Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 139 Entries. Tuesday, January 1 View Page Cauliflower plants(Darwin)are suffering from a week of hard frosts mid-Dec. and the continuing very wet conditions, older lower leaves will all be lost, but hopefully new centre ones will grow strongly after the winter. Happy new year to all. Tuesday, January 1 View Page Growing Leeks again for showing this summer. Blanch are Pendal, Heavy are Yorkshire giant (two seperate rootings to cover all the shows) giving them 10hrs supplementary lighting through the dark days. Thursday, January 17 View Page A week of foggy/frosty weather (-11c last night)suddenly cleared for a few moments leaving thick hoar frost on all the vegetation, we had started to log and fell the gale damaged Ponderosa pine but will have to wait until a Tractor can gain access. Monday, January 21 View Page Further snowfall, Onions and Leeks are being kept shut up all the time in their heated cabinet with the lights on during the day, not ideal but no sunshine and to cold to remove the covers. Last year I had planted my first 10 Onions out, looks like next month now. Monday, January 21 View Page My netted tunnel seems to hold the snow worse than the polythene covered ones, cleared Saturdays snow off but last nights fall now needs removing. Somewhere under it are my autumn Cauliflowers, have eaten the first variety and a few of the second ones. Not making any great size, to late. Thursday, January 24 View Page Cabbage started, mainly for display purposes. Exhibition Onions have germinated well, all ready for pricking out into 70mm pots using Lev. M2 compost. will keep them under 24hr light for a few weeks. Thursday, January 24 View Page Carrot and Parsnip started in pipes, some direct sown others transplanted - will see which grow best. They will be under 24hr light until weather improves and there is room for them in the greenhouse. Thursday, January 24 View Page Heated greenhouse cabinets are bursting at the seams with Onions and Leeks which want either planting out or potting on. Typical Onion plant has 9 green leaves and long Pendal leeks 6 leaves, in 230mm high pipes to try and draw them early. Thursday, January 31 View Page The UK weather is very variable - we have moved from deep snow /freezing temps. to almost spring in two days. Taken the opportunity to plant the first 8 Onions into my heated/lighted insulated tunnel. It will take them a few wks. to really straighten up and grow stronger leaves. Friday, February 22 View Page Planted up my second little Onion tunnel, does not have the same level of heating/lighting/ventilation as the first tunnel, but I can keep the plants warm and they were becoming pot bound in the greenhouse. Teased out the roots when planting. Friday, February 22 View Page First Cabbage moved on into 100mm pots of JI2 compost, second sowing just made in propagator. Growing mainly for exhibition this year as I found giant cabbage difficult to transport along with my other veg. Friday, February 22 View Page Bitter east wind with low temps. at presenr so have potted on my Broad beans in the greenhouse until conditions in the garden improve. Friday, March 1 View Page Leeks growing ok in the heated greenhouse cabinet, supplementary lighting switched off today and removed. Best Pendal are 200mm to button in 400mm collars, trying to draw them higher, 9leaves. Best Yorkshire Giants 9 leaves. All now in 225mm pots. Friday, March 1 View Page Giant Carrots and Parsnips are now away from lights in heated area, think they will need planting out earlier this year if I can provide suitable conditions? Friday, March 1 View Page Exhibition Onions just removed from 24hr lighting and now under 10hr supplementary. Potted on into 125mm pots with two canes and support clips, will try to keep upright now at all times. Friday, March 1 View Page Heavy Onions have grown since planting into the growing tunnel despite the cold /grey weather - adequate heating and lighting is a necessary expense lol. Best one 130mm high x 190mm circ. 13leaves. Similar to last year except not as high. Friday, March 1 View Page Overwintering Cauliflower in cold tunnel is far stronger than ones outside, will start to water/feed more as soon as the weather warms up. Expecting it to heart up in April - may be too hot inside then lol, we shall see - have to try different methods, the aim is to grow a heavy one. Monday, March 11 View Page Lost a good Onion today, soft rot almost right through the bulb. May have started in the greenhouse before planting in the tunnel or the result of keeping it to closed up during recent very cold weather - light covering of snow again today and bitter NE wind. Friday, March 22 View Page Finally received my certificate from Guinness World Records for the longest Parsnip. Good to have their offical recognition. March continues to be dark, wet, cold, and now more snow. Not even prepared yet to grow long roots again this year. Saturday, March 23 View Page 24hrs of blizzard conditions and still snowing, slipping off my heated Onion outer tunnel, but other tunnels and frames still in winter. Last year I was busy planting out into these areas - a long time to wait yet, soil temp. under these covers only 3-4oC Sunday, March 31 View Page First double Onion for 3 or 4 years - I thought my current growing method was sound. Have removed it from my main tunnel and may replace it with a late exhibition plant. There is another plant which looks as if it may double also, only started with 8 so this may be a disaster. Sunday, March 31 View Page Cut the Onion bulb vertically and found that it had actually split into 3 centres. Knowing how quickly the leaves grow it can only be 2 or 3 weeks since it happened - cannot pinpoint a cause at this time, can only hope no more follow. Monday, April 1 View Page Problems with some Onions so this is a photo of a better one 225mm high x 274mm circ. with 17 green leaves. Weather still frosty and grey with bitter NE wind, the plants and me need some sunshine lol Wednesday, April 3 View Page Last snow has meltted today and Crocus have opened in the afternoon sunshine - Spring is forcast to start in 10days so we are only a month behind lol. Offically the coldest or 2nd coldest (depending on location) March on record. It is a good job that the Giant Veg. shows are later this year. Thursday, April 11 View Page Spring has not arrived yet but four giant Leeks needed planting. These are the largest ones and now need more space in my small tunnel. I can switch on low space heating as required (required tonight lol) Thursday, April 11 View Page Broad Beans planted outside today, soil and air temp around 4c but they were spoiling in their 100mm pots and they are already hardened off. Very good plants but will be late producing this year. Sunday, April 14 View Page Spring is on the way with wind from the south, planted out 18 long Leeks in two frames and tunnel. Large plants and would have been better planted earlier, but soil only just reached 10c. Sunday, April 14 View Page Two Parsnips planted in polythene covered tunnel and others in my netted tunnel, in case we have a long hot summer lol. Again they were really spoiling in their 100mm pipes, roots have been restricted. Tuesday, April 16 View Page Planted 15 exhibition Onions into 35litre pots filled with JI2/3 these were sown 8th Jan. and should make 5/6lb dressed bulbs for showing in Sept. Sunday, April 21 View Page Planted first Cabbage out today in my netted tunnel, planning to grow for exhibition as well as heaviest. Have two later sowings growing on in the cold greenhouse as back up's. Last year 2 out of 5 went to seed. Saturday, April 27 View Page Giant Beetroot and Swede planted, these two are outside in my netted tunnel but also have others inside tunnel and large greenhouse,trying to allow for any summer weather. Monday, April 29 View Page March 2011 I said that the first pink chestnut buds opened at this time every year, well 2013 it is a month later. Clearly not due to day length, must be soil/air temp. The tree is confirming what I know - it's been a long winter. Wednesday, May 1 View Page Onions growing ok. no more problems with double heads, not as high as last year generally at this time and fewer leaves - this one 255mm high x 410mm circ. 18 good leaves. clear suuuy weather this week so should see improved growth rate. Saturday, May 4 View Page Plum trees are full of blossom, we have had a few ground frosts while they were out but no air frosts, so should be ok. Asked a retired UK weather forcaster what the summer will be like - after a long technical comment, in brief he thinks it will be similar to last year, changeable but mainly cool/wet. Our weather is influenced by the Jet Stream, higher temp. in the artic/lower temp. in the tropics - lower differential = weak jet stream, this means it will wave across us to the north and south of the UK bringing short spells of hot/dry or cool/wet for the whole of the year. Not what I wanted to hear but he may be right? Saturday, May 4 View Page Finally lifted the last of the short carrots, they have kept generally sound left in their raised bed over the long winter. we will still have a few more to eat, but some were running to seed. Thursday, May 9 View Page Started my Field Pumpkin this week, seem vigorous, may be ready to plant outside before the last frosts are over. Still have others chitting. Friday, May 17 View Page Had to weigh giant califlower early because when the guard leaves opened up I could see brown rot starting in the curds. Happy with the weight but not able to claim a world record - always next year lol. Friday, May 17 View Page Early Field Pumpkins and Marrows which I said were looking strong are now very sick. Blameing the compost because they have not been right since potting on into 125mm. Will have to start again, still time as the weather too cold for planting outside. Friday, May 17 View Page Giant potato in 225mm pot being planted in my enclosed raised bed. trying to gain a few weeks but soil and air temp. still low. If late frost I will have to cover with fleece. Sunday, May 26 View Page Warm sunshine, heated up tunnel soil, planted all Watermelons out. All four plants were my own seed as none of the others germinated/or made strong plants. Covered with a small polythene cloche to increase humidity. Sunday, May 26 View Page Planted out first Long Cucumber into barrel inside my large greenhouse, used new sterilized soil to try and keep them healthy. Only just ready but weather ideal. This seed is from a good friend/grower so will try to look after it. Sunday, May 26 View Page Long Runner Beans planted outside while weather good, giving them more space this year which means less plants, but hope it helps their growth and allows the wind to pass through the row. Sunday, May 26 View Page Six Giant Tomatoes planted inside deep barrels within my tunnel. Aim to add more soil around stem as they grow, producing stronger plants, I hope. First flower truss just formed - removed. Thursday, May 30 View Page Having swapped giant seeds for Pumpkins I am now growing two more plants this year, only to see how they do out in the garden rather than trying for a heavyweight. Had a cloche over the soil to raise the temp. slightly, open ground is still only 10c Thursday, May 30 View Page Also planted out my first Field Pumpkins, warm few days forecast so should give them a good start. At this stage they look very much like Marrows - hope I have not mixed them up, lol Saturday, June 1 View Page This Onion has grown steadily during May, now 380mm high x 550mm circ. 21 leaves. Think this may be the best one. Lets hope I can say this in July. Saturday, June 1 View Page Not all Onions are as good, Removed this today with 'Saddleback' cause unknown but may be due to check and then surge in growth. Not had this problem for a few years so may be the season. Lets hope this is the end of their problems as I have now lost 25% with one thing or another. Sunday, June 9 View Page Cantaloupe Melons planted into large barrels in my old greenhouse, best in new compost, others in last years with more perlite and fert. added. Not large plants yet, should allow them to grow away quicker. Lets hope we have more sunshine this year as they did not like the dull weather in 2012. Sunday, June 9 View Page Exhibition Onions are starting to bulb, all healthy so far but not very even. Using various supports to try and keep them upright. Thursday, June 13 View Page Four early cabbage have run up to seed, not surprised with the cold grey spring. Have to hope that the later ones will be ok. Wind has finally moved out of the East into warmer/humid SW. After all the early wet we could now do with a good shower, lol Saturday, June 15 View Page Marrows which I had grown on in 250mm pots have been planted out in the open ground, they were not root bound so hope they will get away quickly. Early planted small plants have been knocked about with the cold/winds, we shall see which do the best later. Thursday, June 27 View Page Beetroot has started to run to seed, so far just the side shoots which I am removing, soon it will come up from the centre. Almost half my plants affected, may be one of those years with the late spring. Thursday, June 27 View Page Carrots which have not run to seed showing very varied top growth, these two are different varieties and you would think the one with the large top will have the heaviest carrot under - not always the case. Saturday, June 29 View Page Bus load of NVS members from the Manchester & Cheshire DA, they mainly grow exhibition veg. so not sure what they made of the giants. Fortunate with a fine warmer day. Seemed to relate more to my smaller Onions. Saturday, June 29 View Page This is my best Pumpkin plant, now out of its protective cloche. Has a lot of growing to do to catch up with everyone. Just as well I am not wanting to show them. Saturday, June 29 View Page Field Pumpkins have not done much better with the grey/cold June weather, this is one of the best and I think it still has time to produce a reasonable plant through July/August. Saturday, June 29 View Page Cucumbers growing in a section of my old large greenhouse, trying to keep them warm and humid. They are in clean compost and look healthy at present. Also have two in a polytunnel, so giving them my best effort. Saturday, June 29 View Page Cantaloupe Melons have not liked the June weather, but still healthy so may still make it in time for the late Sept. show. Monday, July 1 View Page Onions still there, but not putting on the weight I would have expected. 483mm high x 643mm circ. 18 green leaves. Still one of the best, so with a sunnier (but not to hot)July it may make it. Monday, July 1 View Page Potatoes have grown, scratched around in soil at base of stem and removed all small ones - hopefully just leaving one to grow on. New potatoes for tea. Have given them a spray of protective fungicide against blight but mainly relying on their undercover position to prevent infection. Monday, July 1 View Page Two Watermelon plants have started to run, trying to keep the humidity high inside a polythene cover. They drop in the midday heat but recover in the cool evening, hope the roots are ok. Found first female flower today. Monday, July 1 View Page Found half my outside Parsnips are running up to seed, not able to save them this early - have to hope the remainder and the three inside do not follow. Must have started them to early in a late season. Monday, July 1 View Page First flowers open on seeding giant Onions, after hours of work keeping them healthy and free from disease. All they need now are Bee's to pollinate them, I shake and brush the flowers when passing by to help. Monday, July 1 View Page Remaining early Cabbage now looks good, it did not run to seed like the others for some reason. Growing in my netted tunnel for protection but a cabbage white butterfly found its way in at the weekend so will have to keep a close eye out for caterpillars. Monday, July 1 View Page Marrow starting to run and I am starting to bury the main stem when long enough. Similar practice to training pumpkins. Do not expect to set a marrow until mid July when we have warmer nights. Sunday, July 7 View Page The early photo of our Victoria plum blossom has resulted in a bumper fruit set. Downsize is that the fruit weight will collapse the tree branches or wet weather later in August will send them rotten with being so close together. Sunday, July 7 View Page Hot, clear sunny weather yesterday resulted in leaf scorch on the Pumpkins and Marrows, even hotter today, 30c + in the garden, so trying to protect young growth tips/leaves. Shading on Leeks and Onions. My large onions have the air conditioning unit running as well, but unable to lower temp below 28c. Thursday, July 11 View Page Seed heads showing on my best long Leeks, looks like they could all go the same way. They should not go to seed this year, must have had a check either in the greenhouse or since planting out. May be the late spring? as other veg started early is also running to seed. Thursday, July 18 View Page 2 weeks into a heatwave(for the UK) and temps. still rising. Very dry now as well, none of my veg. liking it, tried to cover giant cabbage from the midday sun, using anything to hand as there is no wind to blow it off. Thursday, July 18 View Page Even Cantaloupe melons finding it to hot and dry in the greenhouse, not making the vigourous growth of previous years. At least I have a female flower this year lol, we will see if it sets. Spraying them over with water during the day as the greenhouse temps. can reach 40c. Friday, July 19 View Page Californian poppies loving this weather as are most flowers with watering in the evening. Friday, July 19 View Page Runner bean plants enjoying the sunshine with watering and feeding most days. Trying to restrict the number of flower trusses and side shoots, however about now with all the watering each day and the heat problem of being out in the garden between 10am to 6pm they will do their own thing. Friday, July 19 View Page Perhaps surprisingly the first trusses have set well, I thought the dry heat might prevent this. Still a possibility that they will grow curly rather than long and straight which I want. We have clear blue skies every day now, unheard of in recent years. Friday, July 19 View Page Field Pumpkin plant has grown quickly and the first female flower has opened today - no male flowers around so not sure if it will set, still plenty of time. I was down to one AG Pumpkin plant but now find it has a cracked main stem, so not very hopeful. Friday, July 19 View Page Exhibition Onions have grown well but are finishing with this heat. Dressed each one today to a sound skin and will lift to dry off in perhaps 5 days. Shading the newly exposed skins from the hot sun with light fleece. Monday, July 22 View Page Marrows are being left on to flower although no males ones out. I will allow at least one more to set on each plant. Sun scorch still a problem as you can see around the leaf edges, but the real problem is with the growing tips which I am shading. Very dry now but thunderstorms forecast tomorrow. Wednesday, July 24 View Page Last evening we received 73mm of rain in 1.5hrs in a torrential thunderstorm, waded up our lane to photograph our normally placid stream. It had broken its bank and completely flooded the main road through the village, I hope not to many houses were inundated. Wednesday, July 24 View Page By comparison the flooding in our garden is more bearable, I do not think I will need to use the water butt for some time. Good job some of my veg. are in raised beds, my main concern is the effect it will have on my hearted up cabbage and young marrows. Friday, July 26 View Page Cucumbers are growing slowly, perhaps it is to hot for them, This long in the greenhouse has done the best so far but I need it to at least double in length. Have lost two growing in my Water Melon tunnel, clearly far to hot. Hope these keep healthy. Friday, July 26 View Page Giant Radish now started and seem to be growing away, always a risk of them going to seed with the hot sunny days, I am not trying to alter the day length this year with starting later. Friday, July 26 View Page Tomato has been left to grow on, even though it will be too early for our later show. This is a double fruit which has set well and may turn out heavy in the current hot humid weather. Friday, July 26 View Page Marrow also now left to grow on, open pollinated (I hope) and should grow quickly after all the heavy rain and warmth. Can still set another if need be. Have more plants than I can easily manage but expect some problems with splits, and later mildew etc. so need backups. Thursday, August 1 View Page Pumpkin/Field p. foliage has really taken off since the rains and hot sunshine, I will have to let them grow untrimmed apart from cutting a away through to the pumpkins. Thursday, August 1 View Page First Pumpkin which has set properly, well behind everyone else, but it has at least 6 weeks to grow before my first show. Thursday, August 1 View Page I have 2 Field Pumpkins which are larger and look strong, will see if they finish up heavier. 30c+ again today and more rain yesterday. Thursday, August 1 View Page Almost as expected the recent hot/wet weather has split the early marrows, have another growing on this plant so hope it has better conditions. Shading these from direct sun but little I can do about the rain. Thursday, August 1 View Page Featured Onion has grown disappointedly slowly, 534mm x 686mm circ. with 14 greenish leaves. I find it has almost stopped growing now as have most of the others. I have run an air/con. unit in this tunnel with shading from the hot sun, but does not seem to have made much difference. Thursday, August 1 View Page I have a better looking Onion in my second tunnel which looks fresher, I hope it keeps growing slowly over the next 6 weeks, but most in this tunnel are already finishing. Friday, August 2 View Page Cauliflower plug plants arrived from a good grower (thanks David) for me to grow on overwinter and hopefully have another attempt again at the record for the heaviest. Will stand these outside in my netted tunnel and keep potting on until planting in their final growing area in the autumn. Saturday, August 3 View Page Cantaloupe melons have finally set at least two fruit, 8 weeks to the show so may be just right, if I can keep the plant healthy lol. Saturday, August 3 View Page Watermelon also set at least one, earlier ones can to nothing but this sound. It seems as though there is a time of year when the conditions are right for all melons - lets hope its now. Tuesday, August 6 View Page Long Leeks lifted for our local NVS display at Bakewell show, not perfect but will look great when part of the large veg. collection. Also provided six dressed Onions, these needed another week or so to finish ripening off. Tuesday, August 6 View Page Because of the exceptional fruit set on our Victoria fruit trees I set to thinning them out on one tree. This is the result of 2+ hours work so the other trees will have to take their chance. Tuesday, August 6 View Page Beetroot have all run to seed but still removing side shoots. There is still a difference in the leaves between the different seed strains. Tuesday, August 6 View Page Found the first seed head on my Swede's today, cut out the tip. This plant is in my netted tunnel and with the heat and now rain has made lots of foliage. I just hope it keeps sound for a few more weeks. Tuesday, August 6 View Page Carrots which have all run to seed continue to produce a mass of leaves and so far now more seed heads. I expect this growth is at the expense of root weight. Monday, August 19 View Page Growing Carrots/Beetroot/Parsnips for the longest root, however only the Carrots seem to healthy, think the poor start and then the hot sunshine has ruined my chances for the shows. Monday, August 19 View Page Marrows on this plant seem to have reverted back to some earlier strain or else the seed cross pollinated. They are short and fat, not at all like those on my other plants which are growing to their normal length/circ. Now the weather has moderated I am getting better sets and hope to have a decent one to show. Monday, August 19 View Page Berries ripening on our Rowan tree seem to suggest autumn is on the way, I need at least 5 weeks good growing conditions first lol. Tuesday, August 20 View Page Removed the inner polythene cover from over my Watermelon plants, weeded best I could without stepping on vines and them replaced. Keeping the humidity up does seem to help keep the plants healthy. Only one small melon so far in the picture (300mm long) Tuesday, August 20 View Page Radish have been devastated by caterpillars, despite spraying with a so called environmentally friendly insecticide, picked over 30 off these two plants. young centre has been eaten away so plants will be slow to recover. Tuesday, August 20 View Page Pleased with Field Pumpkin which I swapped seeds for with a Canadian grower. It has a more cylindrical shape than others I have grown and looks vigorous. Have to hope we have enough growing time left to fulfil its potential. Tuesday, August 20 View Page Best Cabbage plant has tipped over, heavy heart made it top heavy and the weak half barrel did not provide enough support. Half the root pulled out of the soil so have watered and earthed up. It may keep it going until the first show. Thursday, August 22 View Page Enjoyed a visit by a coach load of Belgium growers having a trip around England's fruit and veg. areas. Seemed to be their first experience of Giant vegetables - lets hope they take up the challenge. Thursday, August 22 View Page We joined them on visits to two other local fruit growers later in the day. This is an example of how Bramley apples should be growing in this exceptional fruit year. Thursday, August 22 View Page and pears, trained against a wall. Thursday, August 22 View Page Grapes growing within a protective open sided structure, netted to keep out birds (and visitors) prior to being shown. In all a very interesting day and within a few miles of home. Thursday, August 22 View Page Onions are no competition for heavyweight shows, but a good crop growing outside for kitchen use. Surprised how green and strong the tops still are compared with mine - clearly cooler in the open. Sunday, August 25 View Page Still having Marrow problems, this young one has split overnight around the 'dill' ring, It was the last one left on the plant. Rain and high humidity over last 24hrs. sudden growth always finds the weak areas. Good job I have other plants with sound ones growing. Sunday, September 1 View Page Onions have hardly put on any growth during August and are now going backwards as the leaves and necks die away. cleaned off dry skins and measured, 698mm circ. x 580 to top of neck. Think the hot weather in July stopped them and while August was normal, we are faced with another hot week now. Monday, September 2 View Page Potato foliage is looking tired and showing effects of blight, however we are at the end off their season and there appears to be some sizeable potato's under the surface, already lifted one for a show at 1.4kg Monday, September 2 View Page Lost another Swede this week (always seems to be just before a show)Could smell it walking by and close inspection revelled a rotten area on the shoulder leaking down underneath. Wednesday, September 11 View Page Entered the Rhondda giant veg show, a new world record Swede. Just my luck coming second when I was showing a PB at just over 33kg. Wednesday, September 11 View Page Had more luck with the heavy Onion class at Maryport, nearly 7kg trimmed. Well down on last years winning weight. Seems to be the same for most growers, late spring/hot summer. Have to wait and see what turns up at this weekends Harrogate show. Saturday, September 14 View Page Australian TV crew (7 of them) visited garden to see me load up giant veg. for Harrogate show this weekend. At least I was able to have help lifting Pumpkin/Marrow/Cabbage into my estate car. Saturday, September 14 View Page On arrival at the show at 5.00am we were met by a Belgium TV crew who wanted to film the results of my summers growing after visiting the garden in the spring. They were handy helping me unload the heavy veg. 2nd with the Pumpkin, 3rd with the Marrow and 1st with the Cabbage. Thursday, September 19 View Page Won the heaviest Onion at the Harrogate show, 6.86kg(15lb 1.5oz) and the three heaviest 19.23kg(42lb 5oz) well down on last years record year, but still clear of the competition. The heaviest was the one I have been featuring on BP during the season. Wednesday, October 2 View Page My Pumpkin may not be the largest but it impresses our nephew's baby. Field Pumpkins have done better and are all turning orange now, hope to show the largest at East of England. Wednesday, October 2 View Page Malvern Autumn show hosted the UK National Giant Veg. competition this year, over 50 exhibitors with 250 entries, some of which can be seen on this group picture taken as we cleared away. It looks like being a permanent venue. Wednesday, October 2 View Page I broke my own Longest Parsnip world record with 5.930m, not very impressive to photograph, even more difficult to stage in one piece. There were some strong entries in the longest classes. Wednesday, October 2 View Page I had a personal best with a 34kg Swede, however Ian Neale shattered the world record with one at 54kg. I think this will stand for some time. Wednesday, October 2 View Page Over 20 large Marrows, I came second with 48.8kg, just under the winning 50.2kg. Everyone's weights down this year so clearly not a good season for them. All complaining of large ones splitting/rotting. Wednesday, October 2 View Page Ian Neale also staged a new UK record Tomato at 2.6kg, generally all Tomato weights were up so they enjoyed a good season. I could only manage 4th with 1.75kg. Wednesday, October 2 View Page I did win the Cantaloupe Melon class with 4.8kg against weak entries, mine and most others were overripe. Overall I won 6 1st's and tied with 60pts. for most points in the show. Wednesday, October 2 View Page Starting to think about next year now, Cauliflowers being grown for the heaviest need to be overwintered in their permanent beds inside my cool tunnel, however having to wait until I clear out the last Leeks and Tomato's. In their 225mm pots they soon dry out, so clearly becoming root bound. Monday, October 7 View Page The marvellous fruit harvest continues, these are Merryweather Damsons, not only larger than normal but a bumper crop. Monday, October 7 View Page Have now planted the first of the cauliflowers into my cold greenhouse raised bed, a little later than last year but these are strong plants and the weather is good so far. Hope they will establish before the winter. Monday, October 7 View Page Lifted and weighed most of my Field Pumpkins, largest is 49kg (108lb) so pleased with them. All Pumpkins grown outside this year seem to have gained this bright orange colour. Sunday, October 13 View Page Planted out my last overwintering Cauliflowers, into the small polythene tunnel barrels now that the Giant Leeks have been shown. Noticeably smaller than those planted a few weeks earlier, we will see if it affects when they form a curd in the spring. Monday, October 28 View Page Attended a weekend Gardening/showing seminar in the North East organised by the Northern Horticultural Society. I gave a talk on growing giant Marrows. Renewed my subs. to the National Pot Leek society and came away with these Cumbria pot leek plants to hopefully show up there next Sept. Friday, November 15 View Page Large Onions started, first tray removed from propagator today to stand under 24hr light. Very good germination, older seed needs another day or so. Propagator temp. found to be too high so trays stood on thin insulation strips to avoid seed trays drying out. Friday, November 15 View Page Leek grass started this week, two different types, Pendal long leek, Yorkshire Giant heavy leek. They were dipped in a fungicide before setting in clean compost and now in a propagator. They should root in 3 to 4 days. and will then be transferred into my growing cabinet. Wednesday, November 27 View Page Problems with my Onion seedlings, the seed leaf is not allowing the first true leaf to grow upright. I have had the odd one like this in the past but this year most are affected, trying to carefully cut the thin skin free (not easy) Not sure of the reason - ? seed dressing/compost or too dry atmosphere. Wednesday, November 27 View Page While the weather is dry and mild I am empting two bays of my raised front trench. Found the soil is full of "pink root" will water base with a disinfectant and leave open over winter before refilling with new soil. Friday, November 29 View Page Still picking apples at the end of November, this variety, Golden Delicious, takes a long time to ripen this far north, but hangs on even in strong winds. Sunday, December 1 View Page Time for my 1st of the month Onion photo. Potted a few of the better plants into 100mm pots, two true leaves now. Had to throw out the worst trapped plants but most have now responded to my surgery. Sunday, December 1 View Page Cumbria pot leek/Pendal long leek/Yorkshire Giant pot leek, all now started and growing on under 8hr supplementary lighting in my heated greenhouse. The Cumbria plants are showing signs of virus but hope this will not affect their growth greatly. Sunday, December 1 View Page Giant Cabbage plants have grown well in my tunnel with the reasonable Nov. weather, will have to protect them from severe winter frosts during the next few months. Wednesday, December 25 View Page Spent Christmas Day on the beach-needed to wrap up well, lol. Rest of the UK flooded and severe gales, we have been lucky. Moved my Onions out of 24hr lighting into the greenhouse yesterday, now have 10hrs supplementary lights.