Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 114 Entries. Tuesday, January 1 View Page Happy new year everyone, good growing in 2019. I need to show a larger Onion this time (been going backwards last few years) Have large plants now and potted a few on today into 9 inch deep using Coir growing medium.   Thursday, February 7 View Page Close up of recently planted Onion in lot1   Monday, February 18 View Page trial post.   Friday, March 1 View Page LOT 1 onions now established   Thursday, March 7 View Page Seedlings just started of other giant veg.   Thursday, March 7 View Page Test 3 Int.Ex, New   Monday, March 11 View Page Planted out the last 8 giant Onions into my Dutch light greenhouse, these 2 are in 100 litre Airpots filled with Canna Coir.   Tuesday, April 2 View Page Onions in lot1 are growing but these ones in air pots filled with coir are showing excessive yellow tipping of their older leaves, not sure if too dry so have watered again but still no run through.   Tuesday, April 2 View Page Kohl Rabi, Potato, Red Cabbage, Swede, all now in cool frost free greenhouse. We have had a very sunny spell of weather so all are growing fast and soon need potting on.   Tuesday, April 2 View Page Pot Leeks for the heavy class and perhaps exhibition are filling their largest pots so will have to plant in the beds once the nights warm up.   Tuesday, April 2 View Page Peppers have germinated well but still in the propagator, removing the cover during sunny days once the greenhouse warms up.   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Yellow tipping on the LOT1 coir Onions is worse, perhaps feeding at to high an EC   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Pot Leeks waiting to be planted out once current frosts are over, happy with the growth so far.   Thursday, April 25 View Page Further problems with the Onions, trapped young leaves in the neck, half the coir ones are affected. Advised to flush out all excess nutrients and hope they can grow away.   Thursday, April 25 View Page Red Cabbage   Thursday, April 25 View Page Beetroot, these are prone to run to seed if checked, will have to cover down when frosts forecast.   Thursday, April 25 View Page Peppers have been slow growing but looking better since potted on with the sunny days.   Friday, April 26 View Page Parsnips planted out into the netted tunnel. strong plants and weather good so should have a good start.   Friday, April 26 View Page Carrots also   Sunday, April 28 View Page First double Onion just appeared, young RH leaf should be growing between the two LH ones. May be caused by a check or recent high temp's. Hope no more appear as only growing six large ones in soil compost this year.   Sunday, April 28 View Page Large Onions planted up for seed are starting to grow very strong seed heads, will have to be supporting them next week.   Sunday, May 5 View Page Onion leaf tipping is likely to be due to watering/feeding with to high an EC so need to flush out. Used Canna Flush added to the water to try and clear out the excess salts. Six pots done, the 90 litre pots needed up to 30 ltr of water at ph 5.5 to obtain 5 - 10% run through. Other ones just done with clean 5.5ph water. Will take some weeks to see if successful.   Sunday, May 5 View Page Exhibition onions? have grown well since planting in the large greenhouse with no heat or light, wish my heavy ones looked as good. Half of these are in Coir others in JI2.   Sunday, May 5 View Page Planted two heavy Potatoes into the raised soil bed, but as these were started in Coir I have surrounded them in more coir to give them a good start and hopefully reduce scab on the tubers.   Wednesday, May 29 View Page Kohl Rabi now established in my netted tunnel, half barrels filled with coir but plant roots can grow into the soil below. Left one looks the part but think the righthand one thinks it is a cabbage-will see how it developes.   Wednesday, May 29 View Page Still having problems with the coir Onions, older leaves severely tipped but young centre growth is green, some problems now with trapped leaves in the neck, certain this is all due to overfeeding through feb/march into april.   Wednesday, May 29 View Page This is the best coir plant but even this has brown edging to the older leaves and not as high in the neck for end of May.   Wednesday, May 29 View Page Only grew large 6 Onions in soil this year and lost 2 with doubling/soft skins. This is the best one for shape and healthy leaves, also fresh neck. Had to spray all plants again for Thrip - finding it difficult to keep them away.   Wednesday, May 29 View Page Pot Leeks are the largest I have grown at the end of May, this one is in coir and has had the same treatment as the onions - clearly a higher feed is suiting them at present.   Saturday, June 1 View Page Planted out the first Aubergines in 30 litre pots filled with recycled coir, these are in my old cold greenhouse.   Saturday, June 1 View Page Planted out peppers on the opposite side   Saturday, June 1 View Page Beetroot and Swede soon droop in the hot sun, these are in my open frame and are being watered several times a week. Outside it is even drier, our first 5 month rainfall total is less than half last years - 177mm/374mm 2018   Saturday, June 1 View Page Beetroot and Swede soon droop in the hot sun, these are in my open frame and are being watered several times a week. Outside it is even drier, our first 5 month rainfall total is less than half last years - 177mm/374mm 2018   Saturday, June 1 View Page Heavy and Long Cucumbers germinated well and will soon be ready to plant into my tunnel, growing them in Coir.   Saturday, June 1 View Page Mixed up the photo's - Heavy tomatoes germinated ok using seed from my B. record one. + largest shown last year. Will pot these on this week and plant in my large cold greenhouse in 10 days or so.   Saturday, June 15 View Page Seed head showing today on one of my coir Onions, think this is the result of overfeeding and then trying to flush out.   Saturday, June 15 View Page Several have split in 4 or 5 skins for the same reason perhaps.   Saturday, June 15 View Page More trapped leaves in the onion necks, ditto   Saturday, June 15 View Page After a very wet week I am able to plant out runner Beans and Marrows, Almost as much rain recently as in the first 5 months of the year.   Friday, June 21 View Page Aubergine   Friday, June 21 View Page Beetroot and Heavy pot Leeks in the foreground   Friday, June 21 View Page Cucumbers   Friday, June 21 View Page Carrot and Parsnip, these are in the old greenhouse but all others outside in the netted tunnel   Friday, June 21 View Page Kohl Rabi in the netted tunnel, one looks the part but the other is growing all leaf at present.   Friday, June 21 View Page Marrow, this one is for a early August show - it will have to grow quickly, others smaller for Sept.   Friday, June 21 View Page Cantaloupe Melon   Friday, June 21 View Page Later Onions in new greenhouse   Friday, June 21 View Page Pepper   Friday, June 21 View Page Potato   Friday, June 21 View Page Radish just sown   Friday, June 21 View Page Red Cabbage   Friday, June 21 View Page Swede   Friday, June 21 View Page Tomato in new greenhouse, also some in tunnels   Sunday, July 7 View Page The 220 Baggs Marrows are showing more vigour than the others I am growing this year. Weather still not ideal, some very hot dry days followed by single figure cold nights.   Sunday, July 7 View Page This is a 165 '17 marrow in the same patch.   Wednesday, July 10 View Page Still have four Onions growing in JI2, this is the largest 27 inches circ. and a true onion shape. Not as high as I would like for a real heavy but should put on several more inches in circ.   Wednesday, July 10 View Page Large Onion heads have almost set, seem to have almost 100% pollination.   Wednesday, July 10 View Page Should be no shortage of good heavy Onion seed this year.   Tuesday, July 16 View Page Very large megabloom on first Tomato truss however the plant has gone blind at this point. Cannot tell yet how big it is but trying to encourage pollination.   Friday, August 2 View Page Runner beans are flowering and earliest trusses have set. Do not appear to be having a good set on the next trusses - perhaps due to the high temps (38c)   Friday, August 2 View Page Now have a Marrow set on the 220lb plant, first flower did not take. Plan to leave 2 or 3 marrows on each plant to try and even out growth as this strain appears easily split.   Friday, August 2 View Page Kohl Rabi growing massive leaves but the RH one has little body so far.   Friday, August 2 View Page Red Cabbage have hearted up (8inches dia.) but older outer leaves being lost.   Friday, August 2 View Page Radish now covering top of growing tub, so far without running to seed - thought to hot weather might affect them.   Friday, August 2 View Page Parsnips & Carrots growing good tops (not sure what is underneath) Hot dry week has brought spider mite on a carrot and adjoining parsnip.   Friday, August 2 View Page Beetroot were growing well but found seeded side shoots on all of them today. only a matter of time before the centre runs up.   Friday, August 2 View Page Cantaloupe Melon growing in little greenhouse has one set low down however later ones have not set - think this one will be too early for the show end of sept.   Friday, August 2 View Page Swede not doing well, this large one has rotted internally, others going the same way.   Friday, August 2 View Page Cucumbers have been very slow to establish in their Coir trays, now growing, but weak and perhaps to late.   Friday, August 2 View Page Tomatoes are the best I have grown so far, this is the one with the massive megabloom (6flower perhaps) grown into a wheel trapping the stem so will have to see have it develops.   Friday, August 2 View Page Heavy Leeks also good, this is a Betty Black growing in soil. a little spider mite on some but generally healthy.   Thursday, August 8 View Page Best shaped Onion has been stopped by the record heat (38c) now on 29 inches   Thursday, August 8 View Page This coir Onion is higher and has a greener top but only 27 inches.   Thursday, August 8 View Page Two Cucumbers look sick today, growing in recycled coir and clearly contaminated - only use fresh compost.   Thursday, August 8 View Page Cantaloupe Melon growing to fast for end of sept show, no other female flowers on this plant, have a later plant just setting now.   Thursday, August 8 View Page Onion heads have all set seed and will ripen well in the hot sunny weather.   Thursday, August 8 View Page First Aubergine has set ok, but this may be too early for end of sept. Have three different types so will see which grows the heaviest.   Wednesday, August 14 View Page Marrows have all started straight but are now bending, not sure if it is due to poor sets/weather/genetics. Other years I find the thinner bend is a weak area prone to splits.   Wednesday, August 14 View Page Runner Beans have set well, need to spend some time thinning down the trusses.   Wednesday, August 14 View Page Potato tops are looking tired or already given up, not to hopeful about what is underneath the soil but can see at least one on most plants.   Wednesday, August 14 View Page Feeding most veg. growing in soil, when I water now and following the instruction on the packet. Never tested the EC before but find it gives a EC of 1.0 in rainwater. If I used in our tap water EC 0.4 it would be 1.4   Monday, September 2 View Page Won best in show yesterday at Mansfield with this pair of Pot Leeks, decided not to grow them again next year as the weather in this part of England is now too hot for them.   Monday, September 2 View Page Lost two 220lb seed Marrows, this one with cracks between the rib's even though it was still young, wall looks thick but inside there are large splits in the flesh, no seeds had formed yet. The other larger one had a blossom end split. At this rate I will be lucky to show one over 100lb.   Monday, September 2 View Page Aubergines look ok but still uncertain on the timing for Malvern show, most reduced to one but have left three on this so far.   Monday, September 2 View Page Cantoloupe Melon growing well but skin cracks starting so will not gain a lot more, still think it is too early for Malvern show at the end of Sept.   Monday, September 9 View Page Managed to stage a sound Mark Baggs 220 seed Marrow, a winner at 115lb but of course not much more than half grown.   Monday, September 9 View Page Won the heaviest Onion at 14lb 3oz as grown, a good weight for Stanley show but not likely to be in the cards at Harrogate.   Monday, September 9 View Page Similar result with the heaviest Tomato.   Tuesday, September 17 View Page Heavy Onions back from Harrogate show, no wins with them - 4th single, 3rd three. Also staged at Blyth show over the weekend doing better there - 2nd   Tuesday, September 17 View Page Two Harrogate wins, this was the Marrow - 145 lbs, from a 172 Mark Baggs seed, still young but thought it better to show it while it was sound. Made a big impression at the show even though the competition was strong. Other win was with heaviest Potato 4.18 lb.   Tuesday, September 17 View Page This was the Blyth Onion, just over 14 lbs.   Tuesday, September 17 View Page 3rd with the heaviest Leek which was a big improvement for me in recent years.   Tuesday, October 1 View Page Giant vegetable growers enjoying the last day of Malvern show   Tuesday, October 1 View Page Won heaviest Tomato 2.9 kg (almost 6.5lb) new British Record.   Tuesday, October 1 View Page Heaviest Kohl Rabi, 21.61kg (47.5lb)   Tuesday, October 1 View Page Longest Runner Bean 32inches. Only won by a fraction of an inch.   Tuesday, October 1 View Page Heaviest Potato 1.9kg (little over 4lb) Third win this year with it so cannot complain that it was small by some standards.   Tuesday, October 1 View Page Aubergine 2.45kg (almost 5.4lb)   Tuesday, October 1 View Page Three heaviest Tomatoes 6.35kg (14lb) Overhaul 15 cards from 17 entries staged so well pleased.   Sunday, October 6 View Page Onion head has only produced pips no seed, look healthy so may set a few away early Dec.   Sunday, October 6 View Page Runner Beans cut off and brought in the greenhouse to dry out, had a good year with them at the shows - longest 32inches, not the longest I have grown but good for this poor season.   Sunday, October 6 View Page Tomatoes still growing slowly and will be good to eat if weather stays mild, all the heaviest came off first truss megablooms.   Wednesday, October 9 View Page Lifted two more good sound Marrows today, 138lb and 143lb, both from Mark Baggs 151, Almost as heavy as my Harrogate winner. It seems these late set fruits do not suffer the splits etc of the early ones, but of course the growing season has finished here now.   Friday, October 11 View Page Grew two late Tomatoes in 70litre air pots after pulling weak Onions, grown well in the Coir, today cut off the largest from the first truss - 5.16lb, not a record but good weight.   Thursday, October 31 View Page Large Onion seedlings after 9 days in the propagator, now moved them under 24hr 4 tube T5 lights. trying to keep the air temp around 15c. Will need pricking out early next week so the new season well underway!   Thursday, November 7 View Page Pricked out my onions into 2.5inch pots F1s compost, not much nutrient but should allow a good root system to develop.   Thursday, November 7 View Page Lane from the house had been flooded overnight after almost 24hrs of rain.   Monday, November 25 View Page Onions potted into 4 inch and first cane support fitted, still under 24hr lighting. Also started a few Pips which are now shooting and will soon catch up the seed onions.   Monday, November 25 View Page Started refilling two small raised beds in my large greenhouse, raising the level with pea gravel and plan to have 12 to 15 inch growing medium on top, may not add this until nearer planting out time in Feb.   Wednesday, December 11 View Page Onions now in my greenhouse cabinet under 9.5 hrs T5 lighting, all potted into 5 inch, most in Coir, some Terra peat remainder M3 peat. 6th leaf now showing on best, all staked to keep leaves upright.   Wednesday, December 11 View Page Taking part in a winter grow Carrot competition, the aim is to grow one with the largest circumference. Seedlings of one variety have all germinated and will soon need pricking out.   Tuesday, December 24 View Page Best Onions potted on into 7 inch pots this week, they will soon outgrow this greenhouse cabinet and it looks like having to plant out end Jan/early Feb.   Tuesday, December 24 View Page Winter competition Carrots are growing now under the onion lights, will soon have to move them on.   Thursday, December 26 View Page Carrot photo