April
Parsnips are in the allotment now after having started them off in paper pots.
I cover them with old bottle tops cut in half to keep the warmth in at this time of year.
Garlic is doing well since I transferred them to the beds
Shallots have started making an appearance in the beds.
Broad Beans
Just started making supports for them
Spring Onions
February
Lemongrass has sprouted in the paper pots.
Started
Leeks in pots inside in the house a few weeks ago and have now moved them to the greenhouse to grow on. Planted Asparagus in seed trays and left them indoors as well.
Garlic is doing well.
January
I have started putting down raised beds so I measured out the allotment and reckon I can fit about 10 8 foot by 5 foot beds in. I was not going to bother with beds but the weeds can break your heart and it just makes things easier to control. I also need to rotate my crops so I now know exactly what I have planted and where.
I did some searching on googleland (smallholders best friend!) and found a builder in Killester who was selling off 8 foot scaffolding planks for a reasonable price. I ended up buying 40 at 3 quid a piece which was great value. The boards I guess are pressure treated so hopefully they will last me a good few years. I reckon that 5 foot wide is about right for the beds as this will give me access from both sides so this means cutting the planks. This leaves me with 3 foot left over. I decided to join this to an 8 foot plank to give me a bed size of 11 foot by 5 foot.
Some of the beds are manured and covered.
