Let's get this show on the road

I braved the cold and took a trip up to the lottie yesterday, first visit since before Dad passed away. The sun was shining, although it was perishing cold. Gales were forecast for 3pm but I needed to get some fresh air and spent a nice hour just wandering around.

All in all it looked quite nice and tidy. Did a wee bit of clearing up and picked a couple of swedes that have lasted well with only a couple of nibbles here and there. There's still about half a dozen left, one is promised to the M-I-L when she gets back from her week away in the sun and one is going to a chap at work who has professed in interest in my crops.

I forked over a few of the beds and was pleasantly surprised them quite loose and crumbly. I was even more pleased that the tools were still where I left them.

So now the planning starts. What to grow this year ? I've not concentrated enough over the last season and have forgotten most of what I had learned, so it will really be starting from scratch again.

I want to try sweetcorn again. What I did manage to harvest last year, was lovely, sweet and tender. Trouble is half the cobs weren't pollinated properly, so I'm going to read up on what I can do better.

Peas. I was well happy with last years crop but need to think about how to keep them from falling all over the ground. Broad beans which I have learned to love, so more of them.

My runner beans suffered through lack of attention and timely picking, so I think it will just be a small run this year.

More swedes as I seem quite successful with them. And I'll try the white beetroot again. Didn't managed to get anything edible last season but that was purely down to lack of attention and duff spacing. I still like the idea of a kitchen that doesn't resemble an abbatoire, so they'll definitely be on the list.

The seed catalogues have started dropping through the door so I think that will be a job for today.

More bad weather forecast for today, but I've got loads of planning to do, so am really going to extract my digit and get the brain back in order !

Can't wait to start sowing and get back into the saddle again. Spring is only just round the corner ............. isn't it ? :-D

Hope you're all well, and I hope to be able to spend some more time on the blogs this year. Neglect will not be tolerated.

xxxx