Of all garden tools, choice of hoe is very personal
The last traces of winter have been cleared away, seeds have been sown and potatoes are showing an abundance of green foliage at the top of their ridges. Courgettes are always a bit slow to get going after the transition from greenhouses and windowsills to the plot, but even they are perking up.
There are swathes of bare earth on most plots, leaving room for all the crops to fill their allotted area over the summer. I always have to remind myself that squashes need a lot of space as they will eventually romp all over the place.
From a distance plots look fine, but on closer inspection few of us can boast one which is entirely weedfree. Now is the time to make regular and frequent use of a hoe. Of all the garden tools, choice of hoe is very personal.
The shaft needs to be long enough to keep the blade at the right angle to the soil so it slices off the weeds as they emerge and leaves them to wither on the surface.
Traditional wooden shafts are attractive but can be heavy.
It’s definitely a case where “try before you buy” is necessary. For more delicate weeding between rows, I reach for my hand-held razor hoe.
These nifty little tools come in right and left-handed models. Whatever hoe you use, the blade needs to be kept clean and sharp.
There are a few weeks before harvesting starts in earnest with the excitement of digging up the first early potatoes followed by picking strawberries.
Meantime, with the relaxation of travel restrictions, we can treat ourselves to one or two outings further afield while nature takes its course on our plots. This year is the 90th anniversary of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.
Garden owners, with an army of volunteers, open their gardens to the public raising funds for charity. Armed with the Gardens Scheme book, see below, I’ve begun planning which ones to visit.
The book lists gardens by region with brief descriptions of the joys in store.
I’m noting in particular the ones which advertise kitchen gardens and potagers. Even some allotment sites are participating.
Quite apart from the pleasure of admiring what’s growing, there’s always something to be learned from looking at other people’s cultivation methods and chosen varieties. There’s sure to be someone about happy to answer questions.
Many of the gardens will also have tempting plant sales and refreshments.
I always have to remind myselfthatsquashesneed a lot of space
Exceptional Scottish Gardens Open for Charity 2021, www. scotlandsgardens.org