Saturday: Prepping the Garden

This weekend, the garden plan of 2026 was finally put into action.

I started by clearing up my raised beds, giving them a really good rake to loosen the top layer of soil. Raking might seem like a bit of a ball ache, but it actually makes a big difference. It breaks up compacted soil, improves airflow, and brings weeds and debris to the surface. It also makes digging much easier and creates a softer, more workable bed for planting.

Once raked, I dug down slightly to turn the soil and mix everything together. This helps distribute nutrients more evenly and prevents the soil from becoming too dense, giving roots a better environment to grow.

After prepping both beds, I left them overnight to air out and settle, ready for planting the next day.

Building the Tomato Trough

Next, I turned my attention to my new tomato trough from Amazon. It came with a built-in trellis, which is perfect since tomatoes are natural climbers and need support as they grow.
First, I built it, which admittedly, wasn’t too difficult… although it did result in three blisters (clearly I needed my dad on standby for that one). Once assembled, it looked so cute, and the red wood matched the brick of my house almost perfectly.
To prepare it for planting, I started by lining the bottom with small stones. This helps improve drainage and prevents the soil from escaping through the base.
On top of that, I added a layer of broken-up cardboard and crushed eggshells. This is something I’ve been really excited to try, as it tackles a few common issues with container gardening:
**Eggshells** provide calcium, which is essential for healthy tomato growth and helps prevent issues like blossom end rot.
**Cardboard** improves moisture retention while still allowing excess water to drain, helping keep the soil balanced.
Together, they also improve soil structure over time and can even help deter certain pests.
Finally, I layered in a mix of old soil from my raised beds and fresh compost. After giving it a good watering, the trough was ready and waiting for my tomato plants.

Repotting the Courgettes

Next up were my courgettes, which had definitely outgrown their propagation pots.

I picked up a larger trough from the garden centre and prepped it in a similar way to the tomato trough, a few stones at the bottom for drainage, followed by fresh soil.

I carefully removed the courgettes from their starter pots (trying not to disturb the roots too much) and replanted them into their new home. After watering them well, I covered them with fleece and placed them on my garden shelves to give them a bit of protection while they settle in.

Sowing Alyssum Seeds

To finish off the garden jobs for the day, I sowed my alyssum seeds along the edging where I’ve planned lots of flowers to help our pollinators.

I lightly raked the soil, scattered the seeds from one end to the other, then gently raked again to cover them. After a generous watering, everything was set. Now it’s just a waiting game to see those first little shoots appear. I am so impatient that I checked on them 4 hours later to see if something had happened…

Ending the Day: BBQ Traditions

To end the day, we cleaned the BBQ and had our first one of 2026.

BBQs have always been a huge part of my life. My dad, The BBQ Master, is permanently tanned, and I’m convinced it’s from years of being cooked whilst standing over the BBQ. We’ve had BBQs for everything: breakfast, birthdays, summer parties… even in the snow.

It’s something I’ve always loved, so getting my own BBQ was one of the first things I wanted to do when my garden was finished in May 2025. I love hosting, experimenting with different foods, and just creating those moments. It’s one of my favourite things about having my own space. BBQ gifted to us by the BBQ Master himself… Love you dad.

Sunday: Planting Day

After all the preparation, Sunday was all about getting everything planted. And fighting with my dog as he was so intent on walking over my freshly planted beds. I enjoyed trying a Raspberry Rose Poppi, it got me through this planting session. Have you ever tried one? If not, please do because it was LOVELY!

Potatoes

I started with the potatoes, digging holes about 40cm deep and spacing them roughly 30cm apart to give them room to grow.

Each seed potato was placed carefully into the holes and covered with soil, creating a slight trench. As they grow, I’ll continue to mound soil around the stems, a process called “earthing up”, which helps protect the developing potatoes and prevents them from turning green.

Carrots

Next were the carrots, which I was really excited about this year because I used seed tape.

All I had to do was dig a shallow trench (about 1.5cm deep), lay the tape along it, and secure it with damp soil before covering it lightly. Seed tape makes spacing so much easier and avoids overcrowding.

After watering generously, I covered the area with fleece to help retain warmth and moisture.

Bed Two: Onions & Beetroot

Finally, I moved on to my second raised bed, which is dedicated to onions and beetroot this year.
I’ve tried onions before with mixed success. I ended up with tiny silverskin onions (which I did pickle, to be fair!). But this year, I realised where I might have gone wrong. Previously, I planted the starter plants in clumps, not realising they needed to be separated. This time, I carefully split each one and planted them individually, spacing the onions about 20cm apart. Took forever, but I chose this hobby…
The beetroot was spaced closer together, around 10cm apart. I’ve never grown (or even eaten) beetroot before, so this feels like a bit of an experiment, but that’s all part of the fun.
Once everything was planted, I gave the beds a good watering and covered it with fleece for protection.

Wrapping Up ☕

After cleaning up the garden, it was finally time for a coffee and a game or two with Joe (my husband, I realise I’ve not mentioned his name before) and Will. I won bananagrams so the day ended on a high.

Now that everything is planted, it all feels real again. The winter garden blues have lifted, my cherry blossom is about to bloom, and there’s the promise of colour, growth, and life returning to the garden.

I’m so excited to see how everything develops over the next few weeks.

Catch up next time x

This Weekend: Planting the Veggies