My Climate Change Garden

I have been digging over my allotment, inspired by Alys Fowler’s second Edible Garden programme. Have also invested in her excellent book of the same name which is a great read with helpful info and stylish photos. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edible-Garden-How-Have-Your/dp/1846079748

Alice’s experiences with tomato blight were the main theme this week. She does seem to have been unlucky with repeated doses of this.http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=217

Hope I don’t have the same problem with my lovely tomatoe seeds that are now growing well in the conservatory, lapping up the current heat and sun.

These are for the Ratatouille theme I am planning for my  patch of land in The Village allotment located in the Meads in Eastbourne. Have planted lots of different tomatoe seeds – giant Roma, medium size Marmande and some cherry tomatoes that as well as Green Bush courgettes.

Aubergine and peppers are key ingredients for Ratatouille but I did not have much luck germinating these. My lack of experience combined with little time has made me decide to use a company called Rocket Gardens in Cornwall.They will be delivering one of a Mediterranean gardens for planting out straight into my allotment at the end of May when the soil has warmed and frosts have gone. Their Mediterranean Garden comes complete with an impressive range of fully grown plants including 3 Aubergine, 3 mixed peppers, 5 Tomatoes, 4 courgettes, 20 lettuce, 20 rocket as well as 3 artichoke and 10 Borlotti beans plus herbs such as basil, rosemary, oregano and italian parsley  – a total of 79 plants which is brilliant. http://www.rocketgardens.co.uk/

This is the perfect way to secure good quality plants ready for  planting  into outside without the time consuming process of growing them by seed yourself. Looking forward to creating a Mediterranean scene in Eastbourne  – weather permitting of course.

For now, I am busy preparing the soil with lots of digging and weeding – farmyard manure arriving in a few weeks to add that extra goodness for the crops. My little plot is at the bottom right of this photo with my gardening tools .The Union Jack has nothing to do with me – one of the allotment holders is in election mood!