23. I don't care what the weatherman says...

I am ashamed to say that I haven't been to the allotment since before Christmas.

However, the days are getting longer, and I am feeling more energetic, and hopeful that summer will put an end to this cold. So...no more waiting for the weather to improve. As I sit here, it is snowing outside.

On Saturday, in an 'up yours' to the British springtime, I am going to the allotment, and bringing it into the house. I was given a propagator last season, and, following a quick search for a user guide on the internet, there will soon be tomatoes, aubergines, chillies, leeks... growing in the spare bedroom.

My indoor nursery used to be the dining room, but the dog took that over when she moved in, and has already broken one plant pot, trying to see who was walking past!

I have already made a start. There are first early and main crop potatoes chitting in the new nursery. This year I am trying Colleen first earlies, mainly because I can't remember what I bought last year! But also, Colleen was good for disease resistance and a good crop. For the main crop I have picked Pink Fir Apple, as back in the days when I had a veggie box delivered, I had some Pink Fir Apple potatoes and they were really tasty...and they look unusual too! Although if anyone has grown them before let me know as they seem to be slow to chit. I think it might be because they are main crop.