Cabbage for Springtime and Brassicas for the Hungry Gap

Yes I know it is still Summer, somewhere...but it's time to think about sowing brassicas for the hungry gap. I have already mentioned Kale, now it's the turn of Spring Cabbage. I had a really great crop from my July sowing last year. So, I will sow only biodynamically on this tomorrow. These may get into my polytunnel, just depends how big the shoehorn is!
My chosen varieties for this year are "Precoce de Louviers" and "Piacenza" from Real Seeds. Never having grown these before I am interested to know if anyone else has and their views upon either of them please. I will also be sowing Broccoli Raab or Turnip Broccoli, variety "San Marzano", another experimental variety for me. It's a quick cropper, turning around a harvest within 60-80 days. Not really a filler for my hungry gap, although if the bad weather continues the hungry gap will be considerably wider than normal.

All Hail The Great Kale

Tomorrow signals a biodynamic day for leaf and with that in mind, I am going to sow some kale seeds then and some more on the New Moon, around the 19th July. These will be going into my polytunnel eventually, so I will be able to run a little experiment as to which germinates better and which grows more strongly. July is my usual month for sowing Kale - Toscana de Nero. I love this variety as it stands up so well to overwintering and to the various pests that come its way in the Spring. It is definitely one for the hungry gap!

Polytunnel Planting

Have polytunnel, will sow. One side devoted entirely to tomatoes (and this is not all of them)! Second side has sown a double row of dwarf peas, Charmette and Hatif D'Annonay, a single staggered row of Champion of England peas, Goldensweet Mangetout, courgettes, patty pan squash, Boothby's Blonde cucumbers and French beans. Various salad leaves and basil completes the planting for now. It's very exciting having another space to grow in.

Wet, Wet, Wet

No, not a group from way back when, but the weather. First we are told we are in drought, then the heavens open and we are all on flood alert. From our garden we can see that the River Trent has indeed overflowed onto its flood land. We are atop a high hill, so nothing for us to worry about. The main problem I've had is not being able to get any planting done up at the allotment, which renders me unable to sow anything else. The greenhouse is burgeoning. The night-time temperatures have been so low, I can't harden anything off either. The cold frame is full to the brim with brassicas. I may have to be brave tomorrow and pop on some water wings and get on the allotment, if only around the bed edges. Fortunately we have free draining soil, so I am hoping it will not be too wet.
The garden at home is sopping and everything has grown a hundred percent. The grass needs mowing - too wet. The weeds need hoeing off - too wet. The compost needs turning - I'll get wet! I did however manage to get two large trays of tomatoes planted into Morrisons pots. I have another large tray to complete, but need more compost. My varieties for the greenhouse grow bag planting also need to be started. On the upside I have had a move around, yet again, and I think I can safely say I have lots of plants to fill that polytunnel when it arrives.
Happy swimming everyone :)