I've been following Mr Middleton's advice on how to plant onions this week. He's very sceptical about ending up with produce with a thick neck. Let's face it a thick neck isn't a compliment in any context!
Mr Middleton says: "Great care is necessary with this work. It is important that the plants are not put in too deeply or they will grow thick-necked, too shallow they will be twisted and turned by the wind and fail to get hold".
As my soil still isn't great I give mine a head start in compost trays so that they've got a little root before I plant them out. Hopefully this stabilises them a bit too.
Finally the annual tussle to clear enough ground to get potatoes in is finally over. As ever I've had a good go at planting them in ground that's never been used before. It's always been part of the clearing momentum. I did have to work out some places that were least offensive to crop rotation to get them all in though. It's been so dry for this time of year. The clay soil is starting to get that baked quality...
Following Mr Middleton's instructions is definitely working. I've got more planted out than ever at this time of year. Peas, broad beans, cauliflowers, broccoli and salad crops are all on the go. However he's sent a warning this week
"Never allow a weed to flower in the garden". I better get on with those dandelions.
The images on this blog continue to be very brown. Things are growing though and nothing more enthusiastically than the strawberry plants. As ever I've given plenty away, managed to kill a few by transplanting them and forgetting to water them, but still they keep coming. As well as the four raised beds of their official residence they're also squatting on the brassica bed. Some of them have taken a stride out where I'm hoping to plant turnips too. These will need to move as Mr Middleton says I've got to get sowing these next weeks.
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