Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 128 Entries. Saturday, January 2 View Page Happy New Year to all giant vegetable growers - lets hope 2021 is a healthier year and we can all meet up again at our shows. Potted up my early Onions into 9 inch pots, most in Coir with a few in Peat (Terra) Supplementary lighting now on 9.75 hrs.   Saturday, January 2 View Page These are now out of my cabinet and standing on a heated mat in a larger enclosed area of the greenhouse   Saturday, January 2 View Page This has allowed more space in my cabinet for the later Onions and have now potted all of them into 5 inch pots, again mainly Coir with a few in Peat (Terra)   Monday, February 8 View Page Potted on 1st Onion sowing plants into 18litre square pots, they will be difficult to move into their final growing areas with such a large root ball but they are in COIR so if I let them dry a little first hopefully they will be lighter. Do not expect to be moving them until mid/end March.   Monday, February 8 View Page Trying to grow another 'longest Leek' this season, very slow from seed but they are now looking like plants and have fitted first collars.   Sunday, February 21 View Page A little yellowing of the older leaves, dying off too early, not sure of the problem so far unless too wet.   Sunday, February 21 View Page Started my Parsnips after chitting, Transplanted Carrot seedlings, all under T5 light on 10.5 hrs.   Sunday, February 21 View Page Spare Onions with early Red Cabbage plants, hardening these off now. Weather turned mild & wet and expected to last for another week or so.   Sunday, February 21 View Page Potted up early Beetroot in my LG under T5 light on 10.5 hrs.   Sunday, March 7 View Page Beetroot growing faster now, perhaps too early with danger of them running to seed later.   Sunday, March 7 View Page Still waiting on the Onions to fill their 18 litre pots, perhaps start planting in my tunnels at the weekend.   Sunday, March 7 View Page First Swede sowing poor, but second has germinated better and now needs pricking out.   Sunday, March 7 View Page Red Cabbage and Kohl Rabi growing strongly, difficult to pot on further so they will have to wait until I can plant outside next month.   Sunday, March 7 View Page Made a small sowing of Broad Beans, mainly for eating but will see how this variety performs as a possible show entry.   Sunday, March 7 View Page Cleared my veg patch and weighed the largest still sound Kohl Rabi 55lbs. Not bad considering it has survived the winter frosts.   Monday, March 8 View Page Parsnips have germinated and look strong, if a little late this year. Carrots growing well under daylight supplementary T5 light.   Monday, March 8 View Page Longest Leek competition plants are now out of my highest tubes, will have to form extensions while still in their small pots.   Sunday, March 21 View Page Best early Onions planted into heated/lighted tunnel a week ago, 9 in Coir 1 in Terra (peat) Weather still poor - hardly seen the sun this month.   Sunday, March 21 View Page Planted later Onions into home made frame, most in Airpots filled with Coir. have some supplementary lighting/heating so that they do not get a check coming straight from the greenhouse.   Sunday, March 21 View Page Planted a very large Red Cabbage into cold raised bed in covered frame, difficult to handle/plant from its 11 inch pot.   Thursday, April 1 View Page Only a few weeks since planting and one of the best Onions has trapped leaves in the neck, have cut the top of the neck open with the hope that the leaves will grow out. If not will have to replant with a spare.   Thursday, April 1 View Page Planted up my outside unheated trench frame with last Onions, It was very hot last week in the greenhouse so had to move them, turned cold and grey again now lol.   Thursday, April 1 View Page Also planted two Beetroot in same frame, trying them in 90 litre pots of a JI type compost.   Thursday, April 1 View Page This is by far the largest Onion of my earlier planted ones - always the largest while in greenhouse over winter.   Thursday, April 1 View Page The second largest in LOT1 may be catching up. In this tunnel they seem to have more yellow leaf tipping, not sure why, but trying to limit watering and give smaller quantities more often on half of them.   Friday, April 2 View Page Planted out Red Cabbage into Netted tunnel as pots full of root, cold again now but placed plastic barrels over each to stop cold winds. Ground covered with black fabric to hopefully allow ground to warm up and stop weed growth.   Monday, April 5 View Page Onions only been planted a few weeks and now one has trapped leaves in the neck, cut top of neck open to allow leaves to hopefully grow out.   Wednesday, April 7 View Page Set up a four station Autopot self watering system for these second sowing 14/11 Onions, not used this before and had teething problems with the valves not cutting off - think it all sorted now.   Wednesday, April 14 View Page 30 ton of fresh manure delivered, will leave 18 months to rot down before useing.   Saturday, April 24 View Page Middle of April and Onion leaf tipping has increased, we are having extreme temp ranges/strong sunshine/low humidity so not sure what the cause is.   Saturday, April 24 View Page Todays Onion photo shows even more leaf tipping, weather still extreme but now thinking perhaps growing medium too dry so will water heavier.   Monday, May 3 View Page Largest Onion in lot 3   Monday, May 3 View Page Largest Onion lot1   Friday, May 14 View Page Potato plants in 9 inch pots all planted into small raised bed in outside frame, side lights only on at present to stop the cold wind - will replace the roof sheets in a few weeks.   Friday, May 14 View Page Carrots also now planted into my netted tunnel, they are in half barrels filled with some fresh sand/compost, think last year they rotted due to inadequate drainage.   Monday, May 24 View Page Having problems again with leaves trapped in their necks, had one a month or so ago which has now grown out of it, so hope the new ones do the same now I have cut the necks open slightly. Always your largest ones lol.   Monday, May 24 View Page Seeding Onions all cleaned down, flower heads growing strongly. No single heads this year but happy with the double ones for seed.   Saturday, May 29 View Page Planted the Aubergines today inside my cold greenhouse - weather has at last warmed up with sunshine. Most are in Coir, one in Peat (Terra)   Sunday, May 30 View Page First Tomatoes started, have a later sowing just germinated.   Sunday, May 30 View Page Prepared my tunnel for them, did not change the soil but added base fertilizer and rotavated in well. Laid ground cover over seep hoses, fitted supports and looking the plant the early ones in a week.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page First Tomatoes planted in raised bed in NG, have later sowings which need a few more days in their pots.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page Broad Beans have grown quickly with the warm weather, first row in full flower and second sowing soon will be. Having to water as no rain so far in June.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page Cucumbers all set out now, liking the sunny warm conditions. Planted all Coir growing medium.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page Cantaloupe Melons planted in Coir, only growing two in Front Tunnel.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page Runner Beans planted in front garden, may have spaced the canes to close together - will have to really cordon the plants as they climb up.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page Marrows out, hot and dry with little wind so no protection required.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page Have four Onions growing in an Autopot system. 'Auto watering on a gravity system' I am liking the low maintenance and Onions seem to be happy so far.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page Later sowing last Cucumbers planted, seem to do better set out straight from small pots before they become root bound.   Monday, June 21 View Page Taken a photo on the longest day of all the 18 kinds of giants I am growing this year. Starting with Aubergine   Monday, June 21 View Page Beetroot   Monday, June 21 View Page Bean - Runner   Monday, June 21 View Page Bean - Broad   Monday, June 21 View Page Carrot   Monday, June 21 View Page Cabbage - Red   Monday, June 21 View Page Cucumber   Monday, June 21 View Page Kohl Rabi   Monday, June 21 View Page Leek - Longest   Monday, June 21 View Page Marrow   Monday, June 21 View Page Melon - Cantaloupe   Monday, June 21 View Page Onion   Monday, June 21 View Page Parsnip   Monday, June 21 View Page Potato   Monday, June 21 View Page Radish   Monday, June 21 View Page Swede   Monday, June 21 View Page Tomato   Monday, June 21 View Page Sunflower - Largest head   Friday, July 9 View Page Special long Cucumber I was given does look to be growing an extra long fruit (if the curved flower end can straighten up) Plant leaves look sick but new growth ok so far.   Friday, July 16 View Page First flower out on Aubergine plants   Friday, July 16 View Page Beetroot, one on the right has run to seed recently but removing side shoots.   Friday, July 16 View Page Runner Beans growing better now with best at top of canes, first flower buds showing.   Friday, July 16 View Page Broad Beans ready for eating on the first row, second ones in flower. Problem with Black fly, but expected with these.   Friday, July 16 View Page Carrot tops have made growth recently, this one has the broadest shoulders so hope more root below ground.   Friday, July 16 View Page Red Cabbages, LH plant going backwards but other growing ok.   Friday, July 16 View Page Kohl Rabi second sowing has not run to seed and is now sending out side growths which will all add weight in due course.   Friday, July 16 View Page Longest Leeks seem to have reached their height limit, tops flop over support pipes n the heat.   Friday, July 16 View Page Marrows starting to run now with hot sunshine, burying runners and will also cover some side shoots with soil.   Friday, July 16 View Page Cantaloupe Melons, only one plant so far looks like carrying a decent fruit, will let it run over the tunnel floor.   Friday, July 16 View Page Parsnips, variation in top leaf vigor, RH one very strong - lets hope it means root is also.   Friday, July 16 View Page Strongest Potato top but its the bottom that matters, most are pretty fresh so far but spraying weekly to ward of blight.   Friday, July 16 View Page Radish have been good so far with none run up to seed, this root is just starting to grow up above soil level,   Friday, July 16 View Page Swede limp in hot sunshine but root growing very well so far, just starting to drop older leaves.   Friday, July 16 View Page Early Tomato plant has a good Megabloom set, will see how it develops but may be to soon for Sept. shows.   Friday, July 16 View Page Sunflower for early Sept. show has a lot of growing to do if I am to win the largest head.   Friday, July 16 View Page Onion tops have been devastated by Thrip, taking all the green out of them, been using predators but I have had to start spraying with insecticide.   Monday, August 2 View Page Best Onion in my little tunnel, this is the only one to survive the heat and Thrip damage. just under 30 inches circ. and still has a reasonable top.   Monday, August 2 View Page Long Cucumber now at 30 inches, growing well despite the poor plant.   Monday, August 2 View Page Aubergine growing well, could not obtain a set of the first flowers last year, now they have all set - may be to early for late Sept. show.   Thursday, August 5 View Page Large Potato plants lifting the soil, hopefully a heavy tuber underneath. Foliage looking tired.   Thursday, August 5 View Page Red Cabbage disappointment, giant plant but centre has opened and may be the first sign of running to seed.   Thursday, August 5 View Page Marrows set, at least two on at present but will reduce to the most vigorous in a few weeks, soil dry again but rain forecast this weekend.   Friday, August 13 View Page Spare Onions left in 9 inch pots of Coir, had to water them with Canna A & B twice a day at times. Half went to seed but the largest is now 27 inch circ. better than some I planted out lol   Friday, August 13 View Page Best Onion in my outside frame, 29 inch circ. and looks like more growth left in it.   Friday, August 13 View Page Carrots making enormous tops, hope their roots are as good. Some damaged by Spidermite but this one fine, trying to keep compost evenly moist.   Friday, August 13 View Page Swede looking good, this is the largest but all sound at present.   Friday, August 13 View Page Long Beans growing well now after recent rains, this is the longest at 27 inches but expect it to put on a few more inches.   Wednesday, August 25 View Page Largest Blackberries we have grown and a heavy crop as well.   Wednesday, August 25 View Page Need to find a heavy Onion 'as grown' for this weekends show, tops going over fast now in the tunnel. Not much different in my outside frames but two are contenders for the show.   Wednesday, August 25 View Page Finally have a Cantaloupe Melon set, has a lot of growing to do for next month's show.   Wednesday, August 25 View Page First Marrow set but do not like the way it has failed to fill out the flower end, perhaps a pollination problem. Have a show in 2 weeks so if sound it may be my entry.   Monday, August 30 View Page Pleased with this heavy Onion lifted for Bedlington show, a clear win at almost 7kg 'as grown'   Thursday, September 9 View Page Auto pots now disconnected from water/feed but finding Coir growing medium still too wet. Need to lift one for weekend show 'as grown' but little green top left after an exceptionally hot dry week.   Thursday, September 9 View Page Two others in contention, growing in Coir but in Airpots, little to choose between them, cannot lift them all as still two main shows to come.   Thursday, September 9 View Page Best Marrow at present, no measurable growth now and the hot/dry week has finished the leaf foliage, I have been fighting Mildew for weeks but it will now take over. Runner beans at the side still healthy and long beans growing slowly. Watering Marrows and Beans every evening as we have not had any rain for over a month.   Sunday, September 12 View Page Visited the National Pot Leek Society show at Seaham, Winning pair of Pot Leeks well displayed.   Sunday, September 12 View Page They held a new class this year for heaviest Onions, winner was Peter Morgan 14lb 4ozs. fresh green top very sound bulb.   Sunday, September 12 View Page New arch which I formed in the winter now covered with flowers, My wife Mary has not been well and is waiting on an operation, hope it is only a few months away.   Monday, September 20 View Page Good heavy Onion win at Harrogate show 7.046kg (15.5lbs)   Monday, September 20 View Page Pleased with the longest Runner Bean win at 87cm (34inches) best I have had for a few years.   Monday, September 20 View Page My entry dwarfed buy the winners, never seen such a heavy stick of Rhubarb, almost 1kg.   Monday, September 20 View Page New venue for the show this year in the grounds of Newby Hall, impressive 25 acre gardens.   Tuesday, September 28 View Page World Record with heaviest Aubergine 3.12kg (6lb 14oz) at Malvern Autumn show, only beat the previous record by a few oz's   Tuesday, September 28 View Page This is my first entry for the BP Tomato challenge 2.05kg (4.51lb) weighed at Malvern Autumn show.   Tuesday, September 28 View Page This is my second entry - three tomatoes weighing 5.80kg (12.76lb) all similar so divided by 3 gives 4.25lb as my entry.   Tuesday, September 28 View Page I had 6 other first's at the show, this is the Aubergine   Tuesday, September 28 View Page Heaviest 3 Onions   Tuesday, September 28 View Page Heaviest single Onion   Tuesday, September 28 View Page Longest Runner Bean (34inches)   Tuesday, September 28 View Page Carrot   Tuesday, September 28 View Page Swede (66.4lb)   Saturday, October 9 View Page Lifted remaining Onions but finding Pink root, all grown in Coir so the spores must be air Bourne, water is from the mains tap.   Friday, October 15 View Page Emptied all my Onion growing 'Air-pots' and now spraying them with a disinfectant before storing away for the winter. I will use new Coir in them next spring.   Thursday, October 21 View Page Trenched across my field garden and half filled with cut down greenery/weeds/old veg. added rotted manure to settle over the winter. May grow Beans in this area next summer.   Friday, October 22 View Page Dug out a shallow trench for next years Runner Bean plants. Will use it over winter as a compost bin for our kitchen waste before topping up with topsoil in the spring.   Saturday, November 6 View Page Still one Aubergine growing, almost as large as my W/R, however we had a frost this week so season at an end. Not found many seeds in the ones I have opened.   Saturday, November 6 View Page Last large Tomato, may be as heavy as any I have shown this year. Been a poor year for giant Tomatoes in this part of the world - may have been the cool/grey August weather.   Friday, November 12 View Page Onions sown Nov. 1st in heated propagator, now well up and ready to prick out into 2.5 inch pots of Lev. F2, all under T5 lights 24/7   Saturday, December 11 View Page Onions have been under 24hr lighting now for 5 weeks so will soon be moving them from the garage cabinet into the greenhouse. I can see a difference in growth with the various seeds. Will only move the best and at the same time pot them on into 5 inch square.   Wednesday, December 22 View Page Onions now moved out of 24/7 lighting into my greenhouse with 10hr lighting during the day. 5 inch square pots (1litre) coir. Best have 6 leaves.