25th October, 2010

There have been some glorious sunny days of late but this has been tempered by the first sharp frosts. The freezing temperatures should improve the flavour of the winter veg. So I have harvested the first of the parsnips. The one I dug up had a nice neck but the root was split which I attribute to the clay soil. I think the root expanded within the loo roll but didn't go downwards much. More compost needed to improve soil structure.

I also tried some young Brussels sprouts which were also very nice.

Other harvests: beetroot, Swiss chard, spring onions, raspberries, sweet potato, tomatoes, green peppers, last of the aubergines, chillies.

The sweet potato bucket was emptied finally. Not a good yield. I probably anticipated this and won't try again, I think I am too far north to get a long enough growing season.



I also uncovered the celery growing inside the Pringles tubes. One or two will provide a few edible stems but again I'm unlikely to try this again. But never say never.



My Thompson and Morgan seeds arrived so I have sowed 30 broad beans (Claudia Aquadulce) in individual pots which are now in the greenhouse.

I also planted out the overwintering onions (Thompson and Morgan first early) which I grew last year with good results.

I've started collecting leaves, always a worthwhile activity.