Swede seedlings are through

But were fast becoming slug brunch. Working along the line they were. Might have to get some standby modules sown. Now I remember why I don't sow direct ! Thinned the survivors and surrounded them by a ring of animal friendly pellets and put the fleece back over.

Got the bean trellis up. Cheated and used the one from last year that I'd taken down intact. Slung some cardboard up the centre as a mulch to keep the weeds down.

All the Sutton broadies now germinated.

Beetroot has avoided being munched so far.

Planted out sweetcorn and peas and surrounded them with fleece wall to keep off the chill. Covered the whole bed with the remains of the multipurpose compost with JI as a mulch.

Tatties only just coming through. The ones on the plot are still bigger by far.

Uncovered another of the beds intended for the courgettes. Gave it a bit of a fork and turnover. One bed left to work on. The comfrey plant at the back of the plot is growing nicely, may steal a few leaves to sling in the bottom of the courgette holes along with a handful of manure.

Got a hose rigged onto the tap and filled the butts.

Had a bit of a weed round everything.

Garlic doing ok but a bit yellow at the edges.

Sunflowers starting to germinate under their cloches. Chard not put in an appearance yet.

Painted plot number on watering can and wheel barrow in an effort to remind the people that want to borrow them where to bring them back to. Lost two sun tunnels now and a watering can. You don't mind if people want to borrow, but at least have the decency to return them after they've finished. Got to buy myself a new watering can for the plot now !

Weather was overcast and large amounts of drizzle and blooming cold. Sun is out this morning but there's a 10k race on which will prevent me getting into the site until after lunch. That will give me chance to do some watering on the plot ............ and to go and get a new watering can ! The beauty of the drizzle was that nothing needed watering. Don't suppose the rain got very far down though.

Had a trim round the front edge flower beds and have promptly knackered my wrist again. Need to build some arm strength up. Got the salt out for the slugs which was fun ! Poor pansies are more or less stumps !

No idea what I'm going to plant to go over the arch this year as I didn't sow any sweetpeas until very late, and those that were donated by a lady at work have gone on the plot.

Have got nasturtiums (hey - arch idea ?), poached egg plant, turnips, marigolds still to plant out that are sitting back at home, along with the courgettes and beans. Had to resow some purple teepee dwarf beans as the majority had refused to germinate. May sow some extra runners direct as well (busily searching out packets now) .............

Hi ho, Hi Ho, it's off to B&Q I go.

xx