Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 116 Entries. Wednesday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year to all fellow growers. Onions now moved out of 24hr and in the greenhouse receiving 10hrs supplementary lighting. This is the best plant at present with 7th true leaf, however not to happy with some of them which seem pale.   Wednesday, January 1 View Page Leek line up is Cumbria, Yorkshire Giant, Pendal. All have grow well during Dec. which has been mild and sunny for the time of year. Yorkshire Giant plants are now beginning to show their vigour, I like to see the centre flag (leaf) twisting.   Thursday, January 2 View Page Cauliflower plants in the little tunnel have grown steadily during Dec. making a large structure to hopefully support a giant flower curd in May. While it remains mild, no need to try and keep severe frost free.   Monday, January 13 View Page Giant Beetroot seedlings. I seeded down two plants in my greenhouse last year, some dropped onto the ground and has germinated during our mild Dec. Have potted a few up today and will try to keep them frost free - far to early but we will see when they run to seed? Clearly the seed is viable.   Saturday, January 25 View Page Large Onions are filling their 225mm deep pots and will soon want planting out into final beds. I am currently setting up the heating/lighting in my enclosed tunnel ready to receive them. Weather has been mild so far but colder conditions forecast. Now have rainfall figures for 2013 - average 668mm.   Saturday, February 1 View Page Heavy Onions have been planted out into both my small heated tunnels while the weather is fairly mild. This is the largest in my main tunnel 110mm high x 125mm circ. 10leaves. Will have to wait a week or so for them to straighten up before I can fit main supports.   Saturday, February 1 View Page Heavy Onion in second tunnel, these are smaller plants but will try to give them the same heating/lighting/Co2 as the larger ones receive. Cover all overnight with fleece keeping the heat up and electric bills down hopefully, has to be removed in the morning so now tied to this routine.   Saturday, February 1 View Page Leeks growing slowly in the greenhouse under supplementary lighting. Pot Leek-Cumbria 9flags, Yorkshire Giant 7flags, Long-Pendal 6flags with 200mm high pipes to start drawing them for length.   Tuesday, February 11 View Page Mild winter so far but exceptionally wet, Snowdrops are out early for our area but the garden is so wet that even a light rain shower results in standing water. However the south of the UK has severe flooding after the wettest winter period for 200years.   Monday, February 17 View Page First Cabbage sowing of variety 'Ramco' not the largest but it did well for me last year, even though three of the first four planted out went to seed. Started a little later this time.   Sunday, February 23 View Page Moved my exhibition Onions out of 24hr area into my greenhouse cabinet, this currently has 10.5hrs supplementary lighting. Trying to support them upright from now on otherwise the bulbs will grow misshapen.   Sunday, February 23 View Page Heavy Carrots, Swede and Parsnips have germinated well, now growing in the greenhouse alongside exh. onions. Started Carrots a little later this year, hoping not to give them a check by planting out to early.   Wednesday, February 26 View Page Started to refill my leek raised beds using ex. Onion compost which has been weathered outside. A dry week and strong winds has made the soil workable. We have not had a air frost this month - that must be a record for this area in Feb.   Saturday, March 1 View Page Onion plants have enjoyed the good light during Feb. This is still the largest 150mm high x 220mm circ. 14 leaves. Larger than last year at this time so lets hope it does not turn out to be a double.   Saturday, March 1 View Page Second tunnel plants are smaller but look healthy and are growing well. 125mm high x 200mm circ. All are now supported by two hoops, but need constant attention to keep the leaves supported.   Saturday, March 1 View Page Giant Cauliflower plants have also liked the mild weather and sunshine, these are in my small tunnel and were watered and fed yesterday with calcium nitrate, aiming to create a strong frame before they heart up perhaps in late April.   Wednesday, March 5 View Page Cumbria, Yorkshire giant and Pendal Leeks, all growing steadily in the greenhouse. Pendal making the most roots and now need potting on into 225mm. You can see the virus in the Cumbria, but plants still seem to be growing.   Wednesday, March 5 View Page Made a giant Beetroot sowing, these are home saved seeds from my two largest grown in 2012, expect more seedlings to germinate in the next few days, however I do not need many plants.   Wednesday, March 5 View Page Young Swede seedlings now established after being pricked out. I have far to many but will be able to give some away.   Wednesday, March 12 View Page I may not have the largest vegetables this year but I will have the smartest drive.   Wednesday, March 12 View Page Amazing what a chain saw can do in 60mins (if the operator knows what he is doing) this will let more light into the garden and prevent any gale damage to the house. Only planted these Leylandii conifers 30 years ago, never expected I would have to pay for removal. Tallest was 20meters high.   Sunday, March 16 View Page Broad Beans planted out today, after being raised in the greenhouse over the last two months. Think the weather is ok now for them to grow away without a check.   Sunday, March 16 View Page Early Giant Beetroot growing fast (likely to be to early) have made a late sowing to hopefully have some to show late Sept.   Tuesday, April 1 View Page Largest Onion still growing steadily, 230mm high x 335mm circ. 17 green leaves. Need to renew the Thrip predators next week, plants are clean at the moment.   Tuesday, April 1 View Page Cumbria, Yorkshire Giant and Pendal leeks. They have made good growth in the last few weeks and I will soon be thinking of planting out into my cold frames. Have to consider that we still have time for a cold spell.   Tuesday, April 1 View Page First two Giant Parsnips planted into my cold high tunnel. Soil temp. in the raised bed was 12c and weather is mild at present.   Thursday, April 3 View Page Started planting out my Exhibition Onions into the large cold greenhouse, weather foggy /grey/mild but overnight temps are similar so ideal conditions for early April. The plant roots in their 225mm pots had only just filled the compost but able to move without breaking up the root ball. They can now grow on in their final 35 litre pots.   Monday, April 7 View Page Longest Parsnip record certificate finally received from GWR's.   Monday, April 7 View Page Planted two of my very early self sown Beetroot into raised bed in the high tunnel. Never been this far on in the season and certain they will run to seed early - however worth a try.   Thursday, April 10 View Page Planted out first 15 Long Leeks into my raised trench, soil temp. after being covered with black plastic was 14c and the 225mm pots were full of roots. Just hope the weather stays mild as last year I think the plants had a check later in the month.   Tuesday, April 15 View Page Cumbrian Pot and Pendal Intermediate Leeks planted out in my frame, unfortunately we are now having frosts at night so having to cover over early evening.   Tuesday, April 15 View Page Found a strong Ants nest around one of my better Onions, cannot believe how quickly they have developed under the black/white polythene cover, hopefully this ant powder will sort it, however must be a slight check to the plant.   Tuesday, April 15 View Page Prepared the Cabbage bed and erected large cloches over to warm up the soil. After a very mild winter we are now having frosts with a cold east wind, just when I want to be planting out. Lol.   Sunday, April 20 View Page Planted out the first giant Cabbage into my netted tunnel, with cloche protection for a while. Soil temperature was 12c.   Sunday, April 20 View Page Main heavy Carrot planted today as weather forecast is for milder nights. Will use cloche protection until I can recover this net tunnel.   Sunday, April 20 View Page Yorkshire Giant Leeks also planted out into top frame raised bed, still have 5 more to plant in small tunnel when clear of Cauliflowers.   Monday, April 21 View Page Giant Cauliflower plants have matured quickly and the weighin was arranged for today in accordance with Guinness World Record requirements. Pleased to report that the existing record was beaten with the largest which weighed 27.485kg (60.54lb) I now have to submit full details to GWR's to claim this, acceptance can take many months.   Thursday, May 1 View Page This Onion may not be the largest at 250mm high x 398mm circ. but it has 21 green leaves, hope this means that it will increase later bulbing.   Thursday, May 1 View Page In my 2nd. tunnel I now have this plant which appears far more vigorous in its leaves and is increasing in size quicker. 275mm high x 447mm circ. 20 green leaves. I hope it continues.   Friday, May 2 View Page Apple trees are full of blossom, this is 'Golden Delicious' variety, only problem is a hard frost is forecast for tonight. I have just spent 1.5hrs covering down all my planted out vegetables, all good fun, lol.   Sunday, May 4 View Page Winters Brussel Sprouts have produced a brilliant display of flowers, will soon have to remove to make space for Marrows. The recent frost was -3c and has browned the Apple blossom so this years crop may be reduced.   Thursday, May 8 View Page Planted out my first sowing Long Cucumbers today in a different greenhouse and containers this year. I used to be able to grow a decent plant but not in recent years - until now lol.   Thursday, May 8 View Page Two Water Melon planted into my front tunnel, proposing to only grow melons in this tunnel so that I can hopefully give the plants the humidity/heat they require.   Thursday, May 15 View Page weather has changed to clear sunny skies and warmer air, had to fix shade netting over my Onion tunnel today as temp. inside 30c. Will be a full time job for the summer raising and lowering it - all to grow a larger bulb,lol   Thursday, May 15 View Page Giant Swede only small yet but has split drastically, even though have been keeping evenly watered. Not hopefull that it will stay sound and most have similar problems.   Saturday, May 24 View Page Started planting out giant Tomatoes in my old greenhouse, they have flopped over with the recent heat so I am planting them deep burying the horizontal stem also. This should increase the root area eventually. First flower truss has been removed.   Sunday, June 1 View Page The featured Onion in my 2nd tunnel continues to look vigorous, leaves flopped somewhat last month but still strong. 380mm high x 560mm circ. Not so happy with plants in the other tunnel even though two are larger, they are in new compost and beginning to think this is the problem, however all still there so we will see how they grow in June.   Sunday, June 1 View Page 'Ramco' Cabbage have liked the last 10days of cool/grey/wet weather, beginning to heart up. If the summer is not too hot and dry they should be ready for the early giant veg. shows. Last year most went to seed, however this has been a been a warmer spring.   Sunday, June 1 View Page Giant Parsnips and Carrots outside in my netted tunnel have grow with all the recent rain and looking a lot stronger.   Sunday, June 1 View Page 'Naruto' summer Cauliflower outside in my front garden netted tunnel, may come early for the main shows depends on the season. I have six plants just to try and see what weight I can achieve with a summer variety.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page Last Marrow planted, no danger of frosts now. Set them direct from their germination small pots, not root bound and no disturbance so should grow away without a check.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page Only managed to germinate one Squash plant from various seed swaps and the EGVGA seed packages, however this one seems vigorous so will give it the best conditions outside that I can. Like the Marrows it is straight out from its first pot.   Thursday, June 12 View Page First Onion seed heads have opened, bee's have found them so pollination should be good in present fine sunny weather. Not many of the largest onions survived to produce seed heads, but the ones that did are very strong after feeding when daily watering.   Thursday, June 12 View Page Giant Cucumber plants are growing away with the sunnier weather, having to tie them up to support canes most days. Planted in large shallow square pots filled with JI3 to try and keep them healthy.   Friday, June 13 View Page Problems with my Swede's, mildew on two which I have sprayed twice to try and control and now this one's leaves are perforated with small holes - found tiny caterpillars under leaves, picked of all I could see.   Friday, June 13 View Page Featured Onion has been growing at almost 60degrees backwards, trying to straighten it up with care as too much movement may snap roots and slow down growth.   Sunday, June 15 View Page Water Melons are not growing well, have just lost my 2 earliest plants and these later plantings do not look strong. Trying to keep the tunnel warm and humid, perhaps the soil/compost is not right. Watering seems to be the key.   Wednesday, June 18 View Page Found the start of 'early' potato blight on almost all of my plants, this has come even before I started my preventative spraying prog. Cut off worst leaves, destroyed and sprayed with a fungicide. Lets hope it checks further spread.   Friday, June 20 View Page Cumbria Leek pulled out, fusarium problem on the root plate. Looks like I have bought this in, not had fusarium for years. Another plant is weak and may have same disease which means I am down to three.   Friday, June 20 View Page Another swede problem, green centre completely turned to mush, do not know why as plant is under a roof and has been kept dry. Adjioning plant looks fine (at present,lol)   Saturday, June 28 View Page Watermelon set, does not look too promising but if the plant stays healthy I will at least have a show entry. Weather not ideal for them now, grey and cold, holding back on the watering.   Saturday, June 28 View Page Giant Cucumbers starting to bear female flowers, this plant has two together and I will reduce to one in a few days. At present the plants are very healthy, however two near the door have an aphid attack so will have to spray.   Monday, June 30 View Page Squash plant (I will be happier when I see a green female) has grown slowly during the recent cool/grey weather but still looks strong, head is almost safely down with a little help from the canes.   Monday, June 30 View Page Field Pumpkins have also suffered with the cool nights but we should soon have night temp's in double figures. Down to 6 & 7C some nights last week in this part of the garden.   Monday, June 30 View Page Marrows stand cooler weather better, all are now starting to run and I am covering the main stem as required. Most will be trained as a cordon with only two side vines. It has been dry recently apart from a light rain on Friday, seemed to have missed all the heavy showers which were around.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page Large Onion has grown taller during the month but bulbing has been slow, 483mm high x 618mm circ. 18 leaves, even smaller than last years at this time and that was a poor season. On a more positive note all the plants are healthy and still have time to grow given the right weather.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page Pendal Leeks which I am growing as intermediates are good, 270mm circ. x approx. 200mm high to button, however it looks as if I will have difficulty keeping the height below 300mm ( the limit for this class ) Perhaps they will make a heavy Leek instead.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page Naruto Cauliflower has grown well during June, watered twice during dry spells but no feeding yet. Seems to be almost hearting up now so unlikely to be very heavy.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page Heavy Carrot tops are very lush in these two clear plastic barrels, not able to see what is growing below at present but pleased with the healthy leaves. They are growing inside my fine netted tunnel. Will have to water these if the present dry weather continues.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page Heavy Ramco Cabbage also in the same tunnel, none have gone to seed this year and the early sowing have all hearted up. A long time until the shows, hope they do not burst lol.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page Potato tubers have started to swell, further small ones removed and one keeper which is at soil level covered with compost. Will need to keep this moist and topped up as the potato grows. Still having to remove to odd blighted leaf but generally they are growing away from this early attack.   Monday, July 7 View Page This is the time of year for garden visits, we all like to check up on the competition and exchange growing methods. We have visited over ten so far this summer and our own garden now has one or two visitors a week. Always enjoyable to talk over the problems with other gardeners.   Monday, July 14 View Page Early Marrows now have one set, approx.200mm long now. other plants are in flower or with later sets. Need a marrow for my first show early in Aug. so not a lot of time to grow (4wks) Hot sunshine by day but cool nights again.   Monday, July 14 View Page Exhibition Onions beginning to finish, stripped them all down to a sound skin attached to a green leaf and letting them grow on for another few days. I stopped watering at the same time and draped fleece along the sunny side to try and prevent sun scorch.   Monday, July 21 View Page First female on my Squash plant (yes it looks like a Squash, pale green) pollinated with the only one male flower available late in the afternoon, hope it sets ok.   Monday, July 21 View Page Lifted all my exhibition Onions after removing their tops. cut off roots,gave them a final clean down and careful wash. Placed them in a airy shed to dry off and will powder them today. Only three weeks until my first show for these.   Saturday, July 26 View Page Marrows may have come to soon, this splitting is likely to be due to poor pollination. We are also in the middle of a dry heat wave with 30c + temp's in the garden today.   Friday, August 1 View Page Large Onion has hardly grown during July, now 508mm high x 630mm circ. 12 green leaves. The last half of the month has been really hot and dry, plants are finishing. I have a few larger ones but they are disappointing.   Friday, August 1 View Page Green Squash has grow well during the hot weather, almost perfect round shape so far. Two others are now set on the plant so may remove one when I am sure which is the stronger.   Friday, August 1 View Page Intermediate 'Pendal' Leeks have loose collars now as some older flags were decaying or splitting behind button. Still a problem to keep them within the height limit, however all are clean and healthy.   Friday, August 1 View Page Heavy Leeks 'Yorkshire Giant' have been heavily shaded during the hot sunny July, this may have showed growth but all are clean and healthy. Spare Cantaloupe Melon plant in this tunnel is the healthiest I have and now has a fruit set, perhaps I have been going wrong growing them in full sun trained up wires?   Friday, August 1 View Page Cauliflower Guinness World Record certificate received, so it was all worth the effort and waiting.   Friday, August 1 View Page My attempt with summer Cauliflowers has come to nothing. Weather has been to hot and dry resulting in them coming ready before any large structure/leaf count was achieved.   Friday, August 1 View Page Heavy Cabbage have stood the weather well, the early sowing in the foreground has been covered with fleece during the hottest times but the later ones behind were not, it maybe that these will last until the Sept. shows.   Friday, August 1 View Page Heavy Carrots in this netted tunnel with the Cabbage have grown even more top during July. There is only one plant per barrel, lets hope the root matches the giant top (not always the case.)   Friday, August 15 View Page 'Vale' Show in South Wales is a new venue for giant veg. Early in the season but still well supported. This is the display put on by the organisers, very good, all from one garden.   Friday, August 15 View Page Pleased with my giant Carrot entry, hopefully the others still in the garden will put on more weight for the Sept. shows. One leg of the carrot root was broken of during the show, but we have to live with these mishaps.   Friday, August 15 View Page Having lost two giant Swede recently I lifted my best one for this show, just over 24kg so a reasonable entry and clear winner. I am unlikely to win another Swede class this year so have to enjoy this success.   Monday, August 18 View Page Squash is growing really well, must be liked the hot weather outside (cooler now) if I am measuring correctly it is 93"circ. 63"end to end, 68"side to side, not sure what weight this gives me but must be 3-400lb.   Monday, August 18 View Page Not such a happy story with the Marrows, found this smooth skinned one has a small split in the centre, so that's the end of that. Lost 5 or 6 early set ones.   Monday, August 18 View Page This Marrow has come stripped with a rougher skin, so far it is sound. Funny how they can come different from their parent, must be the open pollination. Lets hope this proves to be less susceptible to spits.   Monday, August 18 View Page Giant Potato foliage has finished, the early blight attack must have ruined the chance of a really heavy tuber. The ones I can see near the surface are covered with damp peat and I have laid polythene over the top to retain some moisture. have eased off on the watering.   Monday, August 18 View Page Now have 4 intermediate Pendal Leeks left after showing one last week. Very clean and healthy but splitting in and may be going too long, have to be under 300mm to the button to show as intermediates   Friday, August 29 View Page This megabloom tomato fruit has wrapped itself around the main stalk so unable to remove without damaging both. It must have taken all the strength of the plant as it is very weak.   Friday, August 29 View Page Trying a few late Runner Bean plants in my high tunnel, growing really well during this cold spell but warmer sunny weather forecast for next week, so will have to see what happens. Spidermite can still be a problem on them.   Monday, September 1 View Page Featured Onion has hardly grown though August, top has almost gone over, 635mm circ. x 500mm high. Will not be winning any heavy classes with this (and it looked so promising early summer)   Monday, September 1 View Page Fortunately I have two or three larger ones now to show but even these have almost finished. I have been blaming to hot weather through late June/July/early August but it appears that several Onion growers are reporting their best season for some time.   Monday, September 1 View Page My Early 'Ramco' Cabbage are still sound and expect to be able to show one in 10days time at Harrogate. All the weight is in the heart which measures 450mm dia.   Monday, September 1 View Page Giant Beetroot growing stronger now, they seem to need a long season without running to seed to achieve a reasonable weight.   Monday, September 1 View Page Parsnip and Carrot tops are the strongest I can remember, still healthy and disease free, lets hope they are as good below soil level. Will need to lift one of each for the Harrogate show.   Monday, September 1 View Page Heavy Leeks have grown in their shaded tunnel and appear to have liked the recent cool, grey August weather. Perhaps not yet as large as last year but happy with them.   Monday, September 1 View Page After the loss of so many large Marrows I am pleased to have one which appears to be sound. Covering this over during cool nights and shading from the midday sun. Hope it benefits from all my efforts.   Monday, September 8 View Page Lifted this Onion for Maryport show this weekend, it was 715mm circ. and high shouldered, weighed in at just under 6.8kg and was heavy enough to win. Strong competition from several good bulbs. Later this week is the main heavy onion show at Harrogate so hope I can find a heavier one.   Monday, September 15 View Page Harrogate Autumn show, you win some and you lose some. Lost my heavy Onion record to a 18lb 11.5oz bulb grown by Tony Glover, gained a new world record for the heaviest Carrot at 9.1kg(20lbs)   Sunday, September 21 View Page Another weekend, another show, this time it is the National Pot Leek championships in the North East. 23rd out of perhaps 50 members, good for me lol. 7th with the long Leeks. It looked as if there was a new world record set at the show for the heaviest Leek, around 21.5lbs.   Thursday, September 25 View Page Squash has grow really well, too large for me to show but pleased that it has stayed sound and is certainly a PB. Measures 260inches est. weight 392lbs. Have a smaller one on a side vine to take to the giant veg. show.   Monday, September 29 View Page Giant veg. show at Malvern has attracted a record number of entries including this winning Pumpkin grown by David Thomas, weighed 1004lbs, Heaviest we have seen at this venue.   Monday, October 13 View Page Last Giant veg. show at East of England, and Kevin Fortey's winning Marrow 72kg. best we have seen this year. I came second with 54.5kg so also my largest shown this season. Seems they have stayed sound with the cooler end of year weather.   Saturday, November 1 View Page Yorkshire Giant pot leeks were started a week ago and today I have potted up the rooted grass into modules. They should soon establish in my heated propagator. Very warm weather for this time of year but not complaining.   Tuesday, November 11 View Page End of the season but this is the largest Tomato I have grown all year, 1.8kg. There has been plenty around this size but no giant ones to win the shows. Recent hard frost so all plants now removed.   Tuesday, November 11 View Page Attended Medwyn's Vegetable Masterclass weekend again, these are the speakers who passed on their growing methods to everyone, very enjoyable.   Saturday, November 22 View Page My heated cabinet is filling up with young Leek plants, now have Yorkshire Giants, Cumbria X, Pendal, and a new long one called Llanberis. Cannot grow on all these so will have to select the best at each potting.   Saturday, November 22 View Page Giant Onions started, seed from two different heads, both have germinated well so will have to see if any difference as they grow on. Under 24hour lighting.   Monday, December 1 View Page Onion seedlings under 24hr lights, best now have first true leaf as high as seed head. They dry out quickly in the heat and need watering daily.   Monday, December 1 View Page Giant, Pot, and long Leeks making steady progress under daytime supplementary lighting, very little natural light at present.   Thursday, December 25 View Page Merry Christmas everyone. Onions are under 24hr T5 lights until year end, appear behind last year but did sow later, so hopefully they will catch up.