Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 127 Entries. Sunday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year to all giant vegetable growers. Starting my 3rd years diary with Leeks, pot leek for the heaviest on the left and Pendal long leek on the right for the exhibition classes. Lets hope this year can be as successful as the last. Friday, January 6 View Page Onions are snug inside the greenhouse cabinet, however no severe frosts so far, only gales. Now have rainfall figures for 2011 - total 400mm(16") [average 650mm(26")] driest month April 2mm, wettest Dec. 75mm(3") Saturday, January 21 View Page It has been like Christmas this week, first I received my certificate from Guinness World Records for the heaviest Onion, them four Trophies from the EGVGA for giant veg. successes in Europe last season. Saturday, January 21 View Page While we appear to be having a mild spell of weather again, I have planted out 10 Onions today into my protected tunnel. The sodium lights make everything look yellow but we have had little natural daylight due to the light rain. It will take a week for the plants to straighten up. Friday, January 27 View Page Giant Pot Leeks now in 225mm (9"), Giant Cabbage pricked out yesterday, Broad Beans just germinating - seems more like the start of another season. Have also sown giant Parsnip and Carrot. Wednesday, February 1 View Page First planted out Onions are beginning to stand up and appear unchecked by their move. 10 green leaves. Hard frosts at present so having to keep the heating going. Sunday, February 5 View Page Snowy Pumpkin patch, almost 100mm (4") overnight, now -9c. Heated Tunnel and Greenhouse temp's kept up o.k. trying not to think of the expense lol. Tuesday, February 7 View Page Very cold weather, -15c forecast for tonight and tomorrow, tried to increase the Onion tunnel insulation by covering with available boards and fleece - not the prettiest site but will help the heating. Sunday, February 12 View Page Friday looks as if it was the coldest day of the winter -16c overnight only lifting to -2c during Saturday. However ('what a difference a day makes') today slight thaw which should continue all week. Little grows in these conditions without adequate lighting/heating. Saturday, February 18 View Page Planted up 10 Onions in my second later tunnel yesterday, trying a different lighting system and keeping them on during the day for 10.5hrs. The sun did shine for a few minutes today but still weak. No holidays or trips out now. Tuesday, February 21 View Page Cabbage now potted on into 100mm(4") pots of JI no2 compost, Carrots and Parsnips have germinated in their deep pipes, and later seedling Leeks are beginning to grow away strongly. Still having to run supplementary lighting over them as little sunshine so far. Friday, February 24 View Page Planted out 4 'Giant' leeks in my little heated tunnel while it is mild weather, early, but they were ready and I did not want to pot them on again. Last years earliest plantings did not turn out the best - will have to look after these better. Thursday, March 1 View Page A month on and the new Onion leaves have grown erect inside their support rings, so far so good 150mm(6")high x 180mm(7")circ. slightly larger circ. than last year at this time. Wednesday, March 7 View Page Giant Beetroot & Swede started, good germination of own'08 beet seed. Cabbage potted on into 175mm(7") pots. Later new DM seedling Leeks are looking very healthy. Long Leeks now in 225mm(9") collars. Wednesday, March 7 View Page Seeding giant Onions are having the usual problem of soft/decaying skins, removing these as necessary to try and keep the healthy growing centre sound. My world record one is not looking too good, need to carefully remove further skins. Monday, March 12 View Page Broad beans have been planted out a couple of weeks and are now established. Weather has been mild and some rain showers. Have not needed to provide protection this year. Monday, March 12 View Page First Daffodils in flower, only have a few early bulbs and yesterdays warm (19c) weather has brought them on. It was too hot in the Onion tunnels, all fans had to be brought into use with full ventilation. Thursday, March 22 View Page Potted on giant Cabbage into 225mm(9") pots as to cold to plant out. Soil covered today with large cloche to warm up (only 7c now) over the next 2 to 3 weeks. Sunday, March 25 View Page We are having a mini heatwave by day but hard frosts overnight, difficult conditions. Planted out first 5 long Leeks and 2 Swede in my enclosed raised bed which I can easily ventilate, closed up and covered with fleece overnight. Thursday, March 29 View Page It is so hot by day that I am having to shade the Onion tunnel which is still covered by the larger outer one. We have never had such a long spell of quite sunny weather in March. Thursday, March 29 View Page Ideal conditions for refilling my remaining raised beds and covering over again after the winter. I use large twin-wall sheets for these home made frames. Taken care of most have lasted over 10years. Thursday, March 29 View Page Seed potatoes are chitting well, been kept frost free inside the barn and now out in the greenhouse. Having to cover over at night but they are benefiting from the good sunlight. Hoping to try a few 'Kondor' virus free mini-tubers this year to see if they will produce a larger potato. Sunday, April 1 View Page Onions growing very well, this is one of the best, 240mm(9.5") high x 292mm(11.5") circ. with 17green leaves. Perhaps 2weeks ahead of last year - lets hope it continues. Sunday, April 1 View Page Good news for all Pumpkin growers - a new open show for the Heaviest Pumpkin at the RHS London Harvest Festival Show, Lindley Hall, Westminster. Staging Monday 8th Oct. good prizes 1st £1000 down to 5th £200. entry form/details RHS Georgina Barter on 020 7821 3142 or [email protected] Good luck. Tuesday, April 3 View Page Six loads of fresh strawy manure delivered today from a farmer relative in the village. Will need to be left to rot down for 18months, fortunately I still have a little left from his delivery 2years ago. Have used it for improving Pumpkin, Marrow, Cabbage, Bean areas, etc. Wednesday, April 11 View Page Cabbage have been planted into my netted tunnel for a few days now, having to cover with a polythene cloche overnight as frosts this week. Wednesday, April 11 View Page Even though cold at night I have had to plant out my early giant Carrot and Parsnip plants, They were spoiling in the greenhouse and have become pot bound. Different method this year growing outside in my netted tunnel, not a good start with the weather. Wednesday, April 11 View Page Mini Kondor seed potatoes have arrived from Jamieson Brothers. Need to set them up in the warmth & light to sprout. They are virus free and should be vigorous growers, I will try a few for the heaviest but mainly growing for next years seed if I can keep them clean of aphids. Monday, April 16 View Page Exhibition onions sown late Jan. have been potted on into 225mm(9") They only received supplementary daytime lighting but will be large enough to plant outside at the end of May. Tried early germination of own Watermelon and 100% success Monday, April 16 View Page Potato spruts removed from new standard tubers and potted up. Will grow these on in the greenhouse for a few weeks until frosts have finished. Sunday, April 22 View Page Since we have been officialy declared a drought area it has never stopped raining. Pond is full to overflowing now but had been dry all winter. We need the rain but not the cold grey days that come with it. Daffodils are lasting well. Sunday, April 22 View Page Started my giant Tomatoes, first sowing of seed from the 2010 5lb one now pricked out and a second sowing just removed from propagator. Sunday, April 29 View Page Yet more rain and now the garden is flooded. I can only review current progress - Giant veg. started, Leeks, Onions, Cabbage, Parsnips, Carrots, Swede, Beetroot, Long roots(carrot/parsnip/beetroot), Potatoes, Tomato, Watermelon, Cucumber, Radish. Still to start - Marrow, Beans, Cantoloupe melons. Sunday, April 29 View Page 'Red gutter' our dyke has hardly run for 2years, now you could be washed away. You can see type of subsoil I am gardening on. Temp midday only 4c(40F), not good growing conditions, LOL. Exhibition veg. update, Started - Parsnips, Carrots(long), Onions, Tomatoes. Still to start - Carrots(short), Field Pumpkin. Kitchen veg have been started - Broad beans, French beans, Cauli, Brussel, Courgette, Potatoes. Tuesday, May 1 View Page Onions have grown despite the weather, supplementary lighting and heating still being used when required. 400mm(16")circ. x 285mm(11.2")high, 19green leaves. Tuesday, May 1 View Page While it has been raining I have been trying to make a few simple covers for planting out Field Pumpkins and Marrows. I have six made and they are all different. Tuesday, May 15 View Page Long roots are thinned out to one and these are beginning to grow away. If they had not been enclosed with a little heating at night to keep them frost free, they would have failed. Tuesday, May 15 View Page Cabbage now supported on timbers, growing ok, likeing the rain but not the cold. Covers will have to be replaced tonight as -2c forecast. This part of the garden is a frost pocket (even in the middle of May) Saturday, May 19 View Page Late sown Onions planted up today into 27litre pots. Will try growing these on in the greenhouse, but pots may prove to small unless I shade and feed later in the season. Saturday, May 19 View Page Mini Potato tubers have produced their first shoots which have been removed and potted up to grow on in the cool greenhouse until weather suitable for planting. They will grow quickly (once we have some sunshine, lol) Monday, May 28 View Page Sudden heatwave, removed outer polythene cover from my onion tunnel to allow more air circulation. Fixed white shade netting against very strong sunshine. We need the sun but the heat is a problem. Monday, May 28 View Page Leeks being shaded in their tunnel. They have grown well in the cool grey weather but will not like the heat. Insect predators just been renewed so should cope with the expected explosion of thrips and spidermite for a few weeks. Monday, May 28 View Page Shaded my exhibition long Parsnips and Carrots best I can at short notice, the black metal barrels were red hot facing the sun. Monday, May 28 View Page Marrows and Field Pumpkins planted out. Used my new cloches but soon found it was to hot inside, so removing during the day if winds not to strong. Monday, May 28 View Page Planted giant Tomatoes into my old greenhouse, allowing plenty of room this year for some to see if it will help. First trusses will be removed, may run with the third and fourth. Monday, May 28 View Page First of the Potato mini tuber plants set into old leek frame bed, they are only just ready but the current heatwave makes it difficult to look after vegetables in pots. Still have some smaller ones to follow on in the open garden in perhaps 2 weeks. Friday, June 1 View Page Onions are growing well, even though the recent hot spell has increased the older leaf loss. 525mm(20.7")circ x 373mm(14.7")high with 23green leaves. Only have 10 plants in my tunnel but really 8 would have given them more room. Friday, June 1 View Page Marrows were planted out in a rush when the hot weather started, they are now growing away well and I am starting to direct the main stem before partly covering with soil. Friday, June 1 View Page Watermelons have been planted into an unheated tunnel, but so far we have had warm nights. This year I intend to keep the area closed up more and thereby increase the humidity. Friday, June 1 View Page Long Cucumbers are in the same tunnel as I think they may benefit from the warmth/humidity. Lets hope I can keep fungal problems at bay, they are growing in sterilised compost. Thursday, June 7 View Page Celebrated our Queens Diamond Jubilee with a tea party for the neighbours, My wife has been busy decorating the room and I have placed bunting and flags outside. Makes a change from gardening. Saturday, June 9 View Page After a week of wet/dark/cold weather I have now planted my Cantoloupe Melons. Changed the soil in the barrels using Peat/John Innes soil mix 50/50 with a little Perlite. I find melons prone to root disease. Sunday, June 10 View Page Rough start for my Feild Pumpkins, this one is the best and now that the winds have died down I have removed the protective cloches. Growing three different strains, not my intention, but seeds gave poor germination. Thursday, June 14 View Page Spidermite on my best giant Leeks, you can see the white discolouration on the centre flag, to the right is a clean one(at present) They have attacked all the plants despite my use of insect predators over the last 3months to prevent this. Predators renewed again today, will see if 2000 can be effective? Saturday, June 23 View Page Giant Beetroot problem, major splitting at soil level. It happened last year with the ones in the greenhouse, think it may be due to the root being exposed, subjecting it to extremes of temp/moisture. Raised the soil level around the remaining two plants. Friday, June 29 View Page Giant Cauliflowers have come far to early to make any special weight,(should not complain as they are selling for £2 each in our supermarket) difficult season and not showing any signs of improvement. Friday, June 29 View Page Found 2 giant Cabbage have run to seed, just when I though they liked this cool/wet season. 1.5m dia (5ft) what a waste. Have 3 left - will they follow? Looks like being the wettest June since records began in England. Friday, June 29 View Page Not having a good day - found two giant Leeks starting with a shredded centre, must be the weather for 2 different strains to both shred at the same time. Hope no others follow. I have The National Pot Leek Society visiting in about 2weeks, so perhaps they will have a view on the cause. Saturday, June 30 View Page Cold/rain/wind has not suited Runner Beans, these are my 2nd sowing just starting to reach for the canes, they do not look strong at present. Saturday, June 30 View Page Giant Marrows have been battered by wind and rain since covers removed. Hope to take part in the 'crazy-growers challenge' It will be a challenge to grow a decent Marrow outside this year. I have some plants in a netted tunnel which offers some protection from the wind, but not the cold and rain. Sunday, July 1 View Page Onion still growing strongly, 622mm(24.5")circ. 508mm(20")high, 24greenish leaves. Would have liked more circ. seems to be putting most growth into high strong neck. Hope that when the weather improves, circ. will follow. Sunday, July 1 View Page Seeding Onions are producing very strong heads, this is the largest over 125mm(5")dia ball. Hope they all set, there is at least one bee working on them. Thursday, July 5 View Page Our flower borders have liked the wet cool weather even if the Field Pumpkins have not. Cannot remember so many flowers and lush growth in the beds around my greenhouses. Saturday, July 14 View Page Garden visit by the National Pot Leek Society, fortunately we had a fine day so they could have a good look around, not sure what they made of Giant Veg. In their view the shredding of leek centres is caused by a hole in the root plate (either way they will be unshowable) Saturday, July 14 View Page They may have been impressed by the size of my giant leeks(right hand one) but the Spidermite damage was a concern. Left hand Leek is the new seedling which I am trying to pull for an intermediate. Cool damp weather is suiting my Leeks although other growers report theirs running to seed. Saturday, July 14 View Page Tried to pollinate first Marrow flowers although this one is on a side shoot. With my first show only 6weeks away I need any marrow flower to set lol. Saturday, July 14 View Page Still 2 Bean plants to reach top of their canes in the early row, but most now have first flowers open, plants are not as strong as normal - lack of light probably. Saturday, July 14 View Page Suprised to find a Water Melon has set in my tunnel as I had not seen the female flower. All plants look healthy but temps day and night are too cold for them. Keeping the area shut up as far as possible. Saturday, July 14 View Page The early Potato plants have grown weak after a promising start, I think each plant is down to a single tuber and they may be around 150mm(6")long at present. See how strong the foliage is on the mini tuber plants in the next entry. Saturday, July 14 View Page Potato foliage of the late mini tuber plants is very strong, however little at the bottom so far. I can find one small tuber on all but one plant, but they will not have time to grow for the early giants show. We will see what they produce later in the season if I can keep them free of blight, Have sprayed them twice with a fungicide. Monday, July 16 View Page It is the time of year for visits to other gardens, We hosted the NVS West Yorkshire D.A. in the morning and then joined the group to visit a good soft/top fruit grower. These are Red Currants looking good enough to eat, but wanted for a major show this week. Last week we were on a coach trip up to the Northeast visiting 3 veg. growers - everyone complaining about the weather. Tuesday, July 17 View Page Swede problems, just when I though they were growing large for the time of year. Started with fine cracking around the shoulder, tried to save, finished up having to chop in half to remove from my raised bed. Two others may be going the same way. Tuesday, July 17 View Page At least my seeding Leeks are ok. Of the four heads in the picture one has not yet opened from its seed caseing, two have and show grass and seed head growth, right hand one has been cut back removing all seed heads which are not wanted. Perhaps early doing this but need all the plants vigour to go into the new grass (young leeks for next season) Thursday, July 19 View Page Removed the three Cabbage which had run to seed, prepared the ground and planted two varieties of autumn Cauliflower. (thanks for the plants David) Rained all day so no need to water them in,lol. Thursday, July 26 View Page Pumpkin - or a field pumpkin to be exact. Managed to set one which is growing well now the weather has improved. Five weeks today to the Giant veg. show, so I have taken photo's (which follow) of my proposed entries as they are now. Thursday, July 26 View Page Marrow - View of my best front garden plant, it has two set about 250mm(10")long. Not started watering yet after all the rain they have received. Thursday, July 26 View Page Cabbage - One of the two remaining plants, very strong but not yet hearting up. Again not watered but may start as a dry period forcast for us. Thursday, July 26 View Page Leek - These are the best chance for me at present, pleased with them. Need to keep them free of pests/cool/watered and then hope the steady growth continues. Thursday, July 26 View Page Carrot and Parsnip - These are outside in my Enviromesh tunnel, clean and healthy but pale foliage - may be the excessive rain/lack of light, will start to feed with high potash. Thursday, July 26 View Page Swede - will be a struggle to keep the remaining two sound until the show. Always have problems but this year worse. more leaves are being lost and foliage looks poor. Thursday, July 26 View Page Melon - Plants healthy, but limp this week in the full hot sun, however recover later. The problem is no female flowers to set - similar to last year, weather related,too dark and cold. Cannot see me showing any great size. Thursday, July 26 View Page Beetroot - The two growing in the greenhouse have suffered from mildew, cut of most affected leaves as no effective spray. Ok. but down on size. Thursday, July 26 View Page Radish - Another disaster area, either run to seed or rotted in the soil. Two left, hope they keep growing as this is normally a strong class for me. Thursday, July 26 View Page Watermelon - Strong healthy plants in my front tunnel, however no female flowers. Have one set early on which is growing slowly - it is in the photo but you need a magnifying glass to find it. Thursday, July 26 View Page Onion - Another strong class for me and so far so good, these are growing in bottomless tubs in my second small tunnel, this weeks hot weather may check them although I have provided shading. Thursday, July 26 View Page Tomato - Plants have grown well considering the poor weather, third truss set and thinned out. No megablooms so far but look like having a reasonable entry. May find these are two early but others following on. Thursday, July 26 View Page Potato - After last years world record this year is likely to be a struggle. Foliage is going on the early ones and the mini tuber plants, although very strong have not yet had time to grow any sizeable tuber. Sprayed today against blight athough the available sprays are very in effective. Thursday, July 26 View Page Longest Beetroot/Carrot/Parsnip - Growing together in their special structure, foliage weak, but normally is so no concern. Removing them from their tubes is the difficult part. Thursday, July 26 View Page Longest Cucumber - Have two decent plants in my top greenhouse with cuc's set. Not sure yet if they will be long or heavy or both. As long as they keep growing like they have, I do not mind. Thursday, July 26 View Page longest Bean - Another strong class for me and after a slow start the first sowing plants have recovered well. Flower trusses are now setting and hope to have a decent entry. Will support the best beans once finally thinned out. Thursday, July 26 View Page Not for the giants but my late onion sowing is producing decent small exhibition bulbs. Have lifted one to dress for this weekends show(first of the season) My main aim is to win the long Leek class. Sunday, July 29 View Page My first show and the long Leeks have proved to be winners, a good start. If this early show is anything to go by then apart from leeks the benches will be half empty. Three more weeks until the next one so time for things to change. Wednesday, August 1 View Page Onion one month on has grown slowly(don't they always lol) now 6900mm(27.2")circ. x 5600mm(22")high with 23 greenish leaves. will be lucky to make 28" circ. this month before having to be lifted. On a more happy note they are all healthy with fresher tops than normal. Wednesday, August 1 View Page Beetroot lifted as it had run to seed, been expecting this with the poor weather. Others appear ok. at present but not very large yet. Saturday, August 11 View Page The shredded giant leek has collapsed with soft rot, so now removed. It did have a hole in the root plate as predicted by the NPLS visiters. The spidermite damage shows up white under the leaves. Monday, August 13 View Page Marrow problems - several now lost to splits or in this case hole around the stalk. Weather has been better this month so hopefull of a reasonable entry for the first show. Monday, August 13 View Page Tomato's have not set properly but if they keep growing and do not ripen before the first show they should be ok. Best one is almost 17" circ. and will make a few more inches. No megablooms to follow. Monday, August 13 View Page Long Beans have grown quickly, now have several nearing 30" long and look as though they have more growing in them. Watering and feeding most evenings with low nit. fert. Best ones have been supported. Monday, August 13 View Page Cantoloupe Melons have finally set a fruit, largest only 1.5" long so hardly likely to be winners at the show in 2weeks time. Had given up on the plants, stopped watering/side shooting etc. perhaps this is the way to treat them? Monday, August 13 View Page Swede lost, always your best one, lol. No great weight but 42"circ. I find these difficult to grow large and keep sound, though the answer was to raise the Boron level in the free draining soil slightly but it has not worked. Perhaps its a bad season for them as I am aware of two other growers with the same problem. Tuesday, August 21 View Page Heavy Onion shows are starting so cleaned around most of the plants removing dead/soft skins. Broke a few roots in the process, thought I had planted them on the surface but seem to have settled down 35mm(1.5") into the compost. This will allow for some drying out before lifting. Saturday, August 25 View Page Found one of my giant Carrots collapsed, little wonder, completly rotten underneath. Suspect it was too wet in the outside compost bed. Will not water any of the others lol. Saturday, August 25 View Page Onion heads are showing seed now, however as you can see from the photo only perhaps 70% have been pollinated. Looks like good seed from giant onions will be in short supply this year. I blame the lack of sun/wet conditions this year - very few bees. Saturday, August 25 View Page Giant Leek (yorkshire giant) has grown a good head of 'grass' after I shaved of the seed flowers earlier. This plant is outside and I may have to protect from the rain in a few weeks until ready to take at the end of Oct. Sunday, August 26 View Page Watermelon has grown really well in the last month, looks like being a PB when weighed in at next weeks show. Now that the foliage is giving up suprised how many others have set recently. The first one has not made the length needed to be really heavy - perhaps too cold when setting. Monday, August 27 View Page Leek for the heaviest class at this weeks show. Still happy with the growth, think the cool summer has suited them. May have a PB but have 7.4kg to beat. Monday, September 3 View Page Onion almost at the end of its growing time, may lift it for this weekends show. Measures 705mm(27.7")circ. x 598mm(23.5")high with 22 greenish leaves. Did not make 28"circ. as I hoped but has grow taller during Aug. Monday, September 3 View Page National Gardening Show last weekend, won 5 firsts (down on last year)one of which was for the longest Parsnip, 5.607m. Started my claim with GWR's for this new world record. Not easy to photo - but the two judges are at the far end having measured it. Monday, September 3 View Page Over the weekend we visited Stonehenge with our growing and showing friends Joe & Carmel. This is a World Heritage site which dates from 3000years to 1600BC. On the sat. morning it appeared that half the worlds tourists where also there, but managed to avoid photographing them. Monday, September 3 View Page Also managed to visit Salisbury Cathedral, which houses a copy of the Magna Carta. We have been coming south to the Giant veg show for 15years but still manage to find a different area for a days visit. My Leek weighed 7.6kg so a PB, however it only came second to 8.0kg. Monday, September 10 View Page Another busy show weekend, Won the heaviest Onion (as grown) at Blyth with 17lb. 8oz, The following day won the heaviest trimmed Onion at Maryport with 17lb. 2oz. Almost 500mile round trip but worth it. Thursday, September 20 View Page Sucessful at the Harrogate heavy onion show, New World Record 8.195kg (18lb 1oz) Weighed around 19.3lb with top and roots on when first lifted. Really sound bulb, very pleased with it after a poor growing season generally. Friday, September 21 View Page Also at Harrogate show I won the class for three long leeks, taken me many years to do this, think the late season helped. The same weekend we travelled north to the National Pot Leek Soc. show, All four classes were won by Peter Holden - some achievement. Monday, October 1 View Page Back from The Malvern Autumn show with my 39.8kg (87.6lb) Field Pumpkin, no prize but a good colour, lol. Pumpkin class was won by David Thomas with a 600+lb beauty. Sunday, October 14 View Page Last giant veg. show for me at East of England. Strong competition from many of the top growers for such a late show. Managed to win the heaviest Carrot class, not a lot to look at but weighed 4.269kg(9.4lbs) Variety is Sweet Candle which is better known for winning the exhibition short carrot classes (its the way you grow them) Thursday, October 25 View Page A well needed holiday in Malta, catching up on the sun and some warm dry weather. This is the church at Mosta which has the third largest dome in Europe. It was penetrated by a bomb in the 2nd world war while a service was in progress but by a miracle failed to explode. Friday, October 26 View Page While on holiday I did a trial germination test of 10 onion seeds from four different heads - 100% in 3 trays, 90% in other, very happy with this. Do not plan to sow for real until later in Nov. Wednesday, October 31 View Page Cut open my 50.6kg(111.32lb) Marrow, only a few seeds at the flower end but at least they look good. several internal cracks very close to the surface but it has remained sound. Wednesday, October 31 View Page End of Oct. and still picking Apples, these are a late eater (do not know their name) which hang on even through autumn gales. Many parts of the country have had a poor apple crop but we have been fortunate. Wednesday, October 31 View Page Very strong Pendal long leek head, I have taken the grass off today, soaked in a fungicide and now set to root inside a heated propagator. Successful show year with this strain of leek so hope to compete again next year if I can grow them on as well. Sunday, November 4 View Page The method I use to germinate large seeds such as Marrows, is to place them on damp tissue inside a sealable tub, cover with more tissue and place on the shelf above our hot water cylinder. Tried these on Nov.1st - 5 out of 6 good germination Nov.4th. Wednesday, November 14 View Page Speakers at last weekends 'Vegetable Masterclass' organised by Medwyn's of Anglesey. Three days talking gardening after the shows - almost a holiday lol. Tuesday, November 20 View Page The two varieties of Leeks (Yorkshire giant and Pendal) are growing away now under a bank of T5 lights, which are on 8.5hrs during the day. Trying to keep the temp.in my greenhouse cabinet around 10c (50f). Tuesday, November 20 View Page Giant onions were sown on the 5th Nov. and have just pricked them out into their first small pots. Seed from four different heads, so will eventually select the strongest. Under 24hr light in the growroom. This is perhaps the easiest time for me in their 11month growing season. Friday, November 23 View Page Severe gale overnight has split our Pondorosa Pine tree in half, fortunatly it has fallen away from the garden. You do not realise have big they are until they are laying in the way and need logging. Not certain if the remaining half will survive. Thursday, December 20 View Page More heavy rain, this must be our wetest year on record in the village. Footbridge was raised several years ago so that it did not obstruct the rivers flow - clearly not enough as the house behind still floods. Our garden is under water, I have Cauliflowers and Brussels trying to grow in cold waterlogged soil. Monday, December 24 View Page Onions being moved from their 24hr light chamber after 6wks, into the greenhouse cabinet, where they will receive 10hrs supplementary lighting during the day. Best potted on into 6.5ltr. using M2/JI2 compost, supports fitted. Merry Christmas to all giant veg. growers. Thank you EGVGA for my winnings and Trophies.