Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 108 Entries. Monday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year to everyone. My 2018 season already underway, moving the Onions from their 24hr light area into the greenhouse.   Monday, January 1 View Page All safely across into the greenhouse heated cabinet, supplementary lights on for 10hrs only during daytime.   Monday, January 1 View Page Long Leeks and Pot Leeks now moved into my older greenhouse cabinet to make way for the Onions. Have started potting on the best into 5 inch pots, some in peat based compost others in coir.   Thursday, January 11 View Page Exhibition Onions under 24hr T5 lighting picked out with first true leaf just showing. Set a few of the biggest Pips away, these are from a large onion, will see how they develop as I have not grown from pips for many years.   Thursday, January 11 View Page Sowed first Carrots and Parsnips in deep pots in my propagator, these will be pricked out into individual longer pipes once first true leaves develop.   Thursday, February 1 View Page Onions are still growing under supplementary lighting for 10.5 hrs in my greenhouse cabinet, potted on the best into 7 inch round pots with higher supports. The larger plants in the foreground are in Coco compost, others in peat/soil   Thursday, February 1 View Page Heavy and exhibition Leeks are in a separate cabinet with the light on 9.5 hrs, coco ones on the left are larger than the peat/soil ones   Saturday, February 24 View Page Giant Onions will soon be ready to plant out into my heated frame and tunnels, however severe weather forecast for next week so no rush to move then on.   Saturday, February 24 View Page Giant Beetroot & Swede removed from propagator onto heated side bench in greenhouse, may be too early, depends on the weather.   Saturday, February 24 View Page Carrots and Parsnips now transplanted into my short two part pipes, growing under a T5 light.   Saturday, March 3 View Page Severe winter weather this week, blizzard conditions with gales from the east and low temps. Onion and Leek photo's will have to wait as growing cabinets are fully shut up with extra insulation over.   Friday, March 9 View Page Planted out the first 5 Large Onions into my heated/supplemented lighted tunnel, weather has warmed up almost spring. The plants in the foreground have been started in coir and will continue in this growing medium.   Friday, March 9 View Page I am growing a few Leeks in coir and pleased with the root structure, now moved from 7inch to 9inch pots and will stay in these for another month.   Monday, April 2 View Page Best Soil Onion has established now after planting out in my frame, weather has been very poor, cold and dark so heat and lights (T5/SonT/CDM) on most days.   Monday, April 2 View Page Best Coir Onion in the same frame but in a smaller 90 litre pot   Monday, April 2 View Page Heavy Carrots and Parsnips are still in their small heated and T5 lit cabinet, having to wait until spring finally arrives before planting outside.   Monday, April 2 View Page Heavy and Exhibition Leeks also held back by the poor wintery weather, almost suffering now with not being potted on due to lack of space last month.   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Coir and one soil Onion in my second tunnel, started a month late and now 5 weeks behind - weather has been cold/wet/dark for another month, apart from a heatwave week of high 20's   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Best Coir onion in frame tunnel.   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Best soil onion in frame tunnel   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Pot Leeks finally planted out into my top frame, behind last year but plants look healthy.   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Long Leeks planted also in frame and growing away well, will have to remove pipe collars soon.   Wednesday, May 9 View Page Carrots and Parsnips are suffering in the greenhouse growing cabinet, however until now it has been too wet/cold to plant them out.   Wednesday, May 9 View Page Planted best ones outside in my netted tunnel, can place larger clear plastic barrels over them at night or if weather turns cold/windy again.   Wednesday, May 9 View Page Largest one looks like an exhibition carrot shape however expect it will have forked, hope to see side shoots appearing as the crown grows.   Thursday, May 10 View Page Planted out first Swede and Beetroot, these are in a covered frame but others will be outside covered with enviromesh.   Thursday, May 10 View Page After a long dark winter suddenly its summer and needed to bring the onion tunnel shading out. Expect the heat will be short lived.   Thursday, May 10 View Page Trying to grow a giant Kohl Rabi, treating them like cabbage but not sure of timing for late sept. show.   Friday, June 1 View Page Large Onions growing in my second tunnel, soil one in the foreground with Coir plants behind, so far the soil ones slightly stronger.   Saturday, June 2 View Page Good soil Onion plant around 17 inch circ. well behind last year so far.   Saturday, June 2 View Page Cucumbers just started, heavy and long, need to prepare planting stations as want to plant straight from these pots. Growing in Coir.   Saturday, June 2 View Page Heavy Carrots established in their barrels, weather has been poor but now ideal - warm and humid.   Saturday, June 2 View Page Heavy Leek in Coir looking healthy but needs to keep growing now that the weather has improved.   Saturday, June 2 View Page Kol Rabi has grown since planting out early last month, not been ideal weather but better now.   Thursday, June 21 View Page Heavy Cucumbers planted in coir, weather ideal now with long sunny days.   Thursday, June 21 View Page Tomatoes also, should get off to a flying start.   Thursday, June 21 View Page Runner Beans outside, soil now dry even after the long wet spring, may have to water however I know if I do it will attract Moles.   Thursday, June 21 View Page Onions starting to bulb but still behind previous years, plants look strong. Some are suffering Thrip damage even though I have been using predators so have had to resort to spraying.   Sunday, July 1 View Page This is certainly the best Onion so far, even if it is behind last years. Had a hot dry June and even with shading/fans temp. too high in tunnels.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Long Leeks have grown well but are now coming up in the centre, hope they are not running to seed.   Sunday, July 1 View Page My best heavy Leek measures 12inches circ. however the competition have them 17inches - long time until Sept.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Carrots in my netted tunnel have made strong lush foliage with watering every evening.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Have two Carrots inside the greenhouse and they have more leaves but not as strong, all healthy so far.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Kohl Rabi wilt in the midday sun despite daily watering - it is over 30c!   Sunday, July 1 View Page Swede are worse.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Beetroot not much better   Sunday, July 1 View Page Long Runner beans not liking it so hot and dry, reluctant to start watering these as Moles will be a problem here.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Marrows are coping better but one of these has been uprooted by Moles   Sunday, July 1 View Page Potatoes looking well now, watering heavier and thinning out the tubers trying to leave only one or two per plant.   Saturday, July 7 View Page Tomatoes growing quickly in the strong sunshine and 30c temp.   Monday, July 16 View Page Aubergine plants liking the sun/heat, left one fruit on to see what develops, too early for the late sept. show   Monday, July 16 View Page Exhibition onions have not recovered from the thrip infestation, tops have finished to early so will be unable to dress any of these successfully for the shows.   Monday, July 16 View Page First heavy cucumber flower out, however no male flowers around to pollinate it (do not think this affects the growth)   Monday, July 16 View Page Heavy onions are suffering with the high temps, 30c every day for weeks now (higher in the tunnels) this one is in soil compost.   Monday, July 16 View Page This onion is in Coir growing medium and generally these have greener tops, even if not the largest bulbs.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Best heavy Carrot top now showing wide shoulder, they seem to like the hot weather if kept watered.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Tomato megabloom set, hope it does not suffer from blossom end rot which seems to be a problem this year, no doubt with the hot dry weather.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Kohl Rabi growing well at 19 inches circ. having to water every evening as 7 weeks now since any useful rain and 30c temps.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Long Leeks all running up to seed, must have been the cold weather after planting out to early.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Heat continues, Onion tops withering away. This one is in soil based compost.   Thursday, August 2 View Page High shouldered bulb with greener foliage, but not as large a circumference. This is growing in Coir compost and generally these plants have fresher tops.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Best heavy leek at present, managing to keep pests away but can only shade against the hot sun.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Giant Cucumbers growing weak now, do not think they like it so hot/dry and sunny, shading whole plants.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Marrows growing with daily watering, trying to shade the fruit with the plant leaves.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Aubergine coming to early for the late Sept. show. This is the largest so far 23inches circ. unlikey to increase as starting to ripen.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Have some good megabloom Tomatoes set but this one is tight up to the stem so problems likely as it expands.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Kondor Potatoes standing the heat well, tops still green.   Thursday, August 2 View Page However the adjoining Marfona potato plants giving up.   Thursday, August 2 View Page Runner Bean plants have grow ok, flower trusses have set well but the beans are going old before growing to any great length.   Wednesday, August 8 View Page Heavy Cucumbers are turning yellow before being fully grown due to the weeks of 30c temps. in the garden.(higher in the tunnel)   Wednesday, August 8 View Page Best heavy Onion has suffered also, little growth in it now but shows still weeks away so may lose weight.   Wednesday, August 8 View Page Largest Aubergine has also ripened too early, 3.62lb, think this is a good weight but will have to wait until our show end of Sept. to see what wins. Are there any shows in the USA for these and if so what weights.   Monday, August 20 View Page So dry here even after a light shower. We have not had useful rain for over 2.5 months. This is on the edge of my Marrow patch where the plants need watering every day.   Monday, August 20 View Page First Marrow split, two dill rings which make them suspect to later problems. Have three other marrows which I am more hopeful of   Monday, August 20 View Page Tomatoes finding it two hot and dry inside the greenhouse and several have suffered with black patches which eventually rots. This plant has two decent ones so will leave both on, most other plants reduced to one.   Monday, August 20 View Page Early set Cucumbers have turned yellow before fully developed but these look better, still green and growing steadily.   Monday, August 20 View Page Onions giving up and only slow growth in circumference now. These ones are in Coir growing medium and are fresher than all the soil grown plants.   Monday, August 20 View Page Trying to blanch one of my giant Leeks as it may be under 6 inches to the button for this weekends show. Growing in Coir also.   Friday, August 24 View Page Lifted Onion for tomorrows show, growing in coir inside air pots and the white root system amazing. Bulb weighed light perhaps due to the very hot growing temp's this year.   Tuesday, September 4 View Page Coir grown Onion finally suffering from the heat and green leaves dying back fast.   Tuesday, September 4 View Page Best Cucumber growing slowly but still green so can hope for at least more circumference over the next 3 weeks.   Tuesday, September 4 View Page Carrot tops are amazing this year but as none lifted so far can only guess at the roots, no very wide shoulders so lets hope they have grown downwards.   Tuesday, September 4 View Page Heavy Tomatoes look healthy but are starting to ripen too early, best around 22inches circ.   Tuesday, September 4 View Page Soil grown Onions have all finished with the dry hot August, most now lifted.   Monday, September 10 View Page Lifted an Onion for Blyth show, 16lb 15oz 'as grown'. Pleased with this win against strong competition. It has a strong green top and I was able to retain a mass of root when lifting from Canna Coir growing medium.   Monday, September 10 View Page Turned out the Coir today and disappointed to find Pink root around the base of the growing pot. Not sure where the fungal disease is coming from but know that it thrives at temps above 26c and we have had many days like this in the summer.   Tuesday, September 18 View Page Harrogate show heavy Onion won by Nick Brake 7.755kg, good shaped bulb.   Tuesday, September 18 View Page I managed 3rd at 6.615kg with a similar shape but lacking 50mm extra circ.   Tuesday, September 18 View Page Won the heaviest Tomato at 2.538kg   Tuesday, September 18 View Page Won the heaviest Parsnip at 4.025kg. One more show to go in 2 weeks.   Tuesday, October 2 View Page Five firsts at the Malvern UK giant veg show, this is the Radish with a new British record weight of 11.3kg   Tuesday, October 2 View Page Potato, 1.9kg   Tuesday, October 2 View Page Cucumber, 10.92kg (24.02 lb)   Tuesday, October 2 View Page Tomato, 2.50kg (5.50 lb)   Tuesday, October 2 View Page Onion, 6.52kg (14.35 lb) So for the Triple Crown Competition I have 24.02 + 5.50 + 14.35 total 43.87 lbs.   Tuesday, October 23 View Page New season started with Onions sown. Also trying a few from pips.   Tuesday, October 23 View Page Pot Leeks set away, Cumbria x and Betty Blacks. Once rooted will move the best into larger pots.   Tuesday, October 23 View Page Most of my time is being spent moving my 'little onion tunnel' away from the shade of the large Oak tree (it was only half this size 25+ years ago when I sited the tunnel) introducing more ventilation to the sides, as we keep having hotter summers.   Thursday, November 8 View Page Finally finished resiteing my onion tunnel, pleased with it but might have been easier starting from new.   Thursday, November 8 View Page This seasons onions growing ok under 24/7 lighting, potted first ones on into 4inch pots with support cane, half in JI soil based compost others in Canna Coir.   Thursday, November 8 View Page Onions for seeding down are drying out in the barn, this is frost free and I have a fan blowing through them, still having to remove the odd soft wet skin.   Saturday, December 1 View Page Onions growing away in their greenhouse cabinet, under 10hrs daytime T5 lighting. Well on for early Dec. and may be a space problem when potting on later.   Saturday, December 1 View Page Pot Leeks are still small and only growing under 9hr lighting, however I will be increasing the hours gradually over the winter.   Saturday, December 1 View Page Made a later onion sowing and moved them out of the propagator today. Will grow these along side my leeks without any 24hr lighting first, should be ready to plant out when the weather is right in the spring.   Saturday, December 29 View Page Onions all potted into 7 inch standard or 7 litre air pots, growing ok under T5 lights (10.5hrs) in cabinet.   Saturday, December 29 View Page Largest onions now in up to 10 litre air pots and standing in a higher greenhouse enclosure under hp Sodium lighting.   Saturday, December 29 View Page Late sowing onions which have not received 24hr lighting are only making slow progress, however not wanting to plant these out until mid April.   Saturday, December 29 View Page Pot Leeks just moved up into 5 inch pots of M3/JI2 all as close as possible to the T5 lighting. Very short dark days now, but in the greenhouse cabinet they can still benefit from any sunny days we have next month.