Signs of spring

NIR HALFON

Today we started mowing the garden. The first time is always a bit difficult and slow. The mower having to go through old, tufty, winter grass and slightly soft soil underneath, mole hills and all sorts of debris left from various winter jobs (picked up and tidied away before mowing….). Slow going but the smell of mown grass spreads through the air and brings back memories of summer. It is one of the many signs of the change of season which can be seen around. 

Last autumn and winter were particularly wet and muddy. It felt like a long plod. Usually, somewhere there is a window of dry weather to begin spring cultivations and prepare for planting potatoes and onions (the first crops in the fields). This week the weather has been dry and hopefully it continues. Then we can mow the old crops, spread manure, plough and cultivate. Fingers crossed.

In the tunnels next to the newly planted beds, autumn planted crops are speeding up with fresh, lush and large leaves. There are an abundance of greens this spring. Every day, the shelves are stocked with spring greens, chard, perpetual spinach and true spinach. The last potatoes and onions have been taken out of storage, clearing space for the new crop later in the year.

The propagator, as it is every spring, is filling with salads and vegetables and, most importantly, small tomato, cucumber and pepper seedlings which are being carefully pricked out and potted on. 

In the shop the first bunches of radishes made an appearance this morning and as salad bags increase in weight so does the percentage of leaves from seeds sown in 2020. Rocket, red Russian kale and other oriental leaves are the ones to look out for. Add to all this the budding trees and singing birds, the dry sunny days and increase in temperature; yes, spring is here. Glory, Hallelujah.