Got up to the plot this morning and got snowed on! Snowed on for goodness sake!! However, dug two lovely long trenches ready for my first early spuds (any advice on when to plant these would be appreciated, I figure as we are still having snow flurries in Essex it is still too cold), and then started to clear the area behind my compost heap. We have the plot down to the stream, but the last 12 foot was a jungle of brambles and there was a ridge, which we butted our compost heap up against. Now we have Chez Shed we need to clear this area, move the heap around and site the shed. As I started cutting back the brambles, I uncovered an old coldframe, totally rotten full of horrible brittle glass, and an old compost heap. The heap was covered in nettles and brambles, but it was so soft that the roots pulled away easily and I managed to fill 3 barrows full of lovely compost. I would say there are another dozen to go so, weather permitting, I will be back again on Friday morning to press on. Very good productive morning! ;D
Ooooooooh, I like that about the compost. Don't you love gifts from unexpected quarters?
Snow turned to rain here but lovely weekend expected so the plans are made........lottie time!
It`s cold and damp here so I am having a day off-spect I will have to prick out another 100 toms and peppers tomorrow.
Why is there never enough greenhouse space at this time of year?
Stephan.
"down to stream" sounds fantastic EJ. I too, am interested in thoughts on potatoes as had prepared the bed for this weekend, but also have the snow issue. . I'm hoping that the digging/bramble bashing that we've been doing since getting our plot in Jan, can now be balanced with some sowing, growing and pest control trials and tribulations
Don`t know whether Essex is any colder than North Staffordshire, EJ. but some of my first early potatoes have been in for 10 days now, and I planted the rest last Saturday - both lots under double fleece, of course. As for snow, I was weeding on my hands and knees under the hydrangeas in a blizzard all morning - shall no doubt suffer for it tomorrow.
Very cold here too EJ, rain and sleety showers. :( You seem to have achieved a lot despite the weather. About planting your potatoes; the tradition here seems to be to plant your earlies on or near Good Friday and we've worked out that there will probably be a full moon then too, so seems appropriate. :) busy_lizzie
had a bit of snow in the outskirts of london yesterday too. Couldn't believe it! I was so unprepared for that cold. Had much too busy a horsey day and was too cold when I got in to do anything in the garden. Was so cold the horse was a lot livelier than usual - made for an interesting ride, especially when the pigeons suddenly flew up from the undergrowth and we charged off in the opposite direction!
I'm gonna have to do round the garden by torchlight when I get in this evening, unless I can leave work early.
Some of you lot are putting me to shame! You are getting on with things but seem to have had the worst of the cold. Cold enogh here, enough to be off putting and I am starting to get seriously behind to boot. Who'd have thought it would be this cold in the middle of march? Snow too! i was over in South Wales yeserday, and experinced a few flakes even there. Crazy!
Note to self: be brave and get on with it!!
I havent sowed anything yet either.
beds are all dug tho ready for slug carnage !!
Wish I could be on the lottie getting snowed on, instead of sitting in a basement in front of a computer screen for 8 hours a day :'(
jams