Well that’s another toupée gone east! it’s probably floating down the river Stour on its way to the North Sea by now. I just hope that an amorous otter  doesn’t encounter it only to be disappointed by the unresponsive object of its desires. By golly that wind is strong, though it should abate as the day goes by. Walking Nellie earlier was quite challenging when heading into the teeth of the gale, and cool, but with it behind you or in its shelter it felt like a different day altogether. Walking through the woods the Chiffchaffs were ever present companions, whilst out on the open fields Skylarks aplenty were ascending in that stuttering way of theirs, singing all the while, before later parachuting back down to the ground. Lots of the trees are wearing their spring foliage now, none better than the plantation willows with their haze of sage green leaves. There are greens of all hues, and abundant blossom on the various prunus trees and bushes. It’s a great time to be outdoors.

Early in the week I planted and sowed some rows of broad beans, a couple of 100ft rows of two types of cabbage, and a row of lettuce. I had intended to get some potatoes in but rain intervened, so it is my intention to get the ‘earlies’ in tomorrow if conditions remain favourable. It’s a week or two later than I would have liked, but it still early enough. The propagating greenhouse is now almost full of young plants, so an intense period of activity lies ahead. A bed in the large greenhouse has become vacant after harvesting the last of the spring greens from it for last week’s orders (there are plenty more in the polytunnel), so as soon as I have cleared the debris from it and have applied a layer of compost I will plant the first cucumbers. In the adjoining bay tomatoes are ready to go in. I am hopeful that some of the little gem lettuce in the polytunnel will be ready to cut next week.

Peas and lettuce in the tunnel

Yesterday morning on my way to load the van for the farmers market I was making progress along the drive of the Estate when I had to stop to allow a stream of upwards of 20 deer to cross in front of me. They ran alongside me in the belt of trees parallel to the track until it gave way to open parkland where they took a sharp right turn. On Friday morning something similar happened about a half a mile out of the village on the way to Clare. At the point in question the lane becomes sunken, with high banks on either side, and as I approached, 3 large deer careered down the slope, crossed the road and were up the other side in a trice. I had come to a halt, knowing that there were likely to be more beasts waiting to cross, and on peering up the bank to my left there was a pair of bucks with fine antlers looking down at me. They turned away from the edge and I moved forward tentatively until I considered it safe to accelerate.

I am getting some asparagus in this week. It will be in 220g bunches and will be in limited supply, so order early if you would like to secure some. If the quality is good I will up my order for next week. I am giving the carrots another chance this week, but unless they are better than the last batch I will be giving them a rest until a different grower, or new season roots come on stream. On making up the orders I selected out at least two thirds of what were delivered to me, which is just not viable. Unfortunately it’s the time of the year where the stored crop from last year is beginning to suffer. I am still cutting chard and spring greens, and there is purple sprouting broccoli and kale. Cherry tomatoes, watercress and courgettes are helping to keep things interesting, and the mushrooms are always good.  The big oranges are available again, along with Clementines, lemons and limes.

This week’s main photo is of the tree in front of my potting shed, it never disappoints and I photograph it every year, this time from underneath. On the subject of trees in blossom, the big old russet apple has just started flowering, it’s the first of the year. After last year’s dismal apple crop I am hoping for much better this time. It will be helpful if we don’t get any frosts at the critical time.

Right, I need to get onto toupeesRus.com for a replacement. I might go blond this time, what do you think?

Phil