Spring arrived late this year in Smitham allotments. First the cold and frosts, followed by rain, rain, cold, and more rain. It’s said to have been the coldest April since 1913, and it was also one of the wettest here. Most of us failed to get all the potatoes in by St George’s Day and for the first time in anyone’s memory there was no asparagus by the end of April. There was one advantage, though. The over-wintered leeks didn’t bolt in March as they usually do, and stood firm in ground up until mid-April.
Then May arrived and the sun came out. And the asparagus made up for lost time and provided a feast. And the blossom this year has been magnificent. Let’s hope the good weather holds up and all our crops catch up.