March is the month it all begins. Seed packets are shaken out, plans are made and the sowing gets under way.
Almost all of the previous year's harvest is exhausted, there are just two or three leeks left, a little kale and some spinach.
I've spent some time weeding, forking over the soil and spreading manure. The gooseberries, blackcurrants and roses are starting to grow again. The rhubarb is unfurling and the broad beans are slowly making themselves at home.
The windowsills are filled with seed trays - tomatoes, chillies, courgettes, squashes, popping corn, leeks, sunflowers, rudbeckia and larkspur. And today I sowed the first seeds into the soil itself. French breakfast radishes. It's time.
Exciting! I love watching your allotment progress. I can't wait to see how it goes this year.
ReplyDeleteLovely set of photos. The season is starting to make me feel excited after what feels like an inordinately long winter. Hope you have a lovely weekend xx
ReplyDeleteoh I am so behind with my little veg patch........
ReplyDeletehappy weekend x
We'll definitely be racing out of the starting blocks soon.
ReplyDeleteLooking good and great photos. X
ReplyDeleteExciting! Gardening is happening here, too, but at the moment my children are planting the flowers and shrubs we bought at the nursery yesterday. I am especially excited about the Hyacinth bushes! We have some vegetable seeds planted under a grow light inside, too...the seedlings are getting too lanky I fear, but we still could get harmful frost...so we impatiently wait for a bit warmer temps :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for all your growing things! I am "encouraging" my husband to build me a raised bed. I want to grow my own zucchini and carrots and potatoes and peas! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteEven though it is the hungry period with nothing much available as yet it is so hopeful too as we begin to see the unfurling of things and to look forward to the crops which we hope will flourish later. Love the mosaic.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Bring on the sun!
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Bring on the sun!
ReplyDeleteYay! I have been busy weeding and tidying up too. I have the seed packets ready. Beetroot and spinach will be first I think - any day now!
ReplyDeleteHey Cj,
ReplyDeleteHooray for the allotment. Marc is out buying stakes for the fencing around little plot. I have loads growing in the greenhouse, but I do like the idea of popping corn. I will have to seek some out. And flowers too. Oh yes, I shall have flowers on the plot.
Leanne xx
You look very organised - and everything looks much further on than here - there's nothing of my rhubarb (I'm wondering if it has died) and gooseberries are only just showing the tiniest green - mice have been in my seed packets - and snails who have left paper poo in curls everywhere -do you get that?
ReplyDeleteIt's look very neat, your rhubarb is head of mine I think everyone's is as mine is just staring to poke through! Mmmm fresh radishes, I'm going to sow a few into a pot of soil & stick them in the greenhouse. x
ReplyDeleteI will watch with anticipation as your seedlings start to grow! I've planted a few herbs this year which seem to be surviving but I have plans for some veggies too....apparently courgettes are pretty foolproof so I'm going to start with those! X
ReplyDeleteA nice post which had me nodding and smiling. I think that most, if not all, gardeners will be saying that it's about time!
ReplyDeleteHappy gardening. Flighty xx
Great isn't it CJ.. I have sown lots and my greenhouse is filling up rapidly... still have more to sow too.. love it :o) xx
ReplyDeleteIt all looks very tidy and organised on your plot. It's such an exciting time of year when everything starts growing again and the seed packets are finally opened.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. You really put me to shame - I STILL haven't got around to tidying out the greenhouse! I really must get myself organized! x
ReplyDeleteWe are hoping to sow lots of seeds tomorrow we didn't want to leave them on their own devices for a week! It will be strange to have the benefit of a greenhouse this year. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteIt's all go go grow in the garden, March is a busy one! Lovely to see all the little seedlings popping up, bring on some more sunshine and planting! Katie x
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me I need to get a shake on if I want to grow anything this summer! Bring on the sunshine :)
ReplyDeleteYou must be warmer than we are in the hills of North wales! Not ready to sow outside yet. Wonderful to see the year starting.
ReplyDeleteLooking good, it's always such an exciting time of year, getting everything tidied after winter, starting to grow plants and seedlings, I love it.
ReplyDeleteHappy gardening! :-) Looking forward to seeing all the goodies in your garden.
ReplyDeleteSpring is brilliant isn't it:) Can't wait to see the fruits (and veggies) of your labours :) xo
ReplyDeleteThe shiny broad bean leaves look great in the sun CJ. It's raining here today so no allotment for me. When did you sow your squashes and courgettes? I'll wait a week or two before doing mine but you're prbably a bit warmer down there.
ReplyDeleteJust last week, on the 23rd of March. They're not up yet, so hopefully by the time they're a decent size it will be warm enough to put them out. I'm very unscientific though, I just tend to hope for the best.
DeleteIt is an exciting time when you can get your hands back in the dirt and start planting. Beautiful photos today.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
Gawd that looks lovely and neat all waiting for you're planning and preparations. I've only just started thinking about seeds, but then it is so much more colder than I'm use to.
ReplyDeleteYour efforts are putting me to shame, CJ! My plans are suffering the domino effect - I can't start any seeds until I can clear my balcony of overwintered biennials. I can't clear the balcony until I have space to put those biennial flowers. I can't make a space until I've shuffled the existing raised beds around. I can't shuffle until I've fenced round the veg patch garden in my latest attempt at keeping out foxes and cats! Still, the fencing is nearly finished and a friend mentioned that I could use her greenhouse … but it needs clearing, tidying and cleaning!! Help! I need more hours in the day! It is ever thus in March/April. Caro x
ReplyDeleteSoon you will have all sorts of new things growing and ready for eating! xx
ReplyDeleteSpring really is the most exciting time of the year! So much fun planning and thinking and full of promise. Sure feels good to get my hands in the dirt again! Love your allotment!
ReplyDeleteIt still feels like I'm holding my breath and waiting for Spring to really kickstart though there are small signs appearing. Lovely set of photographs, certainly a little piece of spring m'dear.
ReplyDeleteJohn
very exciting to see it all beginning!
ReplyDeletei have a sneaking feeling that i'm lulling myself into a false sense of security....the persistence of winter weather isn't helping....and suddenly spring will be here and i'll be caught napping with nary a seed sown....
of course, i'm still waiting for my seeds to be delivered. so there's that.
xo
AMEN! It is time! And with that HAVE A BLAST my garden friend! Beautiful shots and a beautiful time of year! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteIts exciting to share along in your allotment plans. Its lovely to think of those seedlings poking their head through the soil! Looking forward to seeing your plans trough to fruition! J9x
ReplyDeleteYour allotment looks tidy and ready for action CJ! xx
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! You've been working hard, I see. I'm looking forward to sowing some seeds this holiday too :)
ReplyDeleteCathy x
Sounds as though you're well on top of everything CJ, I wish I could say the same. Propagation is the best part of growing for me, love it when those tiny seedlings appear. Looking forward to following your allotment this year. Jane xx
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds absolutely marvellous (with the exception of radishes for breakfast, that would just be wrong ;) ).
ReplyDelete