Mad dash to get seeds planted

They say Orkney has a a 9 month winter and 3 months of bad weather. I am generally an optimist but recognise that everything must be ready to put outside after the last predicted gale, the ground looks less like chocolate pudding and is more receptive. I measure the temperature every few days and hope. Thankfully my family of polytunnels makes the problem much less. Can't wait to get the last one covered and ready to grow.

While the main tunnel was out of action following a series of storms resulting in an de-skinning, I made a temporary zone in my photography studio, rigging up a couple of grow lights and a small heated mat.

Seedlings are bravely showing their plumules. The cats have been very impressed by the choice of litter trays - I've discovered that growing has a limitless number of obstacles.

I am completing this blog on May 1st and so far have a few tatties planted in the polytunnel and have lots of seedlings potted on, all waiting for some good weather. The cats continue to be entertained by my work. Where Monty Don has an obedient Golden Retriever, I am blest with Ninja cats. The producer is never around when I need her.

Strawberries growing in Coir grow bags (Cocogreen) are doing surprisingly well with lots of flowers. The bunble bees are busy pollinating. Last year, saw fly defoliated my current bushes in less time than it takes to flush a toilet. This years experiment is to use nematodes which hopefully will arrive from nematode city anytime soon

Little else is going out yet since soil temp is only 6 deg C but I have started to plant out shallots and onions which also started off in modules in the polytunnel until decent roots and shoots are established. As taught by Charles Dowding, I am starting more and more seeds in modules which means that the plants have a head start.

The onion bed had vetch growing over winter, sown in August which is much earlier than you might in warmer latitudes. The vetch is treated to "chop and drop" or in my case strimmer and rake. Membrane goes over the top of this and the onions planted through this. Hopefully this will massively reduce the weeding

Enough of this cozy distraction, I need to get cold and dirty. Next time I should have the 4th polytunnel with cover and have completed tattie planting.