Planting.

I'm slowly getting over the idea that I have to dig the entire allotment and plant the entire thing. I've got three beds dug (earmarked for potatoes, beans and "luxuries"), so I've decided to take advantage of the sunny break between blizzards to actually plant some stuff. Hopefully, seeing some stuff growing will inspire me to further horticultural heights...

So, today I planted my first early potatoes (organic "Colleen"s), some asparagus crowns (which look a lot like dead and dessicated squid, I hope there's still some life in them) and whole head of garlic (bought for planting, rather than just some sprouty ones out of the vegetable basket which is what I did last year, but didn't get much in the way of results from).

All of the seeds in my propagator are up, including the theoretically "difficult to germinate" lipstick peppers, so I'm considering potting up what's there and using the propagator to get some more stuff underway. First of all, though, I need some more potting compost, as mine is ... not ready. Either twiggy or slimy, and most of the time both. I need to get more men to widdle in my compost bin. Be aware if you visit, I may require a donation... I also need to get with the origami and make some more newspaper pots, which I did last year, and worked fantastically well. Forget buying peat pots - newspaper pots are definitely the way to go. Free (if you either read a newspaper or get a free one delivered) and, evidence suggests, very good for the plantlets within.

I may go out to an independent garden centre in search of compost later :-) But first I need to get all of the cables, musical instruments and microphone stands out of my boot...