March Update

It is all to easy to fall in to the trap of speculating the worst possible outcome just witnessing the arrest of spring  and to feel the bitter chill to which everything is being subjected to. Of course , the situation could be worse if, like March 2013, we had experienced an unusually  warm period  earlier to be followed by damaging cold now. Unlike March 2013 the soil is far from short of available moisture – another ‘plus’. Provided we are not in line for further heavy rain the soil water  will continue draining away quietly thus improving the availability of oxygen for the rooting systems when, eventually, a wake up call  is received above. Ongoing worm activity beneath the snow will contribute greatly.

Pruning continues. Apple buds are visibly breaking , the quince could be described as ‘bursting’ – much later than recent years.

The average date for ‘full bloom’ for apples here is 5th May. This may be achievable with the effect of the rising sun once we are clear of this thick mass of cold,moist  air. High pressure at the end of April presents warm sunny days with the penalty of clear skies at night. The North Sea will take time to warm this year.

Our Dutch Light Structure is almost ready to receive french bean plants second week of April closely followed by tomatoes at the other end.Carrots are germinating. Outside onion sets, garlic, parsnips and broad beans are in.

Will it be a ‘good’ year? Don’t know, but it is probable that the effective length of the growing season will be shortened by this late cold. That is about as far as we will speculate for now!

Our new veg growing area, before the snow!

We’ve pre-emptively fleeced the greenhouse so we don’t get caught out by a cold spring.