Aubergines and Brussels Sprouts

According to my spreadsheet I can sow some aubergines (Black Beauty) and brussels sprouts (Groninger) in February, so thats what I've done. They will stay inside on the window sill. The aubergines are going to live here at home. I tried growing them on the allotment, but they didn't do too well, so they will stay indoors and in a grow bag on the balcony to see what happens.

The tomatoes sown on January 28th are just beginning to germinate, which has taken longer than I thought, but the window sill may not have been warm enough. I've kept looking at them every half an hour or so this morning, and they are definitely moving.

Most of the sweet peas out on the balcony now have four leaves, so their tops have been pinched out to make them more bushy. They look so fragile blowing around in the wind, but seem to be managing OK. I don't think are as worried as I am.

Getting organised

Seeds sown today
Originally uploaded by Marj Joly.

We hired a car yesterday to go to a party, and took advantage of our time to do some moving around of things too bulky to carry down Limehouse Cut. We took the strulch, and a lot of used compost to the plot, and Gordon went and collected a wormery. If you are a Tower Hamlets resident you can buy a large wormery from the Council for only £5.00, which is a bargain. You can also get compost bins, and small wormeries as well. It comes with a voucher to send off for the worms when ready to get it started.

So I have also washed a lot of pots today, and sown tomatoes (alicante) and hot peppers (hungarian wax). I am trying not to sow too many of each variety this year. Last year I grew 48 tomato plants, and gave half of them away. Its great to do that, but space becomes a bit of a problem. I may sow some more later.

Sweet pea

Sweet pea
Originally uploaded by Marj Joly.

28 of the 37 sweet peas have germinated, and are hardening off on the balcony.

Some of them still look a big leggy, even though they went outside as soon as they had germinated, but I've not really grown them for ages, so can't remember what they are meant to look like. Once there are some more leaves, the top will be pinched out.

I may dig out the non germinators and rub them with sandpaper to see if that stimulates them - but it may be too late for that, its worth a try.

Boots and mud

Boots
Originally uploaded by Marj Joly.

Why do I always get so muddy? These are definitely the best boots for digging in, and I can't work without them. I don't look after them properly, but have had them for probably 16 years, so they are doing OK.

This weekend was about digging and weeding. Continued work on the paths with Mike and Gordon, and have made great progress I think. All of the unwanted iris are now gone.

Hardening off the sweet peas

Hardening off the sweet peas
Originally uploaded by Marj Joly.

I love going to out check on the seedlings every morning. It's one of the first things I do. I'm a bit concerned still about the mould around the bottom of the toilet rolls, but now they are outside it doesn't seem quite so bad.

These ones are Sarah Kennedy, which germinated first, and Alan Williams. Aunt Jane is still inside as they are only just starting to show themselves nearly two weeks after sowing. They have been given a stiff talking to, and told to get a move on.

Next plan is to sow some tomato seed and hungarian wax hot peppers.

Parsnips: tender and true

We still have quite a lot of parsnips to get through - there seem to be more than last year, although they are not too large. These tender and true parsnips smell of damp earth, and have that sweet parsnipy smell you get when they are very fresh. They will be par boiled, and then roasted in olive oil, with a little black pepper.

Path to the compost bin

New path
Originally uploaded by Marj Joly.

We are gradually getting our new paths completed. A bit of an experiment using the many, many stones that we keep digging out of the soil.