Beetroot and Cara potatoes

We applied a lesson we learnt last week when we stayed all day and got sunburnt. The lesson was as follows: Start earlier in the day, finish at lunchtime.

We started at 8 a.m., give or take a minute (in my case). Then we really got going:

• Planted 14 late main crop tubers (Cara) in D6
• Transplanted the remaining Little Gems
• Transplanted the remaining nasturtium plants in with the broad beans in A-something and two in with the French beans in wherever
• Transplanted the beetroot in C2, I think (really must take some pictures)
• Discussed a support system for runner beans following a tour of the site

We went home at 1:15 pm.

Later in the day I popped round again to water everything. I sprayed garlic all over the French beans. It was suddenly quite cold. There's rain on the way. It's amazing how the weather forecast is suddenly so utterly fascinating. Hot weather = work. Cold weather = worry. Wet weather = not too much, please. Overcast day = bit of a break.

Tuesday 6 May

We so totally worked our socks off today:

• planted 16 second early potato tubers (Vivaldi) in D5
• planted another five asparagus crowns (looking very dead but you never know ...) in H6
• transplanted 11 broad bean (Stereo) plants in A5
• transplanted five nasturtium plants next to the broad beans, also in A5
• transplanted two Little Gems in C6, one of the raspberry plots

Confused about D5, H6, X527? So are we. But at least it looks as though we're practising crop rotation! And why the nasturtium next to the broad beans? We're also practising companion planting!

We were most chuffed to harvest the following:

• TWO whole portions of baby kale
• ditto rocket
• ditto mixed salad leaves

And more good news. Chef T gave us a wheelbarrow. Said he found it in his shed. Colour: cheerful green. That means we now have a wheelbarrow each.

Sorry, no pictures - just too busy.

More happenings on 1 May

All eight sunflower seedlings are doing fine;









so is the celery;









this nasturtium is looking good;









ditto the morning glory ...









and the Little Gem lettuces are doing okay for the moment.