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128 Entries.
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Saturday, January 2
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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.
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Saturday, January 2
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These are now out of my cabinet and standing on a heated mat in a larger enclosed area of the greenhouse
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Saturday, January 2
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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)
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Monday, February 8
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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.
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Monday, February 8
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Trying to grow another 'longest Leek' this season, very slow from seed but they are now looking like plants and have fitted first collars.
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Sunday, February 21
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A little yellowing of the older leaves, dying off too early, not sure of the problem so far unless too wet.
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Sunday, February 21
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Started my Parsnips after chitting, Transplanted Carrot seedlings, all under T5 light on 10.5 hrs.
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Sunday, February 21
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Spare Onions with early Red Cabbage plants, hardening these off now. Weather turned mild & wet and expected to last for another week or so.
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Sunday, February 21
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Potted up early Beetroot in my LG under T5 light on 10.5 hrs.
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Sunday, March 7
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Beetroot growing faster now, perhaps too early with danger of them running to seed later.
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Sunday, March 7
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Still waiting on the Onions to fill their 18 litre pots, perhaps start planting in my tunnels at the weekend.
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Sunday, March 7
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First Swede sowing poor, but second has germinated better and now needs pricking out.
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Sunday, March 7
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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.
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Sunday, March 7
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Made a small sowing of Broad Beans, mainly for eating but will see how this variety performs as a possible show entry.
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Sunday, March 7
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Cleared my veg patch and weighed the largest still sound Kohl Rabi 55lbs. Not bad considering it has survived the winter frosts.
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Monday, March 8
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Parsnips have germinated and look strong, if a little late this year. Carrots growing well under daylight supplementary T5 light.
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Monday, March 8
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Longest Leek competition plants are now out of my highest tubes, will have to form extensions while still in their small pots.
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Sunday, March 21
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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.
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Sunday, March 21
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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.
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Sunday, March 21
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Planted a very large Red Cabbage into cold raised bed in covered frame, difficult to handle/plant from its 11 inch pot.
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Thursday, April 1
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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.
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Thursday, April 1
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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.
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Thursday, April 1
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Also planted two Beetroot in same frame, trying them in 90 litre pots of a JI type compost.
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Thursday, April 1
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This is by far the largest Onion of my earlier planted ones - always the largest while in greenhouse over winter.
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Thursday, April 1
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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.
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Friday, April 2
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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.
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Monday, April 5
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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.
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Wednesday, April 7
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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.
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Wednesday, April 14
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30 ton of fresh manure delivered, will leave 18 months to rot down before useing.
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Saturday, April 24
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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.
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Saturday, April 24
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Todays Onion photo shows even more leaf tipping, weather still extreme but now thinking perhaps growing medium too dry so will water heavier.
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Monday, May 3
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Largest Onion in lot 3
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Monday, May 3
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Largest Onion lot1
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Friday, May 14
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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.
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Friday, May 14
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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.
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Monday, May 24
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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.
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Monday, May 24
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Seeding Onions all cleaned down, flower heads growing strongly. No single heads this year but happy with the double ones for seed.
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Saturday, May 29
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Planted the Aubergines today inside my cold greenhouse - weather has at last warmed up with sunshine. Most are in Coir, one in Peat (Terra)
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Sunday, May 30
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First Tomatoes started, have a later sowing just germinated.
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Sunday, May 30
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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.
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Tuesday, June 15
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First Tomatoes planted in raised bed in NG, have later sowings which need a few more days in their pots.
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Tuesday, June 15
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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.
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Tuesday, June 15
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Cucumbers all set out now, liking the sunny warm conditions. Planted all Coir growing medium.
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Tuesday, June 15
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Cantaloupe Melons planted in Coir, only growing two in Front Tunnel.
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Tuesday, June 15
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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.
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Tuesday, June 15
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Marrows out, hot and dry with little wind so no protection required.
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Tuesday, June 15
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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.
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Tuesday, June 15
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Later sowing last Cucumbers planted, seem to do better set out straight from small pots before they become root bound.
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Monday, June 21
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Taken a photo on the longest day of all the 18 kinds of giants I am growing this year. Starting with Aubergine
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Monday, June 21
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Beetroot
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Monday, June 21
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Bean - Runner
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Monday, June 21
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Bean - Broad
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Monday, June 21
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Carrot
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Monday, June 21
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Cabbage - Red
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Monday, June 21
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Cucumber
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Monday, June 21
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Kohl Rabi
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Monday, June 21
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Leek - Longest
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Monday, June 21
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Marrow
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Monday, June 21
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Melon - Cantaloupe
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Monday, June 21
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Onion
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Monday, June 21
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Parsnip
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Monday, June 21
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Potato
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Monday, June 21
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Radish
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Monday, June 21
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Swede
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Monday, June 21
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Tomato
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Monday, June 21
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Sunflower - Largest head
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Friday, July 9
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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.
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Friday, July 16
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First flower out on Aubergine plants
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Friday, July 16
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Beetroot, one on the right has run to seed recently but removing side shoots.
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Friday, July 16
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Runner Beans growing better now with best at top of canes, first flower buds showing.
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Friday, July 16
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Broad Beans ready for eating on the first row, second ones in flower. Problem with Black fly, but expected with these.
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Friday, July 16
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Carrot tops have made growth recently, this one has the broadest shoulders so hope more root below ground.
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Friday, July 16
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Red Cabbages, LH plant going backwards but other growing ok.
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Friday, July 16
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Kohl Rabi second sowing has not run to seed and is now sending out side growths which will all add weight in due course.
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Friday, July 16
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Longest Leeks seem to have reached their height limit, tops flop over support pipes n the heat.
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Friday, July 16
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Marrows starting to run now with hot sunshine, burying runners and will also cover some side shoots with soil.
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Friday, July 16
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Cantaloupe Melons, only one plant so far looks like carrying a decent fruit, will let it run over the tunnel floor.
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Friday, July 16
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Parsnips, variation in top leaf vigor, RH one very strong - lets hope it means root is also.
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Friday, July 16
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Strongest Potato top but its the bottom that matters, most are pretty fresh so far but spraying weekly to ward of blight.
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Friday, July 16
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Radish have been good so far with none run up to seed, this root is just starting to grow up above soil level,
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Friday, July 16
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Swede limp in hot sunshine but root growing very well so far, just starting to drop older leaves.
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Friday, July 16
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Early Tomato plant has a good Megabloom set, will see how it develops but may be to soon for Sept. shows.
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Friday, July 16
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Sunflower for early Sept. show has a lot of growing to do if I am to win the largest head.
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Friday, July 16
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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.
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Monday, August 2
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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.
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Monday, August 2
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Long Cucumber now at 30 inches, growing well despite the poor plant.
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Monday, August 2
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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.
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Thursday, August 5
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Large Potato plants lifting the soil, hopefully a heavy tuber underneath. Foliage looking tired.
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Thursday, August 5
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Red Cabbage disappointment, giant plant but centre has opened and may be the first sign of running to seed.
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Thursday, August 5
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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.
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Friday, August 13
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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
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Friday, August 13
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Best Onion in my outside frame, 29 inch circ. and looks like more growth left in it.
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Friday, August 13
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Carrots making enormous tops, hope their roots are as good. Some damaged by Spidermite but this one fine, trying to keep compost evenly moist.
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Friday, August 13
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Swede looking good, this is the largest but all sound at present.
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Friday, August 13
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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.
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Wednesday, August 25
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Largest Blackberries we have grown and a heavy crop as well.
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Wednesday, August 25
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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.
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Wednesday, August 25
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Finally have a Cantaloupe Melon set, has a lot of growing to do for next month's show.
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Wednesday, August 25
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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.
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Monday, August 30
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Pleased with this heavy Onion lifted for Bedlington show, a clear win at almost 7kg 'as grown'
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Thursday, September 9
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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.
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Thursday, September 9
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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.
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Thursday, September 9
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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.
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Sunday, September 12
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Visited the National Pot Leek Society show at Seaham, Winning pair of Pot Leeks well displayed.
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Sunday, September 12
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They held a new class this year for heaviest Onions, winner was Peter Morgan 14lb 4ozs. fresh green top very sound bulb.
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Sunday, September 12
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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.
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Monday, September 20
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Good heavy Onion win at Harrogate show 7.046kg (15.5lbs)
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Monday, September 20
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Pleased with the longest Runner Bean win at 87cm (34inches) best I have had for a few years.
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Monday, September 20
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My entry dwarfed buy the winners, never seen such a heavy stick of Rhubarb, almost 1kg.
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Monday, September 20
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New venue for the show this year in the grounds of Newby Hall, impressive 25 acre gardens.
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Tuesday, September 28
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World Record with heaviest Aubergine 3.12kg (6lb 14oz) at Malvern Autumn show, only beat the previous record by a few oz's
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Tuesday, September 28
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This is my first entry for the BP Tomato challenge 2.05kg (4.51lb) weighed at Malvern Autumn show.
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Tuesday, September 28
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This is my second entry - three tomatoes weighing 5.80kg (12.76lb) all similar so divided by 3 gives 4.25lb as my entry.
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Tuesday, September 28
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I had 6 other first's at the show, this is the Aubergine
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Tuesday, September 28
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Heaviest 3 Onions
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Tuesday, September 28
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Heaviest single Onion
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Tuesday, September 28
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Longest Runner Bean (34inches)
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Tuesday, September 28
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Carrot
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Tuesday, September 28
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Swede (66.4lb)
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Saturday, October 9
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Lifted remaining Onions but finding Pink root, all grown in Coir so the spores must be air Bourne, water is from the mains tap.
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Friday, October 15
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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.
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Thursday, October 21
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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.
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Friday, October 22
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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.
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Saturday, November 6
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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.
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Saturday, November 6
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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.
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Friday, November 12
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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
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Saturday, December 11
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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.
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Wednesday, December 22
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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.
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