April in the Poly-Tunnel

Luckily on the coldest nights it has kept above zero in the poly-tunnel, but unfortunately the courgettes that I had planted too early outside, caught a bit of a cold with the frost.

 A rescue operation was quickly needed, so I dug them up and put them in pots in the poly-tunnel. 

You can see the damaged leaves but you can also see the new growth forming in the centre of the plant. 

I will cut out the damaged leaves soon and the plants will survive and will soon  be back in the garden when they are too big for the pots.  .

I planted the tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and aubergines into the soil last week and they are really starting to put on a spurt with their roots in the warm soil.

Despite some cold nights the day temperature gets over 20 degrees and luckily the nights are getting  slightly warmer. The new foliage is nice and dark green, so obviously they are getting plenty nutrients from the soil.

The trickle irrigation has been laid in place ready for the coming season. I use a seep hose system which gives a steady trickle of water and will not damage the roots or wash the nutrients out of the top soil, which can sometimes happen when you water with a hose. 

A little and often is the secret when watering tomato plants throughout the season. 

These pepper plants are looking really healthy and I run up four strings to the wire above from each plant to support them. 

The bunches are forming nicely on my tomato plants and should set OK.

 Problems with setting can occur due to low light levels and cold nights with some varieties, but I had no problems last year with early setting and I am growing these Coeur de Boeuf again this year. 

They are a good all round beefsteak style of tomato and crop exceedingly well.

All this gardening can build up an appetite and luckily for me Mrs TK is a wonderful cook, so I thought I would show you one of her more simple dishes, a seafood salad. 

The centre dish is  full of warm scallops covered with a white wine and cream sauce. Prawns, smoked salmon, kiwi fruit, avocados and strawberries compliment the salad. 

Washed down with a nice crisp dry white wine and served with a fresh baguette is the perfect meal after a warm afternoon in the garden.