Mid April

What has Germinated mid April? My mange-tout are showing well, but only three peas have made it so far. They were planted in same trench at same time nearly a month ago. I had similar problems germinating peas last year, obviously doing something wrong. Mange-tout were just as easy last year providing they were protected from birds. I'll give the peas another week then resow them and I'll try soaking them this time unless anyone has other advice. The line of radishes that had germinated have now been eaten, hungry birds probably, you wouldn't think they would like them! Need to sow some more. I think a few parsnips are just starting to show but difficult to tell amongst all the weed seedlings. Lettuce is showing well, as is spinach. Lots of thinning needed there. Sunflowers also visible i'm excited to say, planted three weeks ago, i've only had success from indoor sowing previously and these are from seeds from last years plants, so free. As for the weeds, they are coming on nicely of couse! Loads of couch grass and other grasses are appearing. I think the bindweed is just starting to germinate, and masses of other stuff. Loads of howing and hand weeding needed. Potatoes that i planted (too) early March, 6 weeks ago, are showing less sign of life than ones planted 2 weeks ago but there is very little from any of them yet. I covered the first leaves on a few plants last night to protect from frost, but i think i need to investigate what is happening in the first trench as only one is showing. I didn't have much success with sequential planting of anything last year, things tended to be ready regardless of when planted, i'm trying to separate things by longer time frame this year but i think i was too hasty with my first row of potatoes. I've one more row of earlies then two rows of main crop still to go in during next couple of weeks or so. Loads to do, garden at home horribly neglected! Jo