Barry Cuff takes a look back through his notes of what happened on his Sturminster Newton plot last month
allowed plenty of work to be carried out on the plots. With the blackthorn putting on an amazing show in the hedges, there was always a risk of overnight frosts (a Blackthorn Winter*), so a close eye was kept on the forecasts to determine whether there was a need to heat the greenhouses.
Plot work: As last year’s crops were cleared and old plants consigned to the compost heap, beds were manured and dug as required. A long-handled Cornish spade makes light work of it – far easier than a conventional spade or fork.
In the ground: Garlic planted in November and broad beans planted out in February are both looking strong, helped along by liquid seaweed, although the beans are showing a little weevil damage. Leeks continue to be lifted as required.
Planting and sowing: It is still too early to sow outside, but the greenhouse is busy. Second batches of lettuce and leaf salad mixes are under way, alongside agricultural peas for shoots and spring onions for either in-situ harvesting or transplanting later. Tomatoes (14 varieties, more than 100 plants) and around 45 sweet pepper plants are developing well indoors, with surplus destined for fellow plot-holders.
Potatoes:
The last of the Charlotte crop has been enjoyed (particularly good as wedges), with Desiree and Caledonian Rose still in store.
New plantings have gone in steadily as ground has become available: Orla and Charlotte, Jazzy, Sagitta, Caledonian Rose and Desiree. A greenhouse-grown Jazzy in a large pot is already fully in leaf.
Onions:
The final trays of the 2025 crop are being used up, with any early sprouters processed and frozen. This year’s crop has been sown in stages:
9th: 150 plugs of Bonus (white)
10th: 60 plugs of Red Baron (red)
17th: 150 plugs of Bonus
By 25th March, the earliest onion sowings were already showing strong emergence.
Fresh harvest and stores:
The final pickings of sprouts, parsnips, carrots and early purple sprouting broccoli have been gathered. Autumn salads and radishes are now finished, replaced under cover by mixed leaves, pea shoots and chicons, with the first Little Gem lettuces planted out inside.
From store and freezer: potatoes, squash and onions, alongside sweetcorn, peppers, broad beans and French beans.
Fruit: Raspberry canes are pushing new growth, while buds are breaking on pear, currants and gooseberry. Strawberries have been fed with liquid seaweed and potash.
Wildlife: Warmer days have brought out peacock, orange tip, comma and brimstone butterflies. Bees are active on red dead-nettle and dandelions, with dark-edged bee-flies and ladybirds also making an appearance.
*Blackthorn winter is an old saying, referring to a sudden cold snap, often accompanied by frost or snow, in early spring (usually April), coinciding with the blooming of the blackthorn bush
