Plenty of work still to be done in the garden
Weatherwise, in this garden, the first three days of Easter could not have been better. Warm, dry overhead and no wind! So, we made most of the opportunity to plant, mow, and sow. A few rows of “Charlotte” potato were planted, a favourite that’s listed as second early but leaves the likes of “Foremost” (first early) standing on our light to medium soil.
As easter was earlier this year, and the weather unpredictable in terms of frost, the shoots of each tuber were positioned 12cm below soil level.
Depending on weather conditions the first shoots could appear above ground at the end of this month as they did in 2023.
Despite the long wait for their emergence, growth really took off thereafter.
In another island bed, cloches had been placed to retain warmth on the spot reserved for early salad crops.
So, leaf lettuce “Salad Bowl” and “Lollo Rossa” were sown into one, and radish “French Breakfast” the other.
While one gardener was planting and sowing the other was digging and mowing.
We have a long, raised border fronted by a drystone wall that supports apples and soft fruits, also ornamental plants, some of which have run their course and need replacing.
Reference the 20-year-old winter jasmine that predictably, resisted the spade.
But this was not a situation for sentimentality, rather hard reality.
Besides which, several young plants were recently “harvested,” propagated via layering from the parent.
The front, back, and lane-side grassed areas were mown, with the spring in a step that sunny Easter days bring.
Returning to check progress at the vegetable planting scene, it was unanimously agreed that a coffee break onsite was long overdue.
However, during this brief respite it became obvious that we had a problem that required immediate attention.
The six island veg beds are interwoven with flagged pathways for year-round access, and some years ago a single chives plant was introduced to each.
Result – self-sown alliums galore in the paving gaps!
Next day’s priority?
Lift and relay the necessary flags, removing offending plants in the process. Chives anyone?