Allotment 15a

I found a wee bulb on the beach, washed up on the tide 6 weeks ago. No idea what the bulb was but took it home & planted it in with some other bulbs in a tub by the front door. I'm delighted that it was a bluebell (English variety I'm hoping) & is now rewarding us with a beautiful flower. Now I'm hoping it is very happy in it's new home & will multiply. He's hoping. It is a thing of beauty.

The tatties are all in. Last to go in were the Arran Victory.  These were developed to celebrate the end of WW1 & I'm told that they make excellent roast potatoes. I know some one that prides himself on his roast tatties so they will be put to the test in a couple of months time. Next year I will have to reduce the amount of potatoes I grow due to crop rotation & space. I'm thinking of growing Pink Fir Apple, a great salad potato. Also on Friday I planted a toilet cistern I was given. This was Des, who recommended it as an excellent mint container. Mint is invasive so needs containment. Love a bit of recycling. New potatoes, dug fresh from the ground, boiled with mint & served with melted butter....bring it on. 

 The first wave of potatoes have gone in today. These are Shetland Black, second earlies. I did want to get them in on Good Friday but was too cream-crackered after night shifts this week. The weather has been warm over the last few days, with rain last night for a few hours. The full moon was Friday.  I also managed to get some shallots in too. Planted between the rows of red onions, garlic and beetroot. I'm worried that I am going to run out of space so am trying to make use of every available space. I planted for parsnips too. This comes on a tape so hopefully I won't have to thin out. A wee trial basis. In the poly tunnel, after conditioning the soil I have planted 2 sweetcorns and 1 tomato. Well watered in and will need regular watering now. Lots of trips to the allotment these summer evenings then.

I've been down on the allotment this morning to plant strawberry plants. These were given to me by the lovely Ros from the kitchen at work. She's a fellow person of Englishness & obviously knows how to grow a good strawberry plant. These ones are almost flowering already. Can't wait to taste their fruit. They have pride of place on the allotment. Now.....better get some straw. And not a split pea or lentil to be seen Ros. I have also planted some dahlias and some left over gladdies, for a splash of color & for cutting for Kipper's Sunset Villa (Home For The Bewildered Humans, Dugs & Pussys). First Crop Of The Year....goes to the rhubarb. This lot is destined to be stewed with honey. Then paired cold with Yeo Valley Greek Yogurt and will keep me going through night shifts next week. The last night shifts of my life!

So Spring has finally arrived on the allotment. All the digging is done with the tattie beds being the last bit. I'll dig this area over again just before planting. The seed potatoes will go in on Good Friday as tradition dictates. Just need some Holy Water to bless them prior to planting. Someone suggested however to use gin as this is Holy Water as well. Easter is late this year so is ideal. Not sure how I will fair following this in future years. Varieties being planted are Shetland Black (Second Early) and Arran Victory (Maincrop). Both are heritage potatoes. Shetland Black is believed to have come to Shetland off the ships of the Spanish Armada. Arran Victory was bred to celebrate the end of the First World War. Prior to tattie planting I'm hoping to get a row of broadbeans and carrots in. The plan was to have these in by now but the recent weather has been cold. Being up in the Highlands of Scotland means I need to be cautious about sowing. The weather ...