Good practice

I have been in three gardens this week, each with veg just starting (and I even made it to my allotment so that makes four!) and each time I get to remind myself of good veg garden practice.

Read up on the plant you are trying to grow, make sure the plant has enough room for its specific requirements, allow space for tending to the plant and if it is likely to be yummy and attractive to birds, net it!

I planted some Potatoes out and some direct sown Broad Beans on Monday amongst other jobs.

In another garden I focused on herbaceous borders, dead heading, cutting back and tidying; pimping it for visitors to come in and love it. I learnt to cut back Epimedium so as to show off the beautiful flowers that are emerging.

At Heale, veg gardening as I know it, notches up a level. Measuring, lines in, soil perfectly prepared and plants in peak condition to thrive. We planted out Peas - Hurst Green Shaft - which we had sown a couple of weeks ago in a five 'dice formation' so as they plop straight out of the pot and into a row. We protected the beauties with Willow sticks and netting. Nothing will break through that barrier.

We planted some more Peas directly, a different variety this time ; 'Boogie' and some more Broad beans 'Bunyards Exhibition' with the aim of a successional crop to keep picking. A row of Beetroot went in too, pre soaked to give the seed a flying start. Rhubarb is really coming on now and with the warmth of Spring, it all feels very much like we are on the way now.

In the Greenhouses, I sowed some more Leeks, 'Nipper' and 'Below Zero'. Nipper as you might imagine, should give a small, quick crop of tasty Leeks. Pricking out has gone stellar now so I worked with Sunflower and Nicotiana sylvestris. More pots, more pot jenga!

Out in the garden the owner wanted some Quince trees transplanting so we spent most of one day doing just that, root balling the plants and making sure we re-housed them in a large enough hole with a stake. Cydonia 'Vranja' and 'Serbian Gold'.  Heavy work.

In the Japanese garden we have life returning in the form of Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris) which has a bright gold flower. The Skunk Cabbages are on the rise and Petasites are pushing up the soil. HG introduces me to our native Summer Snowflake - Leucojum aestivum - which looks like a giant Snow drop.

Some visitors this week including a Twitter friend - @madcatwood - who came to the garden for the first time - great to see him and how the mad world of Twitter really does connect people!