Took our first tentative steps onto the allotment this week and despite the chaos of winter, were excited to see signs of spring, with colourful shoots of rhubarb, chard and cardoons sprouting  amongst the weeds. Thus encouraged, we began the considerable task of preparing the ground for sowing. First to go in were the broad beans – all heavily netted to protect the tasty shoots from hungry rabbits and birds.  Next up will be a batch of purple asparagus which should arrive before the end of the month.

We are still novice allotmenteers having taken over our patch of previously neglected ground in a nearby field 18 months ago.  Before that we bought all our veg from shops and markets.  But oh my goodness it tastes so much better freshly plucked!  And all the better too for not being chemically cleansed and encased in plastic.  So despite the hard work it is definitely worth it!