I’ve never been able to wait until my leek plants are the thickness of a pencil before I plant them out, they are normally quite spindly, I’m not sure why. This has caused problems when it’s been a hot year as they just frazzle in the sun as soon as I plant them out, but they must go out otherwise they will never grow. It was rain forecasted later on in the day after weeks/months of no rain and plenty of sun, so it seemed a good time to plant them out on the plot. I dibbed in holes and put the thin plants in, gave everything a good watering and covered in netting not to keep the birds off but to give them a small bit of shade. It seemed as if the rain gods were watching as about an hour later the sunny day turned dark and it rained heavy for the first time in ages for a number of hours.

On the plot I am still picking radish and rhubarb. I am still waiting to see more carrot seedlings and maybe beetroot. The peas planted last week are still growing, they haven’t dried up in the sun, and also too the potatoes. I was starting to think the potatoes really need water this time of the year and so was further pleased when it did start raining.

Strawberry plants are small and growing slowly, this is after me moving them over the winter. I am thinking not much will happen with them this year, I’ll just keep them watered and growing with the hope for strawberries next year. I’ve been eating strawberry jam I made the other year, really much nicer than shop bought, so fingers crossed for more jam making in 2026.