Looking up my plot towards the access road. The beds can be seen much clearer on this picture. All of the right side of the plot has now been dug and made into further beds. The potatoes are planted where I stood to take this picture.

April 2008. These are my shallots. Not long after I took this picture, I hoed between the rows. This is the first year I have ever grown shallots and I am pleased with how they are growing. They did take a few weeks to sprout but they seem to have caught up now.

Above is the garlic I planted in November 2007. It is really doing well and I had a 100% germination rate. Last year the garlic was very poor but I am putting this down to planting it in February.

These broad beans were also sown in November 2007. Only 50% germinated and Dad grew some more in his greenhouse. In fact, you can see the smaller plants in the lower right of the picture.

Boltardy beetroot and Ambassador pea's. Both will be planted up the allotment in the next week or so. I have to grow the peas in trays as they never seem to germinate on the plot. I assume this could be mice!

 

Where would I be without one of my little helpers! The other one skulked off before I took the photo. Now, if only I could persuade them to catch the mice up the plot!

The broadbeans are growing well and there is no sign of blackfly yet. I was hoeing today (20/05/08) and saw a couple of bees on the flowers.

The shallots are growing well. I've just weeded these as there were quite a few around them. Some of the weeds were small stinging nettles and my hands are tingling.

The garlic is also growing well. I've not had the courage to brush the soil away to see if the bulbs are forming yet. I hope so or I'll have to find a recipe for garlic leaves!