What should we be doing in the garden?

[jansman]

I'm not doing anything up here until April, I start too early every year and lose everything.

Well you do live in the Arctic Circle Lil!
Jokin' aside-it is still too cold even here in the Midlands.

[jansman]

Sowed radishes in the cold frames today.

[Brambles]

Well, the new allotment is semi cleared. I'm putting down some (scrounged) tarps for a couple of months as I don't intend sowing/planting anything til May. I'll only have half of it ready for planting this year, but I'm not in a race, and would rather do it right once than fight with weeds again next year. I'll be sowing tomatoes indoors tomorrow.

[preppingsu]

Well to try and combat the cold soil and to prevent water logged soil like last year I have put together a simple poly tunnel structure over one of the beds.

Last year I made a netting cover using some plumbers piping and netting that prevents butterflies laying eggs etc. It also stopped the pesky pigeons. (The idea was pinched from elsewhere )

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I bought some heavy duty builders plastic and cover the frame securing with cable ties. The ends are easy to open for watering and in the warmer weather to leave open.

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This means I can plant some root crops over the next couple of days, knowing that there will be a little warmth and if we have a wet summer I will be able to keep the soil dryish, to prevent rotting seeds and crops.

I know there are other more stable, elaborate structures out there but this works for us and I didn't spend too much money (which is a big factor in our lives!!)

Apologies if the photos come about on the largish side....

[diamond lil]

Very nice Sue

[Arzosah]

Good stuff! All I'm doing is clearing dead overgrowth from last year, when I couldn't stretch enough to get both hands down to the ground ... now I've regained mobility, I'm catching all these weeds just in time, before the growing season kicks off. Wish it *would* kick off tho ...

[Brambles]

The tomatoes have germinated nicely. The allotment has not seen any action at all. What with Brambles jnr having major surgery, the weather and lastly moving(yay!) I simply haven't had time or energy. I've done almost everything myself as no.1 son is off the fit list, and is likely to be for a little while longer. I will still grow my Indian garden and the tomatoes when they are ready to go out. Luckily I had planned ahead and decided on a system that would take minimal effort to get going.

[jansman]

Brambles, what is your Indian Garden please? I am always interested in new garden 'systems'.

[Brambles]

It's a native American Indian method known as three sisters. The three sisters are beans, Squash and corn. In the traditional garden the varieties grown were harvested at the same time, so you had dried beans, corn for grinding and winter squash.
My American friend put me onto it. He has one set up, and gets bigger crops than traditional growing. I'm going to use the same method for the tomatoes too.

http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html

I've altered the varieties to suit my conditions, as I will be harvesting the corn and beans as summer veg. so I'll be growing a dwarf variety of sweetcorn and french bean, and a winter squash. I have also jiggled the placement of the plants around to suit me.

[Plantiejo]

Nice thread! Good to know what people are doing. I have been pressing on too... Mulch, mulch, mulch! (I do not dig the soil, ever).

In Polytunnel (I feel lucky to have this and find it very useful) - Getting a good crop of Rocket that was started off inside on a windowsill and planted out beginning of March. It has coped well with the 'sheltered' cold. Lowest temp in the tunnel in March was -4.4 C. Land-cress has overwintered and is still producing copiously. Last weekend I transplanted/planted out (in tunnel) Mangetout, Peas, Spinach, Oca, Yams, Red Sorrel, Coriander, Strawberries and Pineberries. The Tarragon has just started growing again, Onions, Garlic, Chives coming along well and the Lemon tree (now planted in the ground for the first time) is showing signs of new growth.

Outside - Elder, Bay, Rosemary, Lavender, Holly and Sloe woody cuttings (taken last Autumn) planted out. Potatoes (Sarpo Mira) laid out into a no-dig bed of Straw. Fruit trees and bushes all showing signs of new growth.

I am concentrating this year on establishing many more Perennials (edible and/or useful) including Bamboos, Elaeagnus x Ebbignei, Horseradish, Comfreys, Nettles, Lemon Balm, Mints and more herbs. In an attempt to establish an Edible Forest Garden and reduce my effort in producing foods and support wildlife.