Freezing cold - at last. My little fan heater could barely keep the temperature in the greenhouse above freezing. Despite these inauspicious conditions sowing, and germination, continues. The first aubergine seedling has appeared in the propagator at last and thanks to the heated mat the beetroot, achillea and marigold seedlings are already through. I sowed some more aubergines yesterday and the perennial pepper Tepin. I could smell how hot the seeds were!

On the allotment things are on hold. My soil won't even let you look at it, let alone walk on it, when it's frosty. But at least the big compacted clods of upturned soil in the newly created potato beds will be broken down a bit. I got my seed potato order on Friday:


Arran Pilot
Ulster Chieftain
Edzell Blue
Romano
Arran Victory
Dunbar Standard
Rooster
Kestrel
Vales Sovereign
Shannon
Roseval
Bonnie

I also have in my possession 1kg each of Bleu d'Auvergne, Red Laure and Moulin Rouge maincrop seed. The latter is a Pink Fir Apple and Desiree cross.

So egg boxes at the ready, it's chitting time. I will renew my search for the requisite cool but frost-free, bright, but no direct sun, location...