The clocks move forward this weekend which means one less hour in bed but it also means spring is here and it's time to get planting! The long dark gloomy months of winter are over, the garden has had its rest, the blog has had a bit of a snooze and now it's time to get digging, sowing, watering, planting and writing!
So a few of the old favourites are back -
Tomatoes (cherry and plum)
Chillies (we need to make lots and lots of chilli jam! And need to track down that magic recipe from a good friend)
Onions (not spring onions the other variety - normal onions. Nothing wrong with spring onions though)
Garlic (let's hope they grow this year)
Beetroot (an old favourite)
Radishes (something new!)
And sweetcorn (very adventurous!)
Need to think of something to plant near the trellis by the greenhouse. Last year we planted mangetout which worked well. The year before the runner beans looked very proud in that spot. This year I'm thinking perhaps cucumber or broad beans... or perhaps the cherry tomatoes might enjoy it there? We left them in pots on the deck last year but they were difficult to handle and keep stable and upright so hoisting them onto the trellis might be a good idea..
The caterpillars are already out and about. Over the weekend I discovered that our lovely ground cover plant, the periwinkle has been chewed mercilessly by some big fat green caterpillars. The periwinkle was doing so beautifully and had even flowered in January, probably due to the mild winter, and then suddenly it was viciously savaged by a few caterpillars. Might be time for the potent garlic and chilli spray again!
