What to do this week on the allotment

Thirteenth week: March    

If you not already done so, now is the time to make a sowing of celery. Sow in a box of fine soil, taking care to spread thinly. Keep in a green house and remember that Celery should never be allowed to dry out.

Among the many vegetables that can be planted this week are: Asparagus, onion sets and it is not too late to plant Rhubarb.

If you have spring cabbage in the ground now, it is a good idea to stimulate their growth by hoeing between the rows when ever the state of the soil will permit.

Twelfth Week : March

Vegetable Marrow seeds can now be sown in mild heat and slowly harden off to put put out when the last frost has gone in early May.

Autumn struck cutting of hardy flowering plant can be put out now in their summer beds.

At this time of year “ big Buds” on Black Currant bushes are easily seen. Pick them off and burn them, you will save your self a lot of trouble later on in the year is done now.

Violets that have been wintered in a cold frame may be lifted and transplanted now.

Peas, that have been raised under glass, may now be planted out in a sheltered boarder. Make sure you have staked out the young plants.

If you grow sweet peas, you should now put them out in a cold frame to get them hardy to plant out in April. 

What to do in the 11th week: March

11th week:  March:

Autumn fruiting raspberries, such as Autumn Bless, should be pruned now. Remember  that this type of plant fruits on the old wood, therefor you must cut down to an inch above the soil and give an feed of muck.

Potatoes should be planted on Good Friday, however, since Good Friday is so late this year (21st April) it is  good to perhaps make a start now.Allow two feet between the row and ten inches between in the row.

It is time for half-hardy annuals such as Asters to go in.

Rose pruning is another job for this time of year as well as forking in a good dose of decayed manure.

If you like a Melon seeds may now be sown, along with Cumbers an Tomatoes. They must be kept in a temperature of 60 degrees.

Make a sowing of  Turnips and summer Spinach, also Turnip-rooted Beet for sue in summer salads. Do keep in mind that is not easy to grow good Turnips unless the soil has been worked to a very fine state.

Herbal First Aid Kit

Herbal First Aid Kit

When we consider putting together a first aid kit, most of us will assemble the usual over-the-counter products such as insect repellent, pain relief, stomach upset treatments etc. However, herbs have been used for centuries to treat an enormous variety of ailments and their importance for healing should not be forgotten.

Many herbal remedies have seen a resurgence in recent years as people are looking for natural remedies, especially for minor ailments. Herbs such as Lavender, Chamomile and Peppermint are now frequently used medicinally to treat conditions such as insomnia, indigestion and stress. Many herbs and herbal remedies are easy to source and very effective. So what better place to keep these all natural medicines than in an herbal first aid kit.

Some herbs are best used in essential oil form in a first aid kit. One such oil is Lavender. This oil provides relief from headaches as well as relief from minor burns, scalds and sunburn. It has a long established tradition for healing and comfort, generally regarded as the most versatile herb in healing. Add 2-3 drops to a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil and massage into the temples or nape of the neck for a headache or directly onto the skin that has been affected. It can also be used as an insect repellent as well as on insect bites and stings. It has very effective anti microbial properties and can be used on cuts and grazes.

Tea Tree is another extremely useful herbal oil to keep in a first aid kit. The properties and uses of tea tree have a long history of use by the Aboriginal people of Australia. This oil is unusual in that it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses. It can be used to treat cuts and grazes, as well as warts and cold sores. It is also an effective treatment for head lice, acne, dandruff and insect bites. If diluted it can also be used as a mouth wash to combat bad breath.


Witch Hazel is another multi-purpose herbal remedy for a first aid kit. Distilled witch hazel can be used on minor burns and sunburn. Use to staunch the flow of blood from wounds using a soaked swab of cotton wool. For sprains and bruises, keep an ice-cube tray of witch hazel in the freezer, but make sure it is clearly labelled.

As well as keeping ready prepared oils and lotions for your herbal first aid kit, raw ingredients from the kitchen store cupboard such as garlic, ginger, and herbal teas provide some of the most beneficial first aid remedies.

A stock of dried herbs or herbal teas is a useful addition to a first aid kit. Chamomile is well known for it's calming properties and taken just before bed can aid a good night's sleep as well as used for shock and nervous upsets. Peppermint will help to ease indigestion, travel as well as morning sickness and stomach upsets. Ginger is a very natural way to ease nausea as well or prevent travel sickness. This can be kept for some time if you buy crystallized ginger. Garlic is highly antiseptic and if you can stand the odour, rubbed onto acne and other infected spots can be very beneficial. Slices of a fresh onion placed on insect stings can bring rapid relief. It can also be used to relieve nettle rash or hives (urticaria) caused by food allergens.

Common sage is an herb of ancient repute, valued not only for it's culinary flavors but for it's medicinal properties too. It has been used for a variety of disorders including respiratory infections and digestive complaints. It is also believed to strengthen the senses and the memory.  The leaves have a special affinity with the mouth and throat. A weak gargle/mouth wash can be made for sore throats, tonsillitis, mouth ulcers or gum disease.

When making up your herbal first aid kit always ensure you know what the herbs are for and how to use them. While most herbs are harmless, there are some that should not be used by pregnant women or children. Herbs are an extremely useful natural aid to day to day ailments, many of the ingredients you will probably already have in your cupboard or even your garden. Some times this can be faster and more available than over-the counter medicines.

Grow what we need

We grow what we need:
                                      What are we going to do with more ?

Where is Cabbage from?

We are told by Botanists  that all of the Cabbage family, which consist of, not only every variety of cabbage, Red, White, and Savoy, but all the cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and brussels sprouts, have their origin in the wild cabbage of Europe (Brassica oleracea), a plant with green, wavy leaves, much resembling charlock, found growing wild at Dover in England, and other parts of Europe. This plant, was mostly restricted to the sea-shore, and grew only on chalky or calcareous soils.

 The cultivated cabbage was first introduced into England by the Romans, and from there nearly all the kinds cultivated in this country were originally brought. 

However, this is strange because the plant was from England in the first place

Just a growing note: Make sure you cover your Goseberrys with a net because little love to feed off the buds.

Growing Veg

Formerly it was the custom for gardeners to invest their labours and achievements with a mystery and secrecy which might well have discouraged any amateur from trespassing upon such difficult ground. 

"Trade secrets" in either flower or vegetable growing were acquired by the apprentice only through practice and observation, and in turn jealously guarded by him until passed on to some younger brother in the profession.

 Every garden operation was made to seem a wonderful and difficult undertaking. 

Now, all that has changed. In fact the pendulum has swung, as it usually does, to the other extreme. 

Often, if you are a beginner, you have been flatteringly told in print that you could from the beginning do just as well as the experienced gardener.


This garden business is a matter of common sense; and the man, or the woman, who has learned by experience how to do a thing, whether it is cornering the market or growing cabbages, naturally does it better than the one who has not. 

Do not expect the impossible. If you do, read a poultry advertisement and go into the hen business instead of trying to garden. 

I have grown pumpkins that necessitated the tearing down of the fence in order to get them out of the lot, and sometimes, though not frequently, have had to use the axe to cut through a stalk of asparagus, but I never "made £500 in ten months from an eggplant in a city back-yard.

" No, if you are going to take up gardening, you will have to work, and you will have a great many disappointments. 

All that I, or anyone else, could put between the two covers of a book will not make a gardener of you. 

It must be learned through the fingers, and back, too, as well as from the printed page. But, after all, the greatest reward for your efforts will be the work itself; and unless you love the work, or have a feeling that you will love it, probably the best way for you, is to stick to the grocer for your food.