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. But the disasters were beyond my control. The cabbage white caterpillar invasion springs to mind, not to mention onions that simply wouldn't dry off, thanks to the horrifically wet summer we had. This time of year is also perfect for planning how to manage the plot

Buds are breaking and daffodils are emerging — slowly, but surely, spring is doing its thing. But I won't be shedding the thermals quite yet, as it's still a bit chilly first thing. My thoughts are turning towards planting, and I've been tweaking

at this time of year. In previous years, prompted by balmy weather in early spring, I’ve started furiously sowing and planting, only to find that temperatures plummeted shortly after — along with my hopes for the seed I planted.Carrots, in particular, are a

I'm gradually filling up the beds on the allotment. Last week I planted main crop potatoes – a variety called Picasso, which doesn't seem too prone to slugs, and one called Cara, which is cited in catalogues as 'the allotment favourite'. I

What a lovely spring to be growing things. The weather has been pretty near perfect — lots of sunshine and some lovely soft, steady rain to get it all germinating and growing well. Perhaps we've had a bit too much wind, and the temperatures at night

Cavolo Nero, 'Nero di Toscana' a go, instead of the plain old 'Dwarf Green Curled'. 'Nero di Toscana' has a lovely flavour but I wonder if it will flower as profusely next spring?

It's so hot I'm having to water my vegetable crops up to twice a day at the moment. Everyone on the allotment is desperately trying to keep the plants productive and, more to the point, alive.We're lucky to have taps dotted around the site, which

, producing lovely straight, soft beans in copious quantities. (I know I said back in the spring that I wasn’t growing them this year but I collected my own seeds last year and I just had to try them out.) Collecting the beans at the end of the season was so

in general. I know too that I can really get the plot and shed shipshape now before spring strikes with a surge in a month or so's time.But, the thing is, I'm having my bathroom 'done'. Not only is the suite being replaced, but we've knocked a couple of walls

The temperatures might have dropped a bit this week, but that doesn't seem to have slowed down the onset of spring. We have a pair of blue tits setting up home in one of our bird boxes in the garden and the frogs are having a high old time