My Garden

Another gorgeous day, albeit cooler than the roasting weekend temperatures - everything is growing before our eyes, and watering is a constant demand already. Covering our hardening off plants in the cold frames with green shade netting seems to help stop them wilting & keeps them cooler.

Our Veg Day last Wednesday was a huge success, with loads of interested visitors and lots of people very keen to start veg growing.  Most striking were the questions about some of the most basic growing techniques - a timely reminder not to take a level of knowledge for granted!  Most topical was how to water small seedlings without washing them flat.  First of all you will need a fine rose (the sprinkling attachment on the end of the spout) on your watering can - this governs the size of the water droplets.  Ensure the sprinkling side is facing upwards, then start pouring before you are above the tray of seedlings to get an even flow, and don't stop until you are no longer over the tray - otherwise there is a tendency for the spout to dribble.  Have a look at the picture in my gallery - hope it is helpful

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With the fantastic warm sunny weather over the last week or so, things are really getting going & we could easily fill twice the time we have each day!  Apart from keeping up with the sowing and planting, we're frantically preparing for next week's Veg Day - Get Growing!  on Wednesday, 11 April.  Its part of the RHS's Veg Year activities, related to the Grow your own Veg programme, and  there will be lots of veg-related talks and demos, a product corner (including a variety of raised beds on show) and children's activities.  You could also come and visit the 3x3 plot, and the kitchen garden in general!  With all this work to do, we didn't really need the diversion of chasing young rabbits from a burrow found in the kitchen garden...

Back to the 3x3 plot, the material that was being hardened off in the cold frames has now been planted out  - very satisfying as the beds begin to look as if something is happening!   Broad bean, peas, kale, spinach and lettuce have all gone out, and I've sown some beetroot, oriental leaves, more carrots and Paris silverskin onions.  The beetroot has been sown in groups again, with lettuces planted in between.  All these leaves can be harvested as cut and come again, ie. a few leaves from each plant at a time to make up your salad.  Don't take too much off the beetroot or the roots won't get enough energy to develop properly

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