It’s chitting time again. We’ve been experimenting with various potato types since we started the plot with varied success. We tried seven varieties in our first year, most of which were, if not a disaster, less than brilliant. I think that most people new to veg growing tend to experiment a lot to start with. It’s all part of the fun. Eventually though the experiments get fewer as you find the varieties that you like best.

This year we've settled on just two, Charlotte and Red Duke of York. Charlotte is both very tasty and reliable so is a good banker. In truth, we've not grown Red Duke of York before but Clive and Fiona, on our neighbouring plot, have grown it very successfully for the last couple of years so it clearly likes the growing conditions. You can learn a lot by looking at what others do well. You'll never know it all and if you think you do then it's probably time to give up.

Both varieties are currently chitting away in the potting shed and producing some good strong shoots. They’ll be going in towards the end of next month.

We moved the new compost bin. On reflection, I built it on the wrong side of the plot. It overlapped the dividing path a little too much so we shifted it to the other side and moved our fourth composting dalek so that we have a neat row of them. They look as if they are waiting for orders from Davros conquer the universe.

The early Spring daffodils have been lovely. Sue planted bulbs around our little plum tree and at the front of the plot around our plot sign. They increase in number every year and have been an absolute picture. They lift your spirits even on the dullest of days as was the case when I took the shot here. They're certainly one of natures little pick me ups.

Sue was given a push mower by a friend no longer fit enough to use it and we thought it would be ideal for keeping our paths tidy. The association does have a couple of petrol mowers we could use but we felt that using a push mower would be a better choice environmentally and would help to give us a bit more exercise. It’s also small so very easy to manoeuvre around our fairly narrow paths. We have our petrol strimmer but only really need to use when thing get a bit out of hand after the winter months, and on some of the rough ground on a currently uncultivated section of the plot next to ours.

Sowing this month

Under cover

Tomatoes: we're growing three types this year - Ailisa Craig, Sungold (Cherry) and Haven't Got A Clue (some that Sue got free from a gardening magazine).

Sowing direct

Broad Beans. Variety - Masterpiece Green Longpod

Sow Feb to April in double rows 5cm deep, 25 cm apart. Double rows should be spaced 50 cm apart. Pinch out tops of each plant as soon as four clusters of bloom are showing. This helps to prevent Blackfly who love the new shoots. Don’t worry if you get the bugs, they look grim but don’t do any harm to the beans. We got them last year which encouraged Ladybirds like you wouldn’t believe. The Ladybird larvae are weird grey, purple and yellow looking things but we took great pleasure in watching them munch their way through platefuls of Blackfly.

We’ve also transplanted some foxgloves, some perennial flowering plants and herbs from home into Sues’ new cutting garden. It promises to look brilliant once it’s in full swing.