Giants

I received an envelope in the post this week from my old mate Dan it contained some seeds for giant veg in particular Swedes and carrots these have now been sown and we will see what happens He also included a seed from a 170lb marrow which will be sown later on I was tickled by the note that was included in the envelope, what sprung to mind was that there is many a true word spoken in jest also the word mediocre sprung to mind.I have decided to share it with you see below.

I have also got another experiment under way which started last year when I ended up with some Vento plants that did not get planted out  these were uprooted and left to dry thus creating Vento setts I planted these up about a month ago and hey presto they are now sprouting both roots and green tops.If this works I will have Vento much earlier thus giving them more time to ripen.

My greyhound cabbages are through these are just for table use as I prefer them for eating to the round hard varieties such as Kilaton.I do grow Kilaton for showing and also because of its club root resistance as my land is full of the disease and no easy way to get rid of it.

  

Can't believe it - first Whitney Houston, now that bloke from Steps...

Can't believe it - first Whitney Houston, now that bloke from Steps...

Busy Busy day

I spent all day today on the garden as the weather has been milder.Quite a few tasks were undertaken
I managed get all Dave Metcalfes Pendle leeks re potted and colared up with extra support for the flags at they get increasingly longer.Below are a few pictures showing how I do it with a brief description below each

First take off the old collar then remove any dead outer leaves

I replaced the 4" collars with 6" ones today and use 15mm pipe lagging as the collar . I push a small garden cane through the wall of the lagging trying to keep it as straight as possible

Next I gently ease the lagging apart and feed the leek plant through the opening till it is inside 

next I push the cane down in to the compost to the bottom of the pot ,I then get a smaller piece of lagging about 1/2" and feed this on to the top of the cane. at the same time opening it and feeding the flags inside,this is purely to support the flags 

Finished item

I also managed to move another ton of sand in to the parsnip box,I still think I will need another ton to fill it hope it is worth the effort. While I was potting the leeks Chris The Gardner called with news that our valentines date with Sherie Plumb was cancelled The first time in my life I have been stood up,never mind I will just carry on growing my spuds using the same method as last year.Whil on the subject of spuds I started to chit mine today wich involves placing them in trays or egg boxes with the rose end up that is the end with most eyes on it and is the opposite end to where the tuber was attached to its parent plant.The said potatoes are now in the poly tunnel with frost protection enabled and will stay there till the risk of frost has passed and they can be planted out.

Maxine Blue Belle Cassablanca Amoure Purple eyed Seedling  Nadine Sherine 

YA BUY ONE AND YA GETONE FREE I SAY YA BUY ONE YA GET ONE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I received my second lot of JBA Spuds the only thing is I only ordered one lot it's not often you get anything free from a Scotsman but give Iain his due when I informed him of the mistake he said keep them and even suggested I give some to Smithy but I have decided not to waste them.I shall however be taking some with me to the talk that I am giving in March and hopefully promoting JBA at the same time.I am also looking forward to the talk at our local DA. in Leeds by Sherie Plumb. this is  next Tuesday I hope to gain a few tips to boot.

Back to Blighty

Friday night we got back from Tenerife to the cold spell that is currently gripping the UK, and Saturday we were treated to 2" of snow,

The van is now back on the road and running well fingers crossed it will stay that way. The Leeks and onions are coming on nicely and mine should need a longer collar in a weeks time Daves should also now take a 6" collar and a bigger pot.

 My JBA potatoes arrived while i was away and I will be starting to chit them this week.

 While i was in Tenerife I witnessed the way they protect their banana crops with a large cage it gave me food for thought and I shall be endeavouring to build my own over part of the plot for brassicas, this should enable me to protect cabbages and caulis from airborne predators, as peviously this has been a problem.when I have netted them  at ground level as it has restricted the access to check the crop and has allowed slugs to do damage them, this year I intend co change the situation by building said cage enabling me to walk in to inspect the crop.

 I also purchased some Onion seeds while on the island and if the picture on the packet is anything to go by they should be a great shape and colour for the 250g class.

 I will be sowing them this weekend and only time will tell. As spring is just round the corner I will be sowing pointed cabbage and celery in the next week or so more on this as I perform the tasks