Tuesday 26th January 2010 - weather: cold but bright

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here we are again, the start of yet another new year, and the start of another growing year. I was a touch slack last year and didn't really post as much as I could have. I have my excuses, and 2009 wasn't filled with a lot of joy so I am putting that behind me and I am looking forward to getting more out of my allotment than ever before, and I don't just mean fruit and veggies, but I plan to get number one son up there more and have some quality family time there.

I have now brought my seed spuds for this year, but they are downstairs in the conservatory, and I can't remember the varieties! I do have International Kidney though, and Kestrel, both firm family faves. I also have plenty of seeds for the coming year, but haven't started sowing yet. I will start the toms and peppers of in the next couple of weeks, but I won't start anything major until mid to late March.

I did grab the chance today to get to the plot for a quick survey and see if there was anything worth picking, and I was delighted to be able to dig a huge bunch of perfect carrots, a couple of parsnips, some beetroot and a handful of jerusalem artichokes. As for greens, I pulled a stalk of sprouts, huge they are, a savoy cabbage and 2 lovely heads of curly kale. Very very pleased, and very pleased with how the plot looks overall. Work permitting, I will be able to get up there for a day next week and have a bit of a spring clean. I have some piccies to post, but, blah blah blah, the camera is downstairs and I am way to lazy to go fetch it. :)

The only other gardening news to report is the joyous news of tropical fruit. Yes, I have a new pineapple growing. It has been on the plant since mid November and is getting bigger and bigger. No idea when it will be ready, but if the last one is anything to go by, I will be able to smell that it is ripe. Yum.

As promised, photos of this weeks harvest. The roots are still covered in mud as it will keep them fresher longer, they will washed as and when I need them.