Potato Mad!

On Wednesday it was raining this week so we stayed in the shed and sowed a tray of seeds each: two Leek varieties ("Atlanta" and "St. Victor"), carrots ("Nantes 2") and parsnips ("Gladiator F1"). It was brighter on Thursday so we planted out some Fir Apple potatoes in bags. Also, three rhubarb crowns arrived in the post so we planted each one into its own tyre straight away.

After school on Wednesday, Miss Swallow went up to the Culbokie Community Garden at Netherton on the Black Isle. Mr Hadron donated some rarer varieties of seed potatoes to us - thank you so much! They were: Smile, Peach Bloom and Blue Belle. You can see how they got their names from the photos Blue Belles (above)- see the blue eyes where the shoots will come from?You can see how elongated our Fir Apple potatoes are compared to the Peach Blooms in the top right of the box. Mr Hadric said the Peach Blooms would do better in bags than the Fir Apple potatoes, so we will keep the ones we have left for the border instead.(see the white smiles against the red potatoes?!)

On Thursday, Catriona's mum (and her little brother Arran) visited us - to bring us some old carpet. We will cut the carpet to fit each raised bed and use them next winter to prevent weeds and protect the soil. Arran (aged 3) enjoyed watering in the greenhouse - I think he'll be a keen DiGGer in future!!

As it was the last day of term, we met on Friday too. We checked the greenhouse, did last minute watering and fixed the hinge on the shed door that had come loose!These are the labels that Danielle drew last week - adding a touch of art to the greenhouse!

Over the Easter break, Catriona and family will come in to water, and in the second week Lewis will take over. Also, BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) are due to build a path into the garden whilst we are on holiday - we look forward to seeing the results in two weeks!