I’ve been trying to assemble a list of what we plan to grow this year and it’s just too much. So I’m going to break it down for each month so that I can hold myself accountable to get things sown.

So let’s start with February. It’s not a big month for seed sowing but there are some things happening.

Potatoes. Seed potatoes have arrived. I’m going smaller this year and we’re growing Nicola as a second early and Setanta as a main crop. They are currently in the living room, chitting and my plan is to plant them around Easter time.

Sweet Potatoes. We had a good year last year and I’ve used one of last year’s crop and a random that I bought but that is sprouting. I’ve put them in soil and on a heat mat so we’ll see how it goes.

Sweet Peppers. I had planned to sow these last year but missed my window so I’ve sown them this year. Lipstick from Real Seeds and Lunchbox mix (Thompson and Morgan) and Corno di Torro Rosso (Fothergills). This is the first year I’ve grown them from seed. I’ve got them (and the aubergines and chillis on the heat mat so fingers crossed!)

Chillis. We grew jalapeno peppers last year and they were great for salsa. I’d like to grow them again and got some seeds from Fothergills and we’ll see how it goes. I’ve always wanted to grow Padron (Real Seeds) peppers.

Aubergines. Again something we grew last year with limited success so I want to try from seed. I have free magazine seeds. Black Beauty (Fothergills) and Long Purple (Kings) are what I’ve sown.

Perennial Leeks and Walking Onions. I bought some bulbs from Incredible Vegetables, because I like the idea of them. Where I’ll put them is another matter entirely.

Sweetpeas. I really want to grow more flowers this year. And I love sweetpeas, so we’re going to sow what I have, Everlasting mixed which is a perennial and for the annuals Antique Fantasy Mixed, Hi-Scent and Sweet Dreams.

Ranuculus. I bought 110 corms before Christmas; we have a bed planted up with them and I’ve planted a bunch in pots and containers. When they’ve flowered this year, I’ll lift them and find a more permanent place for them. I suspect this will be part of my as yet to be developed ‘bulb’ plan.

I also have a free packet of Alpine Strawberry seeds, I’m going to sow them and see if they grow, if they do, that’s great I have some room for more and I know Sue will take some and if we have an excess, that’s what the plant sale on Open Day is for!