Fen Peas

The running total of rain has now reached over 100mm for this month her at Old Leake! We have not turned a wheel for 11 days and although the forecast is good for tomorrow it would appear we still remain in an unsettled pattern. The warmth we look like getting tomorrow will do some good to those peas in the ground. I think it was 1998 that little was done in April, we finished drilling in June and the late peas did ok. We remain optimistic! Here's hoping the weather has been kinder to our Menorcan outpost.

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April showers continue to play havoc with drilling and although we have a plan it is dependent on just where the showers do not fall. Within our area of operation it is much "drier", or I should say, less wet the further south you go. The rain has not stopped the activity of the local criminal fraternity who have broken into one of the Growers sheds and as well as taking the usual managed to soak some pea seed in diesel. More hassle and more form filling in required!

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It's been a case of missing the showers this week. It is still quite variable as to where the rain falls and we have been able to continue drilling with more than one eye on the weather. Holbeach Marsh is now complete and with rain and the lower temperatures we will leave it alone until next week. Those peas drilled last Tuesday have now got strong one inch chits on, so there is some growth. It was out with the new and in with the old this week as PGRO came along to drill a large trial plot. I am told this drill is quite a reliable piece of kit after a major overhaul. As you can see it has been well looked after. At this time of year we usually leave the narrow wheels on the sprayer for pre-em spraying, but as you can see the low ground pressure tyres have come out again.

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The week has been a bit of a messy one. The nature of the showers meant that it was difficult to get into a pattern of drilling. A lot of "stop start". However, over 300 acres were drilled, bringing us up to 47% of the crop in the ground and we have completed the fields of Novella north of Fosdyke Bridge and are well set into drilling Geneva in Holbeach Marsh. A chance to check on the earlies today, which do look in good heart, but could soon do with some sunshine and warmth on their backs.

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Whilst we have had a lot of rain over the last few days it has now turned to showers, and some land that remained in the plough has dried enough for us to start drilling again. Yesterday and today has seen us drill 100 acres in the Fosdyke/Holbeach Marsh area. If we can avoid the overnight showers hopefully more drills will be going tomorrow.

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What a difference 24hrs makes! Drilling in dry conditions yesterday morning and have now had 34mm of rain so far. It made me think of when we last had an enforced rain break in drilling. This happened in mid March 2008! Which goes to show just how dry Spring has been in South Lincolnshire for the last few years. I would imagine it will be a few days before the wheels can turn again, but in all honesty I'm pleased to get some rain.

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