectations Steph, I'm looking forward to following yours, it looks good!
Grand to be getting going again eh
Yep, it sure is Simon!
You know, I've never seen the purple broccoli before... I'll keep checking in, because I'm very curious to see photos of it. Happy gardening!
Hi City Diggity, Broccoli is purple, what most people (and me until I gardened) call broccoli is actually called calabrese which is fatter than 'Purple sprouting brocolli'
Post a Comment