2025 - What I did today

Put in an early order for 100 Centurian F1 onion sets today from JustSeed for £3.95 + £1.30 P&P = £5.25 in total. I have had good results from Centurian F1 sets in the past and I thought the postage was very reasonable!

Took this photo today of onion seedlings sown. 4 differen varieties:
top left few germinated, about 40 : befordshire champion bought 2022
top right very few < 20 : sturon bought 2022
bottom left about 50 : buan bought 2024, an Irish variety
bottom right about 150 : up to date saved seed from 2023.

   

I would have liked a few more sturon but will probably makedo with what has germinate. Both sturon and bedfordshire make a large onion that keeps well. Buan is a variety I haven't grown before.

Cut down more raspberry canes, removed lots of wandering brambles, cut back a holly bush - all with the aim of making a path passable again. Success.

No gardening yet it’s still covered in snow/ice. I did get the GH door to open a low of -5c with a high of 22.2c.

I scrubbed labels. Getting ready for the mass sow, which I keep telling myself I must show some restraint and not not get over enthusiastic. I tip toed through the frost and snow patches to the gh. My early sown broad beans were looking very sorry for themselves and are unlikely to survive . The sweet peas may be OK, time will tell. The cold has taken its toll.

We had a power cut last night about 10.15. Just in the middle of watching North Shore. We'll have to catch up to find out what happens. Camping lamps to the fore. Decided to go to bed early and read. When we were forced by BT to go over to VOIP phones we then lost the facility of the landline working during a power cut. After much argy bargy from P, stressing we were elderly and vulnerable , we were supplied with a battery back up for phone and Internet. It was put to the test for the first time last evening and worked admirably, phone and router stayed on. It came back on at about 1.30am. I wasn't that impressed with the phone call telling me our power was back on, having just fallen asleep.

Sowed tomatoes & Bijou peas.
Had a weeding/pruning/hacking session in Strip 2 while the dogs decided to dig a couple of big holes looking for mice. One scared little creature came hurtling out of the bushes, heading straight for me - he soon changed his mind! Another became a snack for Spud.

I received my 100 Centurion onion sets today from Just Seed in two large bubblewrap bags with 50 sets in each. I am very pleased with purchase and their is no-way the postage of £1.30 would have coverd P&P as they wouldn't fi through letterbox!
I'm looking forward to planting them but it will probably be late March to April before the ground is suitable for planting.

More clearing of brambles etc in Strip 2. Raked out dead grass and turned various heaps of grass and weeds to encourage them to rot down. Composting in situ.

Boxing & Barre this evening. Feeling it already!