An exciting delivery on the allotment as ‘black gold’ arrives by the truck load…
I’ve had a very exciting delivery this week. Others might not feel the same but to me it marks the start of the growing season.
My compost order had arrived, but not just a few bags. A truck filled to the brim was tipped into Teresa’s horse field next to my plot. It slid out like a steaming black avalanche, proper black gold with that earthy smell you only get from good compost.
An exciting delivery on the allotment as compost arrives
If you’ve read any of my previous columns, you might remember me saying that I follow the no dig approach, so rather than digging the soil over, I simply add a layer of compost on top each year, putting the nutrients and goodness back into the soil and letting nature do the rest.
Before adding the compost, I gave the beds a quick hoe, just nipping off the few weeds that have started to show. Then it’s just barrow by barrow, bed by bed, raking it level as I go, each bed only needs a couple of inches on top.
Now the compost is spread out, that’s when I start thinking about a bit of direct sowing. One thing I always take as a good sign this time of year is the weeds starting to come through.
‘A black avalanche of proper black gold’ arrives on the allotment
As frustrating as they are, if weed seeds are germinating, it tells you the soil is warming up and things are ready to grow.
Carrots are usually one of the first things I sow, along with beetroot and parsnips. They don’t really like being moved, so it makes sense to sow them straight where they’re going to grow.
With that fresh layer of compost on top, it’s a lovely seed bed, nice and fine, and easy for those small seeds to get going.
Remember with things like beetroot and carrots, don’t be tempted to sow the whole packet in one go. Sow a little and often and you’ll have a steady crop rather than everything ready at once.
A truck load of compost will help get the crops off to a good start
I’m still sowing plenty into modules as well. Not everything, but quite a bit. Slugs love young seedlings, so if I can get a bit of size on them before they go out, they’ve got a much better chance of coping once they’re in the beds.
Things like lettuce, brassicas and peas have all been going into trays. Nothing complicated, just compost in a tray, seeds on top, a light covering, and then into the hot hut. I bet like me you’ll find yourself going backwards and forwards checking them, waiting for that first bit of green to show.
Some things are happy to go out early, but anything that isn’t frost hardy is still staying put for now. It’s tempting when you get a few warm days, but it only takes one cold night to knock things back.
It’s a nice balance this time of year. Some things going straight in the ground, others getting a bit of a head start under cover, but either way it feels like things are finally getting going.
Feel free to send me your thoughts and questions to my email: Jamieslittleallotment@gmail.com
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