The weather is still cold and wet here in Scotland but some alliums seem to be impervious to wintery chills. Elephant Garlic in a large raised bed formed from Air-Pot wall material is now showing some leaf above ground after an Autumn planting. The early start has allowed plenty of time for roots to establish – ready for the Spring surge. These Elephant Garlic can get huge and are expensive to buy, so it seems a good use of the deep well-drained enriched soil in this bed.

Ordinary garlic can be planted directly in-ground but is sometimes affected by rot in wet winters. So a couple of fat cloves of a prized French variety have been started in 1 litre Air-Pot “prop-pots”. Similarly three rare Potato Onions have been given their own prop-pots, these are a multiplier onion similar to shallots and they appreciate good drainage, as well as the slight protection of an unheated greenhouse.

Rhubarb in a pot has grown strong and early, this was a small offset (thong) which was nearly thrown out a couple of years ago. Spinach Beet is producing beautiful rich green new leaves and is almost ready to pick. Lupin leaves look too delicate to show themselves but are very welcome.

An Apricot tree started as a bare root plant last year has establish well and has just produced a lot of blossom so we look forward to some fruit in summer. This is not really hardy outdoors in Scotland as it blossoms very early, needing protection early in the season. We are pruning it into an espalier and keeping it small enough to move in and out of the tunnel.