Still got this cold

Just a look at the chillies and they look like they need potting on. John innes number 2 and into 3 inch pots over the weekend.

Help needed

The dreaded cold has arrived and laid me flat on my back. No gardening for the rest of the week I feel.
I ordered new w clips for the greenhouse which arrived yesterday via Ebay. I want to strengthen the polycarbonate sheets following the winds we've had lately which blew out one if the roof sections and moved a few more out of position allowing some water to get in. I have a louvre auto window opener to fit and then I'm ready to start planting.
Get well soon!

Chitting

Put the potatoes out to start chitting.  Swift, Arron Pilot and Rocket. The Swift have some shoots appearing already not surprising as they are an extra early variety.
Popped into the allotment to plant two new rhubarb roots, Timperley Early and livingstone being a late cropper (September to November). First year rhubarb mustn't be picked in the first year and sparingly in the second year to build up the plant for years to come. Once on the third year they can be forced but not for another two years to follow, so make sure you have a few of each varietie to crop all season.

Double digging with Ryan

Wow that was hard work. Spent 3 hrs with my son at the allotment and dug over the existing onion patch. Clearly too wet to dig, needs must and the new allotment won't dig its self. ..

Clean greenhouse

Clean greenhouse with my pond and strawberry patch (created this season) behind the fence.
Everything I grow in the GH is in the ground. Peppers, tomatos and melons this year. Most seeds and salads are started there also.

Greenhouse clean and veg delivery

Jeyes fluid purchased, I cleaned the greenhouse outside in purely as I wasn't going to clean the inside (lazyness) I know but I got into it and cleaned the pond filter two pumps and all patio area around. Pictures to follow.

Mr Fothergills delivered my Rhubarb one early one later, shallots, onions white and normal, reds to follow and potatoes first earlies Swift, Arron Pilot and Rocket. Excellent produce I will post results as and when.

Going to the allotment tomorrow (25/1/2014) with my son (16yr old) to continue the great dig over.... He will want paying may I add.

New blog, new allotment and Happy new year!

I have been growing stuff for 20 odd years but this year I have an allotment to dig over as well as a garden plot with 6x8 greenhouse.

So here goes!

In the garden:
All beds dug over, new strawberry patch planted greenhouse bedded onto base and dug over. Still needs a clean up of the polycarbonate sheets though! I have planted chilli's in a heated propagator  on 3/1/2014 and they took 8 days to germinate these will be potted on in a week or so.

At the allotment:
this is 4mx17m and hasn't been looked after for "6mts" so I'm informed. I have dug over a small section and found Rhubarb (keeping) potatoes that had been in the ground too long by the look of things. A large patch of onions & shallots which will be dug up and composted. these were under a plastic net overgrown with grass. I have filled a compost bin in one visit mainly with grass. There's a section at one end with soft fruit bushes not quiet sure of all but the very prickly blackberry will be dug up and replaced with a thornless variety. My kids will thank me one day!
Due to the rain this afternoon (23/1/1014) I cancelled my next dig lets see what tomorrow brings after work.
I have a delivery from Mr Fothergills in the next few days Rhubarb, onions, potatoes and garlic these need planting , chitting etc.

I will post what I'm growing the varieties and how, when they get planted.