Monday, April 27

Not quite time to be casting clouts

There is an old saying: ‘Ne’er cast not a clout ’til May is out’. In other words, don’t be too quick to shed your winter layers. There’s some debate as to whether this refers to the end of the month of May, or the point when the hawthorn—often called May blossom—comes into flower. Either way, it’s a reminder of just how changeable our spring weather can be.

The May blossom is beginning to open, but last week it was still a challenge deciding what to wear outdoors. Should I reach for a coat, or would a sweater be enough? It wasn’t so much that the weather changed from day to day, more that it changed from place to place. In the sunshine, it felt pleasantly warm; in the shade, much cooler; and once exposed to the wind, decidedly chilly. So, for now at least, the coats are staying within easy reach.

Regardless of the weather, it was a very busy week in both the garden and on the allotment, though we still managed to squeeze in an afternoon at Lyme Park.




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Monday, April 13

Steady Progess Despite Fickle Weather

Last week brought a little bit of everything—sunshine that hinted at summer, followed by a sharp return to colder, windier days. Just enough to keep us gardeners guessing, and the planting plans constantly under review.

In my previous post, I bemoaned the likelihood that we would fail in our plan to follow the tradition of planting our first potatoes over Easter. With Easter Monday being the final day of the holiday, would we manage a last-minute success?



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Monday, April 6


Easter—ideally Good Friday—is traditionally the time to plant potatoes. This tradition is rooted in folklore, with the belief that planting at Easter brings good luck and a strong harvest. After all, Easter symbolises new life, making it the perfect moment to start thinking about a new growing season.

We had intended to follow tradition and get at least some potatoes in the ground over the holiday.

A Windy Good Friday

Good Friday, however, had other plans. Working at the allotment was far from pleasant—the wind was relentless, and a nearby polytunnel seemed destined to follow Artemis into space. It looked unlikely that any of our potatoes would make it underground over Easter.




NB: Sometimes comments made here rather than on my main blog often are overlooked and languish in a moderation list. Sorry if this happens - I'm honestly not ignoring you