Rekha’s allotment: from plot to plate
It’s the quietest month on Rekha’s plot but there’s plenty of indoor sowing to be done, plus a recipe to spice up kale
Biting winds may announce the arrival of the coldest month of the year on my allotment, but that does not stop me from heading outdoors well layered up and ready to carry on my gardening tasks. I can tolerate the cold February weather as I prep my veg beds, just so long as the rain keeps away!
Look outdoors and there are few signs of new life on the plot yet, but in the greenhouse it’s a different story. The recycled tub I sowed with peas just a few weeks ago is showing signs of new growth. I also evicted the onion seedlings from my own house and into the greenhouse to give the pea seedlings some company.
However, the biggest sign of new life is at home on a spare table, which I’ve covered with a roll-out heat mat. It’s packed with seed trays nurturing aubergine, chilli and sweet pepper seedlings, just peeping through the seed compost.
On my cold kitchen windowsill sit cardboard egg-boxes, which are also showing signs of life as the first early variety of seed potatoes are chitting away. Next, the seed box comes out in readiness for the March sowing session. It might be cold outside, but it’s still a hive of activity in my gardening world.