GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD WITH DIRTY NAILS FEBRUARY, 2ND WEEK POND ACTION The ponds are now a mass of heaving frogs, groaning and croaking as Dirty Nails passes them daily on his way up to the vegetable patch. Their numbers have been swelling over the last week or so and are reaching the point where the laying of their jelly-like blobs of spawn is imminent.

For Dirty Nails, who as a nature-friendly tender of the land holds frogs in the highest esteem, this time of year is most exciting. The fat females carry smaller males on their backs in a position known as ‘amplexus‘. The males hold on tightly with their front legs clasped around the necks of their spawn-laden partners aided by rough pads of skin that develop below their thumbs and give them a tight grip.

Until that magic moment arrives, and it could be tonight, they rest in the thick weed. Pairs of heads poke out into the air as they bide their time, then duck down in unison as the heavy-footed gardener walks by.

CABBAGES FOR MID-SUMMER While he waits for the frogs to lay their eggs, Dirty Nails has been planting summer cabbages. Sown now indoors in trays of moist compost, early varieties such as ‘F1 Spitfire’ and ‘Greyhound’ could be ready for eating as early as June.

He pops the pin-head sized brown or black seeds into trays to a depth of no more than ½ inch (1 ½ cm), covers, and firms gently. A little tipple of water is given. The would-be cabbages are placed on a windowsill or in the greenhouse to germinate.

When they have reached 3 or 4 inches (8 to10 cm) in height, Dirty Nails will transplant the seedlings outside into firm, sunny soil. Here they should grow on speedily for cropping in mid-summer.

One reason why Dirty Nails favours these quick-growing brassicas is that they can be nurtured and harvested early in the season before white butterflies are causing too much cabbage damage.

How to Grow Your Own Food by Dirty Nails (ISBN 9781905862115) is available from bookshops and www.dirtynails.co.uk priced £10.99.

Copyright, Dirty Nails February 2009