Allotment Vegetable Growing in March 2005

Click on the photos to pop-up a larger image

The Merry Tiller

The Merry Tiller
18/03/2005

4 horse power Briggs and Stratton engine drives the powerful tines to break up the soil. Complete with adjustable handles, both up and down and sideways, the classic rotovator.

The gardeners version of a Harley Davidson! My Merry Tiller

 

The Manure Mountain

The Manure Mountain
19/03/2005

Things are really starting to develop - final soil preparation before planting and seedlings demanding to be re-located to their final homes.

One of the plotholders kindly organises deliveries of turkey litter, which go amazingly quickly.

Tony from plot 4 considers it whilst holding his aching back after a rotovating session

Soil Improving

Soil Improving
19/03/2005

Turkey Litter on the comfrey bed with a pile on the potato bed, plot 5.

The comfrey is one of few plants tough enough to accept raw poultry manure without damage.

Once rotated in the manure will be diluted and distributed on the potato bed, so not as strong.

Looking down the allotment plot

Looking down the allotment plot
19/03/2005

The broad beans hidden below the surface, then a pile of turkey litter on what will be the potato bed, which still has leeks in the middle.

It's about time for the leeks to come up and at least be heeled in, freeing space and stopping them from attempting to seed.

The sun setting behind the trees and me for home.

Transplanting Tomatoes 1

Transplanting Tomatoes 1
20/03/2005

The seedlings have left the heated propogator in their small pot and the 6 cell half seedtray module is filled with potting compost.

You can see they've been left too long as they've grown very 'leggy' but that won't be a problem as they'll be deep planted to encourage root growth anyway

Transplanting Tomatoes 2

Transplanting Tomatoes 2
20/03/2005

Carefully separating the seedlings and dropping them deeply into a dibbed hole in the module.

Selecting the best along the way maximises the yield per plant in the end.

Transplanting Tomatoes 3

Transplanting Tomatoes 3
20/03/2005

The tomato seedlings in their new home. Just add water and watch them grow.

From the modules they'll go into 3" pots and thence to their final home.

There's a lot on the site on Growing Tomatoes

The Nursery or spare bedroom

The Nursery or spare bedroom
20/03/2005

At this time of year the spare room becomes a plant nursery with two heated propogators and a number of unheated ones as well.

The seed trays sit in all sorts of containers from an old cat litter tray to baking trays to stop the water going everywhere.

My bedroom or nursery overspill

My bedroom or nursery overspill
20/03/2005

The south facing windowsill doubles as a nursery for the tomato seedlings.

You can see they are being drawn to the light and need the more enveloping light in the greenhouse.

Greenhouse getting full

Greenhouse getting full
20/03/2005

The potatoes have been moved into the shed on a makeshift table to chit.

The staging is full of seedlings.

Outside coldframe

Outside coldframe
20/03/2005

The coldframe has brassica and leek seedlings in, hardening off with the vents open day and night in this mild weather.

The extra plastic laid on the top is to prevent the cat breaking the glass again. Amazing how she was not hurt the first time she crashed through the lid.

Prev >> February 2005: | Next >> April 2005

Check out the Allotment & Garden Diary to see what we're doing now and our Monthly Growing Guides

Monthly Free Newsletter

Now Read the Book!

Our Growing Books

Our bestselling books for growing success!
More Information
FREE SEEDS SPECIAL OFFER