Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 93 Entries. Thursday, January 1 View Page Happy new year everyone, managed to keep my Squash sound in the garden until now, -5C frosts and snow will bring the end.   Friday, January 2 View Page Onions underway now in the greenhouse with 10hr supplementary lighting, just starting to move on into 175mm standard pots, 6 leaves on best.   Friday, January 2 View Page Leek line up this year has more varieties than ever (I am supposed to be trying to cut down lol) Pot leeks - Cumbria, Cumbria Cross, own Yorkshire Giant, Long Leeks - Llanberis, Pendal, own late Pendal.   Monday, January 26 View Page My Leek growing cabinet is full, when I pot on again it will be only the best. Time to look after the strong ones and throw out the others.   Sunday, February 1 View Page Leeks are growing under the lights and most have been potted on. Left to right - DM Pendal, Llanberis, Yorkshire Giant, Own late Pendal, Cumbrian X, Cumbrian. Growing area full but hard frosts overnight so will have to stay in my heated cabinet.   Sunday, February 1 View Page First 6 Onions have been planted in my greenhouse growing area, 9 leaves. A week or so later this year but feel they can catch up.   Sunday, February 15 View Page First heavy Parsnip seeds are through, growing in two part pipes in with my Onions at present. Will not be able to plant in the ground until April at the earliest. Plan to make another sowing.   Wednesday, February 25 View Page Heavy Carrot seeds have germinated in their starter pipes, these are standing in the onion area so will receive 10.5 hrs. supplementary lighting. Pleased to say days are lengthening and sunshine stronger now.   Wednesday, February 25 View Page First mild dry day so visited Hodsock Priory to view their snowdrops. These locally famous winter gardens are at their best now with many different flowering shrubs and small trees.   Sunday, March 1 View Page One off the best Onions in my tunnel, 90mm high x 130mm circ. 12 green leaves, several weeks behind last year. Not sure why? - Feb. has not been so sunny and I did have a later start.   Sunday, March 1 View Page Leeks are growing well with the exception of some Llanberris, left to right - Yorkshire giant, Llanberris, Pendal, later Pendal, front - Cumbria Cross, Cumbria. Half of the Llanberris plants have been discarded as little vigour and would never make a worthwhile leek.   Sunday, March 22 View Page Giant Carrots growing slowly in the warm Onion tunnel, two settings but this may be beneficial if I am delayed planting out into their final cold outside beds.   Sunday, March 22 View Page Changed an Onion plant which seems behind, however once removed could not find any fault with the roots. Hope my replacement does better.   Monday, March 23 View Page Finished replacing my 24feet long x 16ft. wide tunnel, the 30year old one collapsed during the winter snows. Hopefully this one has enough ventilation with large doors both ends. Planning to grow some Tomato, Pot Leeks, Swede, and beetroot.   Saturday, March 28 View Page Found a double Onion in my best plants, they show with two new leaves coming from the centre instead of one out the middle. It will only grow more leaves so removed it and replaced with my largest exhibition Onion plant. It will never catch up but and least the growing station will not be wasted.   Saturday, March 28 View Page Planted my other exhibition Onion plants into a cold greenhouse set in large pots inside a larger barrel, hoping this will keep the pot cooler in the summer. Milder week forecast but have laid soil warming cables between the barrels just to raise the temp. slightly overnight when they are all covered with fleece.   Wednesday, April 1 View Page Still not happy with the rate of Onion growth,153mm high x 216mm circ. with 16 green leaves. They are all healthy and appear fine but way behind last year. Perhaps not supporting the leaves upright is having an effect on the height.   Wednesday, April 1 View Page My Leek line up a month on, all potted on and should stand until I can begin to plant out in their final beds perhaps in 3 weeks.   Thursday, April 9 View Page Potato chits potted up today and stood back in cold greenhouse together with Swede and one Parsnip pipe. 20c in garden midday but frost again tonight. hope to plant my Parsnips and Carrots out next week if compost temp. above 15c a.m. Area is covered with polythene cloche.   Saturday, April 18 View Page First giant Parsnips planted into my netted tunnel, the half barrels are set up on a raised sandy bed and the whole filled with a sandy compost plus fertilisers.   Saturday, April 18 View Page Giant Carrots planted with a similar method, think the plants are larger than last year at this time so lets hope they do not receive a check.   Friday, April 24 View Page Planted my first heavy Potatoes into low raised bed which is enclosed by plastic frames. They had filled the 225mm pots with root but no sign of any tubers, not earthed up, will wait and see how they develop. Still frosts overnight so have laid a soil heating cable around them with thermo. on a low setting.   Wednesday, April 29 View Page Giant Tomatoes started, various Big Zac strains and a new one to me Gigantomo. Some in this propagator and others on heated mat in the greenhouse. Planning to grow around 18.   Friday, May 1 View Page Onion growing steadily, 227mm high x 350mm circ. 19 leaves. April has been very sunny and I may have gained a week but still perhaps 3wks. behind last years best.   Friday, May 1 View Page This onion was planted in my second tunnel a month after my featured bulb and now has a larger circ. 372mm and is far higher 272mm with 21 green leaves. The early planted ones seem to have stood still during Feb.   Saturday, May 9 View Page Exhibition Onions growing really strong (better than my heavyweights for fast growth)all supported now and have most standing vertical. Still covering them with fleece overnight.   Saturday, May 9 View Page Started my heavy Tomatoes late this year, not wanted for show until Sept. (hope I am not to late, everyone else seems way ahead) Fortunate to have a few seeds from several top growers and germination has been reasonable, all I have to do now is grow them big LOL.   Monday, May 11 View Page Found three giant Swede plants which I uncovered a few days ago have been eaten off by pigeons, uncovered these two today but hopefully well protected.   Monday, May 18 View Page Following in his Masters footsteps and planting my giant Tomatoes straight out from their germination pots, soil warm but still cold nights here so have covered over with fleece tonight.   Monday, May 18 View Page Uncovered my heavy Carrots to allow todays rain to reach them, look better for it. Covers replaced tonight as clear and cold, they are effectively growing outside in my netted tunnel.   Monday, June 1 View Page Onion has grown during May but do not think it has the vigour to produce the heaviest, 342mm high x 538 circ. 20 leaves. Weather has been sunny and cool most of the month, ideal really but onion s still behind recent years.   Monday, June 1 View Page Onion in my second tunnel has more vigour but most of it seems to have been used to grow taller, 456mm high x 536mm circ. x 22 leaves, hopefully in June it will start to bulb. as I know they all have a lot to do to catch other growers.   Monday, June 1 View Page Heavy Leek (Yorkshire Giant) which I only planted in my new tunnel as a spare now seems the best, will see how it likes the warm June weather inside.   Monday, June 1 View Page Giant Beetroot looks the best I have had, hope it does not run to seed this month. Keeping well watered and fully ventilated however we are due for a spell of hot weather.   Monday, June 1 View Page Water Melons just planted in my tunnels, these are not grafted plants so may have my usual problem of some giving up on me when carrying fruit.   Monday, June 1 View Page Cantaloupe Melons just being planted in the large greenhouse, it has been to cold before. May not support them so high as Spidermite was a serious problem last year and it seems to be worse against the glass.   Monday, June 1 View Page Heavy Carrot seeding down outside to try and avoid aphid attack (clean now apart from Cuckoo spit - you cannot win)Will not spray now flowers out but have covered plant to keep the heads dry.   Monday, June 1 View Page Pleased with the Cumbria cross pot Leeks, only planted 6 into my tunnel but all look good at present, again the cool sunny May weather has suited them. Using insect predators again this year to control Thrips.   Friday, June 12 View Page Milder night forecast so planted out first long runner beans.   Friday, June 12 View Page Marrows also, none of these plants were root bound so they should establish quickly.   Friday, June 12 View Page Found Spidermite on some Pot Leeks and Onions, came suddenly with the hot sunshine and strong dry East winds. Predators arrived today so will see if they can control the pest.   Saturday, June 27 View Page Giant Onion seed heads have grown extra tall this year, in full flower now and good weather for pollinating bees etc.   Saturday, June 27 View Page Still a major difference in the foliage of the two Parsnip varieties I am growing for the heaviest root.   Saturday, June 27 View Page Swede varieties also reacting differently to the hot sun, do not think the limp one will grow into the heaviest but the root is larger currently.   Wednesday, July 1 View Page Some progress with the featured Onion, 386mm high x 650mm circ. 16leaves, however it has a spidermite infestation which is proving hard to clear.   Wednesday, July 1 View Page Lot2 bulb has gained more height than circ. 505mm high x 612mm circ. 19 leaves. only light spidermite infestation at present, predators are being used but they seem to have limited effect. The current 30+ temp's are not helping.   Monday, July 6 View Page Giant Beetroot has a side shoot running to seed, had to remove three from this plant but so far the others are ok. This one is growing in my front trench so may have been checked by the cold in early June.   Monday, July 6 View Page Cumbria Pot Leeks growing well in my front frame, this is fully open at both ends and seems to be keeping Spidermite away despite the recent 34c weather. The Cumbria cross plants in my tunnel are all badly affected.   Monday, July 6 View Page First Marrows are just starting to run and I am laying the main in a shallow trench and lightly covering it, expect to do the same with some side shoots in a christmas tree shape.   Thursday, July 16 View Page Have set two megablooms on first trusses, not great shapes but will see how they develop. One is far to close to the stem. Will be looking to set the third trusses on the other plants for my Sept. shows.   Thursday, July 16 View Page Been very hot recently, even our new Kitten is 'flaked out' local weather station recorded a new July record high of 34c and it was even higher in the garden. Down to 6c this morning so no good for the giant veg.   Thursday, July 16 View Page Garden visit by a group of top NVS growers from Scotland, also had 20+ local members last evening. July is the month for garden visits before the shows start, I enjoy these.   Thursday, July 16 View Page Started to dress my exhibition Onions in the bed, early but the hot weather has taken the foliage, expect to lift these in a few days.   Thursday, July 16 View Page Parsnips running to seed, also lost two Cucumbers this week, blaming the weather but need to have a different approach next year. Heat/drying winds have brought Spidermite on most Onions and Leeks, damping down several times a day to try and stop it spreading.   Friday, July 24 View Page Heavy Carrots growing well in my netted tunnel despite a very dry summer and the heat of early July. Keeping well watered as we are bound to have heavy rain in the next few weeks and I do not want them to suddenly split, as this can lead to soft rot.   Thursday, July 30 View Page A giant Carrot has run to seed, this was one of the first early sowing in the greenhouse and was started under the spread of the Onion lights but do not think this has caused any problem, more like the wide range of July Temp's.   Saturday, August 1 View Page Onions in my LOT3 have suffered with the July heat and spidermite infestation - not been able to control it. 381mm high x 673mm circ. only 7 greenish leaves, it has completely finished.   Saturday, August 1 View Page LOT2 onion is little better, hardly any circ. growth last month and while healthier than the ones in the other tunnel do not expect much improvement.   Saturday, August 1 View Page First Marrows have set, this one has been pecked four times by a Pheasant so have had to cut it off. Two more on the same plant so not to serious, these have been netted over now.   Saturday, August 1 View Page Double headed Leek found in LOT1, again not to serious as may still be showable in the heaviest class. Cooler/damper weather now so suiting leeks more, lets hope the heat does not return this month.   Saturday, August 1 View Page Had a day off today visiting the CLA Game Fair at Harewood House. Lovely weather in the morning and great setting for lovers of the British countryside.   Friday, August 7 View Page Dressed Onions ripening in the barn, need to match up a set to show next week, not very even/round shapes this year.   Friday, August 7 View Page Marrows are all trained now and have at least one set, a little later than normal, will see if it saves the losses I have been suffering from previously. Very dry in the garden for July/August having to water and feed most days.   Friday, August 14 View Page My first set Gigantomo tomatoes have ripened, cut off the bottom one for a show but found it had split underneath and was not sound. Weighed 2.5lb, second one cut and weighed but it was slightly less.   Friday, August 14 View Page First long leeks exh. at the Vale Show, pleased with these as clean, uniform, straight and measured 8.1" x 15" Hope to have more size later but doubt I will improve on condition.   Friday, August 14 View Page The judges considered my dressed Onions to be the best exhibit in the show, so pleased with this (even though I thought the Leeks were better)   Friday, August 14 View Page My Marrows are not fully grown yet as aiming for Sept. the winning Marrow at the show was almost 5ft (1.5m) long but thin so did not weigh as heavy as you would have expected.   Friday, August 21 View Page Day off from gardening visited Lincoln, walked around the newly opened Castle walls - great views of the Cathedral   Friday, August 21 View Page Also around the town is a Baron trail, all painted in different styles, this one with Mary is depicting the RAF. which has a large presence in Lincolnshire.   Thursday, August 27 View Page Marrows have been growing to well recently following rain and higher humidity, this one has opened up at the flower end and two others have opened up cracks across the ribs. Always the largest ones which fail, one of these was 22inches across.   Wednesday, September 2 View Page Large Onions are looking very tired, tops going over and few green leaves left. Little bulb growth since the hot weather, need to have more ventilation next year as the high temps seem to occur more frequently. Soon be lifting to show.   Wednesday, September 2 View Page Giant Tomatoes are better, the weather has turned cool so these may not ripen for another week or so and be about right for the main Sept shows. Not having much success with the Gigantomo variety, 2.5lbs looks like a heavy one but still have some growing.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Cucumbers on the plants which are still healthy, will have a reasonable long one but lost most of the heavies. They are all yellow now but sound and should hold for the later shows.   Tuesday, September 8 View Page Tomatoes are really doing well now, the largest look like coming from some seed I obtained through a seed swap with Mehdi (thanks Mehdi)lets hope I can keep them sound until the shows in 10days or so. Weather is cool at the moment so will leave them on as long as possible.   Monday, September 21 View Page Had a good show at the National Pot Leek championships, 9th out of perhaps 50 club members. Also 5th with Long Leeks. Managed to show a set of 3 at Blyth along with my heavy Onion, first time I have show leeks at Blyth.   Monday, September 21 View Page Only 5th this year with the Onion at Blyth, I am well down on weight this year, blaming the hot weather early July, but may have made a mistake adding more M3 to the JI2 growing medium.   Monday, September 21 View Page A good win with the longest Cucumber at Harrogate show 34inches and Runner Bean 33.8inches. Also won heaviest Rhubarb, Carrot, Parsnip, Potato, Marrow.   Monday, September 21 View Page Lost out to a larger Onion at Harrogate show by only 5gramme, there was hardly anything between the first three, clearly all growers have found this years weather challenging.   Wednesday, September 30 View Page Malvern show, won the heaviest tomato class 2.45kg (5.4lb) a personnel best for me. The seed was from a good friend Gareth who won Harrogate show last year with a similar weight.   Wednesday, September 30 View Page New world record Leek, Paul Rochester.   Wednesday, September 30 View Page David Thomas with his new world record heavy Cucumber.   Sunday, October 18 View Page A glimpse of some exhibitors including myself at Malvern show in the giant veg. classes.   Sunday, October 18 View Page Long Beans have been very successful, winning everywhere. They are still green and growing slowly as mild weather and no frosts yet.   Sunday, October 18 View Page Pink root found on almost all my Onion compost now I am emptying their growing pots. May be the hot July but still not sure where the disease comes from as all new sterilised compost used.   Sunday, October 18 View Page Put the best sound Swede and Beetroot back outside to grow for next years seed (hopefully) have a cover over the swede as they are prone to rot over winter. May have to protect if severe frosts.   Saturday, October 24 View Page Had a few days away in England this year, visited the Fens near ELY town, very pastoral scene. Not sure if the Cow was able to find a way out of the mud lol.   Saturday, October 24 View Page ELY Cathedral on a fine Autumn day, town one side parkland the other. Not to far away but do not think I have been for 50years.   Saturday, October 24 View Page While we were away I had made a trial sowing of the large Onion seed, 15 of each 3 heads, pleased to find that after 10 days 12, 13, & 14 had germinated. I think the main cause of poor germination is letting the compost dry out on top, easy to do if the temp. rises above 18-20c.   Saturday, November 7 View Page Onions germinated well, will have far to many to prick out but at least I can select the best. Now under 24hr lighting perhaps until the end of the month.   Saturday, November 7 View Page Received a few Llanberis long Leek grass from breeder David Metcalfe, look very strong and clean. Hope I can do better with them this next season.   Thursday, November 26 View Page Received a few new pot Leeks (Betty Black) to try and grow for the heaviest, looks to be two settings so will see how they develop. Background are my own Yorkshire Giants and Pendal. Under 8.5hr supplementary daylighting.   Tuesday, December 8 View Page Large Onions moved away from 24hr light into my heated greenhouse cabinet. Best potted on into 6.5inch deep ones filled with JI2 compost. T5 light on 9.5hrs during the day. Perhaps early with such strong plants as they have still to face winter.   Friday, December 25 View Page Christmas by the seaside - Bridlington in Yorkshire. Found the fishermen have erected a new bronze statue to the 'Gansey Girl' Mild and wet a present so able to leave my Leeks & Onions for a while.