Not the most thrilling afternoon in the garden, but sometimes it’s the quiet ones that feel the most productive. Overcast and about 12°C in Aberdeen — standard April stuff — so I headed out to the polytunnel to get a few jobs ticked off.
Chitting the Tatties
First job was getting the potatoes set out to chit. I’ve lined them all up in trays along the polytunnel shelving where they can get a bit of light and start sprouting. There’s a decent amount of them this year so I’m hopeful for a good crop once they go into the ground. They just need a few weeks to get their eyes going and then they’ll be ready to plant out.
Sweetcorn in the Trays
I also sowed some sweetcorn — D.T. Brown Sundance F1 — into seed trays. Got them into compost and they’re sitting in the polytunnel where it’s a bit warmer. Sweetcorn can be a gamble this far north but I’ve had decent results starting them off under cover and planting out once the frosts are done.
Checking on the Veg
Had a look at the veg I planted a couple of weeks ago and I’m pleased to say there are shoots starting to appear in the pots. Nothing dramatic yet but it’s good to see signs of life — always a relief when things actually come up rather than just sitting there doing nothing.
The Supervisor
Oh, and Eddie the cat decided to join me in the polytunnel. He spent most of the time climbing over seed trays and getting in the way, which is his usual contribution to the gardening effort. Very helpful.
I also got the grass cut while I was out, so the garden’s looking a bit tidier overall. Next up I’ll need to keep an eye on those tatties and get them planted out once they’ve chitted properly — fingers crossed for a decent May 🤞