Allotmenting at this time of year is mostly about getting the ground ready for the new sowing season, planning what’s going to go where, and building elaborate systems of raised beds, stick frames, netted cages and so on (my allotmenting partner likes a project). I am rather excited to have some poblano seeds for the first time and will sow them very soon on our heated, windowsill-based modules to ensure the longest growing season possible, whatever the unpredictable UK weather is going to bring us this year. Poblanos, with their shiny, so deeply green they’re almost purple, sheen will almost certainly produce some contenders for Rude Veg of the Year 2024. While we wait for that glorious day, let’s marvel at the joint winners of the title from last year: a salacious pair of Pink Furry Bear tomatoes, who could barely keep their bits off each other in my greenhouse, and a very bushy carrot, which was one of only eight that grew from a full row at the allotment.