First real jobs of the year

Been working in the fruit cage today, ground in here not too wet, we cut back the autumn fruiting Raspberries (mostly Joan.J and Autumn Bliss).
Weeded and added some well rotted compost to the soil as a top dressing.

Took the netting off the pond, so we could cut back some of the grasses & oxygenating plants, as they are taking over. 
But the water was so clear, must be working. 
Hoping for loads of spawn this year and plenty of Frogs too.

If you look at last weeks blog, I showed the Broad Beans started in cardboard tubes, well look what a difference a week indoors makes! Will need to take outside to harden off. 
The ones on the left haven't come through yet but wont be long.

So it's been a lovely day today and it was lovely to get started properly on the plot, it's been so cold and wet lately. 
But as the sun came out and the birds were singing it felt like a summers day.

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian 

First Blog of 2014

Still cold and wet, so not much done on the plot this weekend. 
But at least the Onions have survived the winter, nearest, just poking through, the Spring Onions, next the Senshyu Whites and the Red Winter ones.

My no turn Compost doing well. 

Still topping up with kitchen waste (all veg) and muck/straw from our hen house. It's teaming with worms and breaking down nicely. 

The Rhubarb is showing now, this ones the later Victoria variety, the early Stockbridge Arrow hasn't broken through yet, but as it warms up it's sure to catch up. 
We put a good load of manure over them in the autumn so expecting a good crop again in the spring.

Back at home, I planted some 'Super Aquadulce' Broad Beans in toilet rolls a few weeks ago, put them in the greenhouse, but I think it was too cold, so within 2 days of bringing indoors they started to sprout, so I did another 16 in tubes (on the left) so when they get a bit taller I will harden them off in the greenhouse ready for planting outside.

So despite it being cold & wet things are starting to show signs of life.

This year I expect another bumper harvest, got my seeds, awaiting the spuds, so all systems go! 

Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

Thanks for reading/returning. Ian