April is here already - diary updated

Parts of this week have tempted us into thinking that the thick sweaters can be packed away but then we have been brought back to reality with some very windy days when it has felt quite chilly. The plum and greengages, on our plot, are loaded with blossom so it is left to fate to decide whether the frost that has been apparent on some mornings will put paid to what promises to be a good crop of fruit.

This week not only have we weeded and rotavated on the plots but have actually got down to sowing seed, namely parsnip – Gladiator - and planting shallot sets – Topper and Piquant - so the season feels to have really started. The garlic plants – Solent Wight - that were started off in pots in the greenhouse have now been planted out.

Most of our vegetable plants are raised in the greenhouse so seeds are sown in pots and trays rather than straight into open ground. Some have been given a kick start in an electric propagator kept in a spare bedroom and are transferred to our cold greenhouse as soon as they have germinated. To read the complete diary entry click here.