Transplanting cabbages and planting potatoes

Saturday 11th March
Today I wanted to plant my early potatoes and prepare for moving my brassica tunnel by transplanting the tiny cabbages to the new brassica patch. However, before that I emptied a bag of paper shreddings and the first bag of lawn mowings onto my compost bin. The dry 'brown' paper shreddings will balance the green wetness of the grass cuttings but the bin is very full and I need to transfer the contents of the bin at the other end into the centre one to give me space for the spring growth compost.
I then dug up the small cabbage plants that I put in the ground last autumn but had not grown at all. I planted them out amongst the brassicas on the new patch and hope they will put a spurt on. A dose of fertiliser and a sprinkling of slug bait finished the job.

​That left space for me to dig the trenches for the potatoes while I planted a row of Aran Pilot and a row of Kestrel. Following the advice of one expert I scattered slug pellets over the soil before raking it back, burying the pellets for the underground slugs For good measure I also gave them a dose of chicken manure.
No ridges yet. I shall ridge them up once they show through, especially if frst threatens.

​As soon as I can get a team of helpers I must move the brassica tunnel over to the new brassica patch leaving the patch clear for planting the rest of the potatoes.