Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 134 Entries. Sunday, January 5 View Page Happy New Year everyone. Removed the cover off my netted tunnel today, been too wet until now to do anything on the front garden. Have to remove it each year in case we have a heavy snowfall (no snow last year)   Thursday, January 9 View Page Been filling my new greenhouse beds, this one with John Inness no2 the adjacent one with Canna Bio Terra, soil cable under on top of the pea gravel base. Finished depth will be around 12 - 14 inches. Now have rainfall figures for 2019 - 36 inches, almost 50% above long term average for my garden, still wet now!   Sunday, January 12 View Page Large Onions potted on into 9 inch deep, some in Bio Terra (they seem the strongest now) Coir and JIno2 all the best still in greenhouse cabinet under T5 lighting now on 10.25 daytime hours.   Tuesday, January 14 View Page Have a late Onion sowing underway, potted best on into 4 inch in Lev. M2   Tuesday, January 14 View Page Winter Carrot grow now potted on, some leaf burn under 24hr T5 lights when two almost dried out.   Monday, January 27 View Page Kondor seed potatoes arrived, these are in very short supply. Only five and have to share them with friend Joe.   Monday, January 27 View Page Sown Leek seeds for a facebook group competition, very slow from seed but will soon want pricking out.   Monday, January 27 View Page Started with insect predators against thrip, had to buy more than needed right now so doubled up on some Onion plants.   Saturday, February 1 View Page Mild weather so taking a chance with planting out my large Onions, this one in Coir from a 9 inch deep pot, good root system just right for moving on. Photo taken in LOT2 I know we still have winter weather to face but at least they will be established, of course they have some heat and light anyway.   Saturday, February 1 View Page Winter Carrot comp. now has 2 months to run, my best are looking good and think they will reach a fair circ. by then, just concerned about them splitting.   Wednesday, February 5 View Page Planted first Onions into LOT2 with heat and lights. These are in 65litre Airpots, 6 filled with Coir, 2 with Terra and 2 with John Inness compost.   Wednesday, February 5 View Page Onions in raised bed are settling in, half in Terra and rest in Clover John Inness compost.   Friday, February 21 View Page Recently planted Onions growing in Coir seem to be going backwards with yellow leaf tipping and pale colour, increased feed to EC 1.5 ph 5.8 and watered to run through.   Friday, February 21 View Page Adjacent onion growing in Terra, no tipping good colour and growth noticeable.   Sunday, March 1 View Page Beetroot moved out of propagator under onion supplementary lights, winter competition carrots making more foliage now but happy with the roots.   Sunday, March 1 View Page Kohl Rabi growing faster now and one or two potted into 5 inch pots. These are in with my later exh. Onions in their old greenhouse cabinet.   Monday, March 2 View Page Swede seedlings moved from propagator and stood with onions under supplementary lights. Long Leeks from seed also in this area are being to form wider leaves and will soon need collaring to increase length.   Monday, March 2 View Page Kohl Rabi now being potted on into 5 inch, they are in OG cabinet with exhibition Onions, all these now in 7 inch pots M3/JI2 and supported by canes and clips.   Monday, March 2 View Page All giant Onions planted out now but the last ones in Coir have not established well so far, some leaf tipping and very pale foliage. Have increased EC of feed to 1.5 and given them a foliage spray.   Monday, March 2 View Page Direct sown Parsnips and Carrots have not made strong growth so far, light levels have been poor in Feb.   Sunday, March 15 View Page Having more problems with Onions growing in Coir, found two with young leaves trapped in neck, removed one but trying to save this one by cutting open the neck to release growth. Looks a mess now but should grow out.   Sunday, March 15 View Page The Onion I lifted was growing in a 60 litre air pot and pleased to find that roots had already reached right to the bottom.   Sunday, March 15 View Page Replaced with a later sown Onion (mid Dec.) far smaller but this time air pot filled with Terra so hope for better results and will see if it continues to grow on later into the summer than the early ones.   Sunday, March 15 View Page Made small sowing of Red Cabbage even though never showed one last year - hope the grow them larger this season.   Sunday, March 15 View Page Facebook Longest Leek competition plants given 6 to 9 inch collars now, mainly to support them upright but will also help to draw them up.   Thursday, April 2 View Page Won the facebook competition for the largest circ. Carrot at the end of March (by far the largest)   Thursday, April 2 View Page These are my best Onions growing in Canna Terra, look really strong in the necks.   Thursday, April 2 View Page Onions growing in Coir not so good, low leaf count and short in the necks. Given them a higher 1.5 EC feed + 0.2 nitrogen.   Thursday, April 2 View Page Yorkshire giant Pot Leek moved into 23 litre container filled with Terra, should be ok in this until end of the month when most frosts have gone.   Thursday, April 2 View Page My facebook comp. for the longest Leek is going well so far - 10 inches to the button and now in a 7 inch pot.   Saturday, April 11 View Page Best Coir Onion - would have liked it larger at this time   Saturday, April 11 View Page Worst Coir Onion - short with stunted leaves   Saturday, April 11 View Page Planted out 4 Kohl Rabi into netted tunnel, far to hot today for them inside 24c. It will come cold again so have to be prepared to cover at night.   Saturday, April 11 View Page Also planted first Parsnips in the netted tunnel.   Tuesday, April 21 View Page Best Onion so far - growing in 60 litre air pot filled with Canna Terra. Very strong neck looks like it could produce a heavyweight if I can keep it healthy.   Tuesday, April 21 View Page All the heavy Carrots planted now, surrounded with protective barrel as very strong cold drying NE wind.   Tuesday, April 21 View Page Giant Swede planted ,again with protection. These are inside my netted tunnel.   Tuesday, April 21 View Page Giant Beetroot also out, this is in trench frame.   Tuesday, April 21 View Page Planted out 'Yorkshire Giant' Pot Leeks and later Onions into my top frame, these are in 90 & 50 litre pots - some filled with Coir others Terra.   Tuesday, April 21 View Page Planted a large Kohl Rabi out of a 23 litre pot into half barrel set on rich ground with barrel filled with Terra.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Giant Beetroot has grown in the last month or so. Weather has been extreme - two -3c air frosts, three days of gales, now weeks of 25c + sunny days.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Planted out giant Potatoes into my front frame but just with the roof on, tied up halums to timber rail to keep foliage upright.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Exhibition Onions well established now and likeing the hot weather in this open frame bed.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Aubergines planted into my large greenhouse, good weather for them   Thursday, May 28 View Page Peppers also.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Best Onion growing in Coir filled air pot, 20+ inches circ. x 14 high.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Largest Onion growing in Terra filled air pot, 23 inches circ x 15 high with very strong neck, 20 green leaves.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Heavy Yorkshire Giant Leek is the best I have grown at this time of year, do not think weeks of current high temps/dry air will suit them.   Monday, June 8 View Page Swede growing well despite the dry weather and me not watering them.   Monday, June 8 View Page Kohl Rabi making enormous top, but have been watering and feeding through the current dry spell.   Monday, June 8 View Page Facebook competition 'longest Leek' now in 4 ft high collars, perhaps to the button 3ft and think they will grow higher.   Monday, June 8 View Page Largest circ. Onion in the NG is on 26 inches x 15 high, it put on 2 inches last week in circ. but is going to be a rather flat bulb when you need height for the weight.   Monday, June 8 View Page Have six early Tomatoes growing in the NG, half in Coir half in Terra in 90 litre pots. Later sowing just made, however heard today that Harrogate show has been cancelled and Malvern show is likely to follow.   Sunday, June 14 View Page Weather has turned warm and humid, planted out six Cucumbers into Coir filled trays. Watered/fed the coir well before planting.   Sunday, June 14 View Page First runner beans planted, not planning to grow so many this time   Sunday, June 14 View Page Marrows started, will plant out in a few days before they fill the pots with root.   Sunday, June 14 View Page Tomatoes underway, seed from my British record, again not planning on growing so many.   Sunday, June 14 View Page Earthed up kitchen Potatoes after a welcome rain. Blight warning so sprayed last evening.   Sunday, June 14 View Page Exhibition onions growing strongly but not very uniform.   Sunday, June 21 View Page Longest day and this is a round up of all the 17 kinds of giant veg. I am growing - starting with Aubergine   Sunday, June 21 View Page Bean   Sunday, June 21 View Page Beetroot   Sunday, June 21 View Page Carrot   Sunday, June 21 View Page Cucumber   Sunday, June 21 View Page Kohl Rabi   Sunday, June 21 View Page Leek   Sunday, June 21 View Page Marrow   Sunday, June 21 View Page Melon   Sunday, June 21 View Page Onion   Sunday, June 21 View Page Parsnip   Sunday, June 21 View Page Pepper   Sunday, June 21 View Page Potato   Sunday, June 21 View Page Radish   Sunday, June 21 View Page Red Cabbage   Sunday, June 21 View Page Swede   Sunday, June 21 View Page Tomato - early sowing and later main ones.   Sunday, June 21 View Page Longest Leek - 'giant veg group' facebook competition   Thursday, July 23 View Page Problem with Leek splitting in and flags rotting   Thursday, July 23 View Page Best Leek in LOT1   Thursday, July 23 View Page Perhaps the best Onion at this time, 29 inches + but has lost to many leaves to grow really heavy.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Dressed the Exhibition Onions in the bed before lifting at the end of the month.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Cucumbers have been slow to establish but first female flower bud now showing.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Tomatoes are the same   Thursday, July 23 View Page Cantaloupe Melons even slower, been to cold at night/little sunshine.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Onion seed heads all set now, this is the largest but all have set well.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Red Cabbage hearting up, this is the largest plant.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Swede making massive tops and still sound (so far)   Thursday, July 23 View Page Marrows running now, started to bury vine. Watering most evenings as dry again.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Kohl Rabi have large tops and look healthy. Longest Leek comp. plants being drawn up in pipes.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Swede tops large but mildew just starting   Thursday, July 23 View Page Carrots have healthy foliage, watering around to try and keep constantly moist, will erect a roof over best to prevent splitting if heavy rain next month.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Radish in NG growing better, taken a while to establish after transplanting.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Early Tomato plant has grown a ribbon stalk with perhaps a megabloom at the end - not seen this before.   Friday, July 31 View Page Cantoloupe Melons in front tunnel planted in recycled Coir starting to grow away - the two plants I have in the OG in new coir are still very weak   Friday, July 31 View Page Similar problem with the Cucumbers, best ones in recycled Coir.   Friday, July 31 View Page This is now the largest Onion 30 inches circ. however suffering with a sudden severe Spidermite attack, have sprayed and will again in a few days.   Saturday, August 15 View Page May not prove to be the heaviest Onion but it is a true onion shape. Recent heatwave will have almost finished further growth.   Saturday, August 15 View Page First Tomato has ripened, set a few away early to experiment with different growing methods - almost 4lb so would have been useful at the August shows (none this year)   Saturday, August 15 View Page Growing a Sunflower for the largest head in a local competition, looking good so far - last year the head broke off in a gale but think I have this better supported.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page Have Marrows set on all plants now and recent useful rain should help them along, it will also save me watering every night. First decent rain since early July.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page Cantaloupe Melons growing now but no female flowers so far, have stopped main vines to try and encourage more laterals/sub laterals. Should have started them earlier perhaps.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page First Cucumber was set low down on the main stem, if it grows as long as I hope it will be resting on the floor.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page Pepper plants have one set and other flowers are being removed, which is a daily job.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page Aubergines have one set on two plants so far, do not appear to be very good shaped sets so far.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page Onion seed heads all set but will need a few more dry sunny weeks to fully ripen. Look like having good seed from my largest bulbs.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page Grew a later Onion in small pot (22litre) to see how it would turn out, pot filled with Coir and watered from the bottom with Canna A & B feed. Finishing but has reached 28.5 inches circ. so far.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Heavy Cucumber has grow well until now, we had two cold nights (down to 5c in tunnel) and this seems to have slowed them. Plants strong and healthy in this tunnel growing in recycled Coir.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Good shaped heavy Tomato in this tunnel as well, lets hope it continues to fill out and we have no more cold nights for a week or two.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Have a local giant veg. show this weekend and plan to lift this heavy Onion - 30.4 inches circ. but has not increased this for two weeks.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Need a Pot Leek for the show, this is the only giant one under 6 inches to the button (I hope it is when lifted) Would be better if I could enter it in a heavy leek class, standing 36 inches high.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Recent gales have blown off all the best eating apples, while they will be bruised able to eat some.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Had to lift a Kohl Rabi as it was starting to rot inside, weighed and pleased with the weight of 50 lbs.   Monday, September 7 View Page Heavy Cucumber very solid and putting on girth but seems to have stopped growing longer at 27.5 inches, two cold nights (5c) in the tunnel first night may be the cause.   Monday, September 7 View Page Perhaps the best Tomato, very solid all round, however needs to grow a lot more in the next 3 weeks.   Monday, September 7 View Page Local giant veg. show - this is my Kohl Rabi entry and a new UK record. 56.8 lbs.   Monday, September 7 View Page Strong class, two other competitors not far behind so there could be even larger ones at the Canna show in 3 weeks.   Monday, September 7 View Page Corner of the show Marque - well ventilated! Brian Marshalls Marrow 130 lbs. Baggs seed from EGVGA packet.   Saturday, September 12 View Page Need a large Onion for this weekend show/weigh in, this does not look outstanding in the tunnel but measures the heaviest.   Saturday, September 12 View Page Looks the part now lifted, showing 'as grown' so trying to leave as much root on as practical. My growing pal Joe has taken it to the show at Blyth today and it is the winner at 16lb 5oz. Pleased with this in a difficult season (high temps)   Saturday, September 12 View Page The year may have been difficult for giant veg. but our Oak Trees are laden with acorns and this tree has exceptionally large ones.   Thursday, September 24 View Page Ribbon vine Tomato has ripened before its maximum potential, hopefully I have a larger double one for this weekends CANNA weigh in.   Thursday, September 24 View Page Largest Marrow split a few days ago, you would think these thick ribs would be strong but not so. Split may have been caused by high daytime temps/cold nights (been covering overnight)   Thursday, September 24 View Page Lifted all my remaining Onions, needing four for the CANNA weigh in. The largest is heavier than the one I showed at Blyth, will wait for the official weight as grown.   Saturday, October 3 View Page Some of my giant veg. after weighing in at the Canna regional show. National results now through and I have won 8 firsts and 6 seconds. Only second with the heaviest Onion but won the three heaviest.   Saturday, October 3 View Page There is a facebook competition for the longest Leek and I had this measured formally by Medwyn the show judge - 1.22m Appears to be the longest anywhere. Measurement was from root plate to sound button (where leaf leaves the round leek barrel).   Sunday, October 18 View Page Lifted my last two late Marrows, looks large but only 123lbs, flat no depth, however sound and seeds look good.   Sunday, October 18 View Page Early germination test of Onion seed from two good heads. Very strong seedlings and almost 100% Will grow some on and make another sowing in perhaps 6 weeks.   Monday, November 23 View Page Moved my early onions out of 24hr into heated greenhouse with lights on 8.75 hrs during the day. 9 potted up into 9 inch pots filled with Coir, remainder in 5 inch.   Monday, November 23 View Page Second sowing Onions have germinated in my propagator and now moved under 24hr T5 lights. Only sowed 30 of each but it looks as if most are showing, Blue and Purple marked seeds are first.   Monday, November 23 View Page Pips have also rooted and are showing good shoots under 24 hr lighting.   Wednesday, December 16 View Page Finally harvested my last Tomato and surprised how large/heavy it has turned out, 6.3 lbs. Very sound/solid despite the plant looking sick from recent light frosts.   Wednesday, December 16 View Page Underneath view, tried to measure it 3 ways - 25.6 inches x 17.6 x 24.4, seem to have lost the formula to calc. weight from these measurements, but its heavy so must be dense.   Wednesday, December 16 View Page 1st sowing Onions growing well now, all in 7 inch pots, tried potting one on into 9 inch today but not really ready, 9 leaves.   Wednesday, December 16 View Page 2nd sowing Onions, just moved 12 of the largest into 4 inch with their first supports.