2nd March

• Meteorological spring has started at last, and this is my second favourite photo for this blog:

Full of promise for warm days ahead!

• The focus this week has been on creating new beds on the farm. I have been shipping beautifully rich compost up the field and laying it approximately 15cm deep. These are the 5 beds which have been completed over the last few days and I'm thinking they will be ideal for potatoes. Just need to get woodchips in between the beds to stop the weeds coming through.

A photo of the existing area where I will add organic matter to each bed before planting:

Then the new area with just five more beds to create. The area with sheeting will be turned into beds this time next year, but I am going to try and grow squash there this year by cutting small holes in the sheeting. We'll see how that goes!

Updates on the Vegetables as promised:

Green Kale is ready! We will have limited amounts to start but we can have some available for this Friday.

Purple sprouting is also ready!! This is my favourite picture of the week. Again, on sale for this Friday.

Let's follow with some bad news. Unfortunately, the Cavolo Nero has bolted. The leaves were looking so promising but I'm told that they aren't so nice after the plant has gone to seed.

Savoy cabbage a few weeks to go I reckon, but looking good.

Same for the red cabbage.

Rainbow Chard and Spinach were both overwintered but I cut them both back to ground level after a few were nibbled by the pheasants, and they are bouncing back!

Onions and garlic are getting there slowly but surely!

The first of this years sowings, the radish, are due to be transplanted mid March with a view to harvesting at the beginning of April.

• Main job for me this week is to get the caterpillar tunnel ready. I had to take it down for the winter, but the tomato plants will be looking for a new home soon!