Barry Cuff takes a look back through his notes of what happened on his Sturminster Newton plot last month
It’s been a busy month, and the good weather has allowed plenty of work to be carried out on the plot. Cold nights with a touch of frost, low rainfall and plenty of sunshine would sum up April.
DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) says that the UK could face food shortages by the summer if the Iran war continues. How fortunate to have an allotment and to grow our own fruit and veg.
Beetroot: First sowing of Boltardy on 6th, showing good emergence by 22nd.
Broad beans: Masterpiece Green Longpod and Witkiem Manita, planted out in February, were in full flower by 19th and being visited by bees on sunny days.
Brussels sprouts: Brenden sown in modules on 7th.
Carrots: First direct sowing of Early Nantes on 6th, second on 13th. First sowing just emerging on 23rd.
Cauliflower: A new variety (Aureo), planted out in July 2025, should be ready to cut by the first week in May.
Celery and celeriac: Sown in modules in the greenhouse on 8th.
Garlic: Planted in November, looking exceptionally well. Fed with liquid seaweed.
Leeks: Musselburgh sown in pots on 10th.
Lettuce: Sown in modules every month from February to October (Little Gem). First lot grown in the greenhouse and first plants cut on 22nd. Second lot planted outside on 16th. Third sowing made on 17th.
Onions:
We still have a tray left of our 2025 crop, they have kept well. For this year’s crop, two rows planted out on 25th from multi-sown modules (more to follow).
Parsley: Two pots of Moss Curled sown in pots in the greenhouse on 15th.
Parsnip: Two rows sown direct on 21st (Palace and Gladiator), about six seeds per station to thin later.
Peas: Hurst Green Shaft – first row sown on 9th and a further row on 13th. The first row emerging on 24th (more to follow).
Plot work: Finished digging those areas that required it. The remainder will not be dug (for the brassicas, squashes, sweetcorn, celery, celeriac, French and runner beans). Weeding, hedge trimming and mowing grass paths.
Potatoes: Planting started in March and finished on 6th April. Early plantings were earthed up at emergence and fleeced during any nights with a touch of frost. We are still using the last of the 2025 crop – Desiree and Caledonian Rose, they are both roasting well and making good chips!
Purple sprouting broccoli: Last spears picked on 16th and plants removed to make way for the final row of potatoes on the plot.
Radish: Second sowing on 18th (mix of French Breakfast and Cherry Bell).
Red cabbage: Kalibos and Red Drumhead planted out from modules on 7th under net cloches to protect from pigeons.
Salad leaves: Harvesting mixed spicy leaves and semi-leafless peas from trays grown in the greenhouse.
Spinach: First sowing of Emilia on 15th.
Sweet peppers: Now all potted up in large pots and enjoying the sun in the greenhouse.
Tomatoes: Now all planted up in the greenhouse (with some spare plants for neighbours on the allotment).
Wildlife: Cats are a major problem at this time of year; they seem to be attracted to the fine tilth in the seed rows.
