As the first rays of sunshine peer through the clouds we’re given an inkling that maybe, just maybe spring could be around the corner. Of course things can change so quickly we’ll probably be scraping frost from the windscreen before setting off to work by the end of the week, but we can but hope! One thing for sure however, is that now is the time for preparation.

As the cold winter days are starting to subside and the ground is warming up, now is the ideal time to get yourself outside into the fresh air and start to tend to the Veg Plot. Although sowing seeds is not a good idea, as they will likely rot, digging in manure and making repairs to raised beds or building new ones are good jobs for the winter months and will help keep you warm while you work.

If you don’t feel quite ready to don the wellies yet however, you can always get the seed preparations underway. Garden centres are full of displays of seeds, onion sets and seed potatoes. However the first stage isn’t necessarily to go and throw ten packets of veg seeds in a basket just to feel as though you’ve done something. An hour or two spent laying out some plans for what you want to grow and designing the layout for the year would be time well invested. (more…)