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Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 102 Entries.
Saturday, January 1 View Page
Happy New Year everyone. Mild weather here for the last few days so taken the opportunity to pot on best Onions into 7 inch pots using Coir/Perlite, look a bit overpotted but root system good. Will leave the ones in 5 inch another 10 days.
 
Friday, January 14 View Page
Growing a few Long Leeks from seed, they have been slow under lights but a week of sunshine has helped so will soon need potting on in a day or two.
 
Friday, January 28 View Page
Been preparing another Bean trench, removed top soil/forked over heavy clay subsoil below/added well rotted manure/returned best soil. Will leave it to settle for a few months.
 
Friday, January 28 View Page
Finished potting on large Onions into 9 inch pots of Coir/perlite mix. 16no have filled up this area under lights and will soon have to open up a larger heated enclosure as winter is not over yet, days still short with little sunshine.
 
Thursday, February 10 View Page
Heavy Carrots pricked out into two part pipes. These are in my heated greenhouse under T5 light. Tap root broken so will expect them to fork early.
 
Thursday, February 10 View Page
Heavy Parsnips where chitted and then set into two part pipes, they have all come through now and will thin out to one in 10 days or so.
 
Thursday, February 17 View Page
I take part in a EGVGA seed exchange between England and Germany, received their package today in 3 days but my contribution was returned a month after posting by German customs.
 
Thursday, February 17 View Page
Potted on most of my large Onions into 11 litre pots - Coir with added Perlite. Had to open up small tunnel with heat/lighting to accommodate them. Very stormy weather at present but mild for Feb.
 
Tuesday, March 1 View Page
Potted my 4 largest Onions into 25litre White Autopots. They will have to root into the Coir growing medium for 2 weeks before the automatic watering system is turned on.
 
Tuesday, March 8 View Page
Planted out first seven Onions into LOT1, these are in Airpots filled with Coir. Heat and Light taken with them - needed as sharp frost last night.
 
Sunday, March 13 View Page
First Daffodils out in the garden - later than other local areas as bottom of garden in a frost pocket.
 
Sunday, March 13 View Page
Swede ready to pot on, last week was mild and sunny, this has brought vegetables on inside the greenhouse.
 
Tuesday, March 29 View Page
Problem with Onion leaves turning yellow and tipping, been very sunny since planting out but cold frosty nights (temp. down to 7c overnight in the tunnels) May be the sun or shock of transplanting - similar problem last year, do not seem to have learnt from it.
 
Sunday, April 3 View Page
Seem to be having all the onion problems at once - finding several with trapped leaves in the neck, Have nicked this one to hopefully allow them to grow out. Must be due to a boost in growth since planting.
 
Sunday, April 3 View Page
Aubergines and Peppers still small plants but there is no rush as they need heat. Coldest night so far this year -5c
 
Sunday, April 3 View Page
Had planted two Carrots out into a cold frame, been covering over at night but not sure how they will react to the frosts.
 
Tuesday, April 12 View Page
Very strong Cowslip plant growing in the lane grass verge, been there a few years and I have been looking after it by keeping the grass down. We used to have many of these wild flowers but this is the only one left in the lane.
 
Tuesday, April 12 View Page
Swede hardening off in cold greenhouse ready for planting out this week, weather warming up after a very frosty few weeks.
 
Tuesday, April 12 View Page
Early planted Kohl Rabi has grown well in its heated area, last year the early ones ran to seed so hope by keeping them frost free they keep sound.
 
Tuesday, April 12 View Page
Longest Leeks have been kept frost free and are now hardening off ready for the best to be planted outside.
 
Wednesday, April 13 View Page
A fortnight on and Onions have grown but still have the yellow tipping evident. Ones with trapped leaves in the neck are growing out slowly so I can plant the spares before they spoil.
 
Friday, April 22 View Page
Planted 3 spare onions out of 9 inch pots into 60litre Air Pots, added more perlite to the Coir. Plants are almost as large as the earlier ones, but of course they will take a while to establish.
 
Friday, April 22 View Page
Two large loads of farm yard Manure delivered, should last me for a few years once rotted down.
 
Friday, April 22 View Page
Broad Beans now established and showing first flowers truss - will remove these as to low down and I want a stronger plant first.
 
Friday, April 22 View Page
Mary recovering well from a Hernia operation two weeks ago, we had blanched a Rhubarb root 2 months ago and this is our second feed.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Onions average 13 inches x 9 high, two weeks behind last year but healthy and clear of thrip so far.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
New Kondor Potato plants full of virus, most thrown out and will go with a few that appear clean + my own taken from last years tubers.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Parsnip growing well outside but having to water as no rain for weeks.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Carrot the same, looks like we may have useful rain tomorrow.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Swede outside but direct into rich soil/compost so not watering yet.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Peppers/Chilli's/Aubergines and one early Cucumber in heated greenhouse cabinet.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Early Broad Beans now growing strongly, been removing first flowers to try and grow a strong bean later (will be too early for shows but will see what's possible).
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Seeding large Onions just starting to grow seed pipes. Almost a full time job cleaning off old skins/keeping clear of decay.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Early Kohl Rabi growing well, hope not too early as any late frosts may cause them to run to seed.
 
Tuesday, May 10 View Page
Started visits to other gardens in the wider area, almost two years of Covid lock down has kept us at home. This is Renishaw Hall which has 7 acres of gardens to enjoy (beautiful time of year)
 
Tuesday, May 24 View Page
Trying to grow a Butternut Squash for the first time, given 4 seeds but only managed to germinate one.
 
Tuesday, May 24 View Page
Early Broad Beans looking very strong and in full flower, will be too early for Malvern show but will see how heavy the bean pods weigh later in the summer
 
Tuesday, May 24 View Page
Planted out a few very young Broad Beans for Malvern, difficult to keep they free of disease later in the year.
 
Tuesday, May 24 View Page
Made a small sowing of my 2019 6.5lb Tomato seed, looks like all have germinated so will pot these up.
 
Friday, June 10 View Page
Found two Onions are showing seed heads - must have had a check of some kind even though I have kept them frost free.
 
Friday, June 10 View Page
Planted out first Tomatoes into Greenhouse border, only small plants but will soon establish.
 
Friday, June 10 View Page
Long Runner Beans also out into the garden, still have later ones germinating in the greenhouse
 
Friday, June 10 View Page
First Marrows also planted into garden - only want one for a local show in Sept.
 
Friday, June 10 View Page
We celebrated the Queens Platinum Jubilee with a party for our neighbours in the garden, fortunately the weather was good for the Bank Holiday
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Aubergines planted into a 4 pot Autopot gravity fed system, 25litre pots filled with Coir. Not grown Aubergines this way before.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Heavy Cucumbers planted into trays of Coir in my tunnel, expect the small plants establish quicker rather than pot on first.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Growing one Kohl Rabi in a 120 litre pot, doing ok so far but will need more watering/feeding through the summer.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Same with a Beetroot, half my outside ones have run to seed but this is ok so far.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Two Swede also in a large pot, will have the same need of water/feed.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Ditto three Carrots, these are larger than my outside ones at the moment.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Four Peppers planted into a Autopot system in another greenhouse.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
My Kondor Potatoes are looking worse, foliage full of virus, however they do have small potatoes growing.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
My one and only Butternut Squash now planted into the tunnel border soil and looks at lot better.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Cantaloupe Melon planted into a coir filled large tray container in the bottom tunnel, hot weather now so it should take off.
 
Tuesday, June 14 View Page
Large Headed Sunflowers now planted into the ground, again the hot sunshine should suit them if I can keep up with the watering.
 
Monday, June 20 View Page
A light rain shower produced a spectacular Rainbow over the garden (did not have a wide angle lenses to photo all of this full bow)
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Have been growing a few Broccoli plants for the kitchen, really large heads. Had to water almost from planting to harvest as very dry spring.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
One of my best Onion plants 24.4 x 17.4 high 17leaves. Still behind previous years but may catch up if this hot weather (31c) does not carry on to long.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Onion seed heads now in flower, not had so many bulbs come through the winter but enough heavy ones for my needs.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Broad Bean pods growing almost an inch a day in length and plants still healthy.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Runner Beans reaching for the support canes (usually the wrong one)
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Chili Pepper plants still have some growing to do.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Longest Leek plants in the tunnel, been to hot/dry for them and now have Spider mite attack, sprayed.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Radish sown and will be planted into containers in a few days.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
First Tomato sowing now established in the tunnel border, liking the hot weather.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Parsnips growing ok in my netted tunnel, cooler/damper than polytunnels.
 
Tuesday, June 21 View Page
Been given a Water Melon plant, (as if I do not have enough to grow) May be too late in the season to grow anything of size but will give it a go.
 
Monday, July 11 View Page
Heavy Carrot showing seed head (seems to be a season for seed heads) since found a second one, will cut out but it affects the final weight this early in the year.
 
Monday, July 11 View Page
Growing Broad Beans for the heaviest, cut a decent one off and weighed 93 grammes. 13 inches long but only 7 full sized beans inside. Think I have better ones growing. W/R is 106 g
 
Wednesday, July 20 View Page
Heatwave forecast so tried to black out my onion tunnel, fitted an air cooler to try and keep temp. down.
 
Wednesday, July 20 View Page
My other onion area was just fully opened and shaded but we have had two days of new UK record heat 40c+ this is the result on my best onion
 
Wednesday, July 20 View Page
Broad Beans were shaded but the heat has just cooked them, even the younger greener ones are limp.
 
Wednesday, July 20 View Page
Runner Bean foliage has been burnt by the hot wind/sun, most of the row affected.
 
Tuesday, July 26 View Page
With one of my Leeks being grow for the longest running to seed I decided to have this one measured while it was in its prime - 1414mm May have grown taller if left but it does break the current record.
 
Tuesday, July 26 View Page
Growing a Butternut Squash for the first time and this is the largest of 3 left on the plant.
 
Tuesday, July 26 View Page
My Sunflower entry for our local Clipstone show is already in flower and its over 5 weeks until they are to be measured - hope it stays sound until then.
 
Thursday, August 4 View Page
Aubergines growing far to fast with our current high temperartures, will not keep until end of Sept. how.
 
Thursday, August 4 View Page
Apple tree branches which are overloaded with fruit have been broken off with a strong wind, already lost the tops out of two plum trees which were carrying to much weight.
 
Friday, August 12 View Page
Onions suffering during another heatwave, tried to shade these in my outside frame from the constant strong sunshine. Cannot do anything about the high air temps. but shade may help to keep what little green tops they have.
 
Thursday, August 18 View Page
Heat has subsided, thank goodness. Left the onion tops almost dried out, but this one has the largest circ. bulb so thinking of showing it at the end of the month.
 
Thursday, August 18 View Page
Have another similar in the tunnel but top going fast so will hope to keep it for classes which require the tops to be cut off before weighing. All a little flat this time - not sure if do to later start or hot sunny weather.
 
Thursday, August 18 View Page
Growing large headed Sunflowers and finding they bend over with their weight/weak stems. First rain for weeks which has ponded in the upturned head adding to the bend - hope the stems do not snap.
 
Sunday, August 28 View Page
Managed to win my first heavy onion show at Bedlington, just over 15lb.
 
Sunday, August 28 View Page
2nd and 3rd heavy Onions were around 15lb grown by Steve Purvis, so I only just won, looks like there are some heavy onions around.
 
Monday, September 12 View Page
Attended the first North East Giant Veg show at Seaham. Managed several cards including a win with Kohl Rabi in a strong class ( if they grow any larger I will not be able to lift them, so perhaps not one to grow next year)
 
Monday, September 12 View Page
Could only manage 3rd in the Heaviest Onion class, well won by Paul Rochester.
 
Monday, September 19 View Page
Harrogate show, could only manage a close 2nd with my heaviest Onion and the 3 heaviest Onions
 
Monday, September 19 View Page
Won the heaviest Potato (been a poor growing year for potatoes - too hot)
 
Wednesday, September 28 View Page
Malvern show Giant Veg, strong competition in all classes (you would not think it has been a difficult growing season) pleased to retain my W/R Aubergine title with 3.362kg
 
Wednesday, September 28 View Page
Good win in the Potato class, this has been a winner at 3 shows now.
 
Wednesday, September 28 View Page
Heaviest Cucumber, not the heaviest I have grown but a clear winner.
 
Wednesday, September 28 View Page
Pleased with the weight of the Kohl Rabi, almost 78lbs, had a long growing season so this helped.
 
Thursday, September 29 View Page
Tomatoes have been poor for me this year no cards, blossom end rot early, think it was the heat. However the winner was around 5.5lbs so different weather in some parts of the UK
 
Thursday, September 29 View Page
Onion classes were strong, not well displayed as short of space but most were around 14 - 16lb
 
Friday, September 30 View Page
Only grew one Butternut Squash, left 3 on all about the same but this is the heaviest 29+ lbs. There was a 60lb one at Malvern show which appeared to be a different type.
 
Thursday, October 20 View Page
Made trial sowing of last years Onion seed, 22 out of 25 after 9 days in propagator so happy with this.
 
Thursday, October 20 View Page
Long Chillies have been very prolific, think I should have thinned them more to obtain a long one.
 
Thursday, October 20 View Page
Late Tomatoes have set fully not like the poor sets during the summer, should be ok for seed.
 
Sunday, November 13 View Page
Almost finished emptying the Coir from my growing pots/trays, before bagging up for reuse next year I have tried to remove the larger roots by forking through as the coir dries.
 
Sunday, November 13 View Page
Started my large Onions 1st Nov. pricked the seedlings out today into Lev. F2 + Perlite. All under T5 lights on 24/7
 
Thursday, December 15 View Page
-8c this morning and these self sown Broad Beans do not look happy. Had over a week of sub zero temps. unusual for mid December here.
 
Wednesday, December 21 View Page
Moved my first sowing Onions into greenhouse cabinet after potting the best on into 7 inch pots. These are on daylength lighting now and this will be extended up until April. They have had 5.5 weeks 24 hr. lighting since germination
 

 

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