This is the start of the third year at the plot. Last weekend we were digging the soil over ready for planting the potatoes. Unlike with previous years digging we did not encounter any weeds (well, not proper ones like couch and bramble) and there was barely any glass. It was really enjoyable to dig.

This, of course, has come as a result of two seasons of hard work. The plot was a mess when we took it over, but now it is cultivated. The soil is easy to dig; I never thought I would be saying that two years ago!

The sprouting broccoli is in flower and ready to eat. It is the most tender broccoli that I have tasted, much better than the stuff in the supermarket (which is pretty good itself). The seed for these plants was sown at about this time last year, and it has taken a lot of love and care to get the plants to this stage. We really are reaping the benefits of last years hard work, which is a great motivation to get going and invest the time again this year.

The glorious rhubarb is back, and again, this year it is better than ever. We have four strong rhubarb plants which we have looked after for the last two seasons. Careful not to pick to much last year, our self restraint has payed off as the rhubarb is growing like rockets shooting out of the ground.

Allotmenteering is delayed gratification. It’s time for payback.

OK. This is my last post on  the strawberries. We’ve been picking stawberries for about the week now and apart for the odd one which has got a bit too damp, its been a huge success. Unlike most of what I grow, I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of eating strawberries.

Strawberry success

I had the first mini-harvest of the year this week when I pick a few rhubarb stalks. Chopped, sprinkled with sugar and microwaved for 4 mins – nice. We havn’t forced this rhubarb but its growing really quickly. More of this please!