Am reading through Ralph Whitlock’s Gardening Diary in Issue 32/33 of Grow Your Own (2nd Edition, 1979).
January week 1 discusses seed catalogues and seed potatoes. On the fruit front, it says that “red and white currants at this time of year occasionally have old shoots that are studded wtih small, red, cushion-like dots - symptoms of coral spot disease.” And suggests pruning these. It then goes on to discuss apples and pears. For the greenhouse in the At-a-glance Calendar, it says to sow beetroot, carrot, French bean, lettuce, mustard & cress, and tomato.
January week 2 discusses planning, mentioning rotation, companion planting (Alliums are not good neighbours to beans), making labels… Fruit-wise, mentions taking grape cuttings now (not that we have any grape vines…), and to watch in mild districts for “peaches and associated fruits will start to break their winter dormancy…” Greenhouse, it suggests to finish off any cleaning/repairing etc to the greenhouse as it reckons “in about a week, sowing time in the greenhouse will begin in earnest.” The At-a-glance Calendar agrees with the previouis week for sowing….
It is blustery outside. Perhaps I should have braved the wind and rain to go the dozen or so footsteps to the greenhouse! I am a wimp! The greenhouse won’t clean itself! And as for all those pots, maybe’ll do it in the bath.
Still no sign of HSL seeds
Patience is a virtue - perhaps when I learn patience, I won’t be such a wimp?!
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