Sowing Time.

OK. So we're starting to get busy now. The croft is still very wet, even though I've dug the drains. I've started removing weeds, and losening the soil in preparation for a covering of seaweed, and rotorvating. I'm not sure wether to put the seaweed on overwinter, as a mulch, or if it provides more nutrients when applied in spring. What do others do?

I've fitted a heater in the greenhouse, and alongside my propagator, and have so far planted 5 or 6 varieties of Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Peppers, Leeks, Broad Beans, along with 4 types of Lettuce (now at the 4 leaf stage and ready for planting in the polytunnel). I've got 5 varieties of Potatoes, the classic King Edwards, Desiree, and Axona, plus Anya (an offspring of Pink Fir Apple, but less misshapen) and Nadine. After last year when my tops died off too soon, I'm hoping for a much better year this year.

I got my seed from "The Real Seed Company" who only sell open pollinated varieties, not F1's or other hybrid varietes. This means that you can save your own seeds for future years, and varieties will adapt to local conditions. They give full instructions on how to save seed, and how to sow and prepare your veges.

I'm trying to set up a couple of databases of information, so can you let me know what crops and varieties you are growing, when you sow, and how well they do, plus any other info you think may be useful.

The other is a list of local producers. So if you produce meet, fish, eggs, dairy, baking, delicacies, or just fruit and veg, selling either through foodlink, independantly from the gate, or though local shops, and want to be included, please let me know.

Good luck with your season, and don't forget to look at the Foodlink website..

See you at Seedy Sunday in Durness on 3rd April..