The fun stuff begins...

Allotment quickie

• Garlic, onions and shallots all sprouting nicely.
• Most of the raspberry canes coming into leaf.
• All broad beans up.
• Lemon balm re-appearing, bay tree hanging in there.
• Pear trees full of buds.
• Leeks getting fatter & taller.
• No sign of potato leaves yet...who can blame them, it's too cold!

The full story
Didn't do much on the farm this weekend, besides some watering, and in an optimistic spirit, erect the poles for the runner beans! Plan is to plant the runner beans direct into the ground in first week of May (which is when we're back from our hols).

That's my partner's son giving us a hand; he's a wannabe allotmenteer and is on a waiting list for a plot in Sussex. You can just make out in the picture that our redcurrant bushes are coming into leaf. And in the background on the left you can see the Really Big Rhubarb. We inherited these crowns, and they appear to be a type that are really big, really early. Haven't seen anything like on the other plots. See close up below.....would love to know the type!

When digging the allotment over for the first time after taking it on in April 2005, I dug up another rhubarb crown and transplanted it under our pear trees. It is only just beginning to appear from under the shovel-full of compost I gave it this February. No comparison really...

The broad beans are really coming through nicely now, but are being attacked by bean weevil (you can tell by the notches chomped out of the leaves - circled in yellow). The older plants will withstand this attack, but the wee ones are more susceptible and there are a few which look a bit touch 'n go.

My partner's son's girlfriend (are you following this?) provided moral support from the relative warmth of the shed, and entertained Treacle, their lovely dog obediently "sit" for the photo!

Those green things sprouting in front of the watering can are leeks that have come up on their own time and again, regardless of being massacred by the strimmer. We also have loads of self-seeded parsnips coming up everywhere. I reckon veg have a mind of their own...