Thigmomorphogenesis

Last year I put my climbing beans out too early and they froze... almost literally. With the health of my broad beans already precarious, I'm being cautious with all seedlings this year. A few warm days doesn't mean it's summer. Seedlings have taken over every window ledge, being hardened off on the balcony by day, inside by night.

I first read about Thigmomorphogenesis in Emma Cooper's The Alternative Kitchen Garden A-Z. It's the principle that plants grow differently when not exposed to the wind. So, if your seedlings can't be put out, blow on them and brush your fingers through them. It'll help them become stronger and stockier before they face the outside world.

Let Nature Take Its Course

The broad beans, sown in three stages for a lengthy crop, looked so promising. Then their leaves took on a new scalloped appearance. The diagnosis: Bean Weevil. I acted in haste. A too strong solution of washing up liquid was sprayed liberally, mid-day. Out burst the sun. The combination of burning rays and not diluting the solution properly severely scorched the leaves, damaging them more than the weevils would probably ever have. If you want to spray, wait until the cool of the evening, or do so in very early morning - it's also kinder to pollinators such as bees and butterflies who will be hard at work during the daytime. Without pollinators we could starve...

Cutting Edge at the Allotments

Grass paths and edges spilling on to your plot? Inspections about to take place? Don't ruin your neighbours' peace with the scream of a strimmer. This pocket-sized Swiss knife sharpener will fix your sheers, secateurs, scissors (and carving knife). An allotmenteer's must-have, so just click on the link. 4 friends have already put in orders after seeing mine.

Allotment Show(s) off

Moving plots in spring meant moving bulbs in full bud. I proceeded with some care, but they proved to be unmoved by moving. Bulbs are resilient and the proof of their adaptability was that three weeks later they won First Prize (a certificate, two gold stars and a coin) in London's oldest Horticultural Society Spring Show - Mixed Spring Flowers class. Don't forget to pop in a few anenome corms next autumn - or almost any time. I have best success with 'De Caen', the single flowers in a variety of vibrant colours. They will give you months of show, pick brilliantly, take up modest space and mine have survived two harsh winters scarcely bothering to bow their heads.

Crocuses in the allotments (and at Kew Gardens)

While I'm struggling to get the plot in order, I am awe-struck by the creativity of my plot neighbours. A & A have created a meandering crocus walk, feet from their veg. It may not be the Reader's Digest crocus carpet of 1.5 million crocuses at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew but it's just as magical.

You can't all visit our secret allotment haven, but you can visit Kew. Don't miss their crocus carpet - it's a real sight.

www.kew.org

Plot progresses as Chelsea Flower Show approaches!

So...thanks to the skill and generosity of fellow allotmenteers, the roof is mended by a surveyor (obviously), W put the guttering up, the current water butt is a neighbour's discarded dustbin. Round at the front, bulbs and plants all transported from previous plot, shallot and onion sets planted and netted, broad bean seedlings still on window ledge at home. Lavender hedge will hide the compost heap and incinerator.

Pot Luck: A few potatoes in bottomless black container also behind lavender.

I've decided my deadline for getting the plot decently shipshape is the Chelsea Flower Show - talking of which, for tickets or details, check it out on

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2010

or call 0844 209 0357

I'm hoping to get lots of ideas for creative planting and design!

The Plot Deepens

Hot news from the plot. I'm abandoning my perfectly formed half-plot for a whole one which already has its own hut (castle to me) with view of a Palace. How many of you can boast that? It may not look much...spot of bother with the roof, the grounds have an air of abandonment, but watch this blog and see what a spot of TLC can achieve in a few months.