The first post of 2009

After a couple of months away from the blog I thought it was abut time I sat down and wrote a few words. I can't say I've spent that much time at the plot since early November, namely due to the weather conditions and a lack of time, but behind the scenes things are progressing well and there's plenty to update you with.

The first of this year's crops has already been sown - on 2nd January I sowed the first lot of mammoth 'The Kelsae' onions. They went into moist, pre-warmed compost in a seed tray and were then placed where they could be kept constantly warm. After only 7 days the first green shoots were showing and I now have them by a south facing window, surrounded by tin foil, to maximise the little light avaiable at this time of year. I'm not exactly sure whether I'll be able to keep them in the optimum conditions required for giant onions but I'll give it a try and also plan a second sowing in February as a back-up.

Another major project for this year is to create a line of 45 degree cordon apples and pears where the raspberries currently reside. I'm moving some of the raspberry canes to the fruit area of my plot and will use the posts and wires already in place for the trees. There'll be a fair bit of digging and soil improving before the trees go in to ensure they get the best possible start. To save on cost and to allow me to train the trees as I want, I've gone for one-year, or maiden, whips on MM106 rootstocks. I'm not expecting much this year or next but it's a long-term project and I hope to have apples and pears from August through to at least the New Year. I've chosen some old varieties for early, mid season and late crops - apple varieties include: Beauty of Bath, Laxton Superb, Reverend W Wilkes and Worcester Pearmain and pear varieties include Beth and Beurre Hardy.

The final project I have in mind is to move the shed from its current position to an area at the back of the plot I've rescued from nettles and brambles. In its place will go the new poly tunnel I treated myself to this Christmas! I want this up and ready soon as I plan to use the poly tunnel to get my seedlings off to a good start before the outdoor sowings are done later in the year.

In the coming weeks and months I hope to have regular updates on progress. Fingers crossed we get the cold weather out of the way by mid February so that the soil can be prepared and ready for the first early sowings. My seeds have been ordered, some have already arrived, so in a future post I'll give details of what I'll be growing this year. It's potato day on 24th Janaury so I'll hopefully have a new selection of seed potatoes to try this year... Until the next time.