Well we have removed 60 old plants and I have rototilled the area in preparation for planting. There will be a group of 120 plants go back in the ground on 3 ft. centres.
20 seedlings from Nimfa, Amphora, Dimzas, Morena, Fialka, and 15 of Leningradski Velikan will be planted in a somewhat randomized pattern to make a 10 x 20 plant block. 5 seedlings from a wild Russian selection will be integrated into the pattern where the L. Velikan is missing. A very interesting trial as the plants look quite good but of course all the parent plants are old Russian varieties which are fair to good in flavour but not great. The Remaining 10 plants from the old nursery will be integrated into a new planting with about 8 from the Japanese variety. It may be spring before this happens as I have just heeled in the plants for winter in a trench and covered the roots.
There are another 28 plants to dig out and discard and 8 to heel in and then it will feel like something has been accomplished.
More to follow.
