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DIARY 2012
 
 
They say that gardeners 'never grow old' because they are always too busy
planning for the next season. I hope I am no exception because I am really looking forward to another year
on the plot. Each year brings it's challenges and I am sure this one will be no exception.
JANUARY
 
2011 ended mild and very wet. The plot is very water logged but I am still harvesting leeks, swede, parsnips, sprouts and cabbage; I will be back as soon as it is practical.
 
14th Hampshire Potato Days
Sat 28th & Sun 29th January 2012, 10am - 3pm. Testbourne Community Centre, Micheldever Road, Whitchurch RG28 7JF
For other areas and dates see their website. http://www.potatoday.org/
 
9th of the month and after the heavy rain and strong winds it was a real pleasure to be able to spend a few hours on the plot today in warm sunshine. The purple sprouting needed some attention having almost blown over I have now staked and firmed the ground in but also given them a good watering to settle the soil around the roots again to avoid any air pockets. It is also a good idea to check any young fruit trees that are rocking. Firm the soil and water well even if the ground is wet. It is a good time to tidy up the strawberry beds removing all the dead and yellowing leaves. The blackberry canes seem to be still growing and needed to be tied in again.
29th and having been away visiting family I am now back and itching to get started again; It has now turned very cold and it is far to early for seed sowing but I have put the onion sets in modules in the greenhouse to get them started and potatoes can now be laid out to chit. Keep them in a light frost free position. Greenhouse is fine but they may need covering at night with fleece or even newspapper will do if removed during the day. Some of my frames need renewing and I have put up 2 news ones ready for the first carrots and tomatoes later.
 
I am amazed that Sandra one of the other plotholders has managed to dig out my 2 nut trees. Both of which she is going to transplant on the side of her plot. After all that hard work I hope she is successful and they take.
FEBRUARY
 
Winter has arrived with a vengence. Make sure any tender plants or seedlings are well protected from the falling temperatures. Lift any root vegetables needed for use in the next week or so before the ground freezes too hard and store heeled in or near the kitchen in a shed. And a reminder not to mulch while the ground is so frosty, it will only seal the frost in.
 
Home Page] [A Year in the Life of our plot 2000] [Diary 2001] [Diary 2002] [Diary 2003][Diary 2004][Diary 2005][Diary 2006][Diary 2007] [Diary 2008][Diary 2009][2010] [Diary 2011] [Typical Plots on the Elson Site][Up-dated information for Gosport & the Elson site] [Gosport's Allotment Sites] [Wild Life Area] [Conservation Project] [Badgers] [Ray's Plot] [Links Page][Hints & Tips]