Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 130 Entries. Saturday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year to all giant vegetable growers, only leeks and onions started so far for 2011, onions now have 6 true leaves and were removed from 24hr lighting 3 days ago - now on 9.5hrs supplementary during the day. Some leaf tipping, growth to near the new lights.   Saturday, January 8 View Page Leek line up, 1st-yorkshire giant 'pot', 2nd-yorkshire green 'pot', 3rd-pendal 'long' Difficult to tell giant/green apart at this early stage, but the giant has a different habit and longer flags(leaves) all have 5flags now.   Thursday, January 20 View Page First sunshine of the year, my large onions now have their 8th leaf and are under 10hr supplementary lighting in the greenhouse. Giant Cabbage just pricked out, late, but weather has been to severe to overwinter any this time.   Friday, February 11 View Page While we have a mild spell I have planted out some Broad Beans, not overwintered this year but raised from seed in the heated greenhouse. We will still get some hard frosts but this cloche protection should kept them growing as they are a hardy veg.   Tuesday, February 15 View Page Started to thin out the heavy Parsnip and Carrot seedlings, growing in the warm greenhouse but being drawn up by the poor light. In the background the Leeks are flourishing being directly under the bank of grow lights.   Sunday, February 20 View Page First 10 onions planted out in last years new small tunnel, still very cold and grey, so heating and supplementary lighting needed. This one measures 150mm(6") to neck x 110mm(4.2")circ.   Monday, February 28 View Page Started to plant out in my older small tunnel, two of these onions were grown in 'Air Pots' not used them before, but supposed to encourage more finer roots so that they root away better on transplanting. We will see if there is any difference in a few months.   Tuesday, March 1 View Page Inside of the older tunnel, 10 onions in their homemade bottomless pots. 3 different compost mixes - hope one works lol.   Tuesday, March 1 View Page One of the better recently planted onions. They have alot of growing to do to catch up the competition.   Saturday, March 12 View Page Had to fit two larger fans in my recent small tunnel so that ventilation for the onions can be semi automated.   Saturday, March 12 View Page the older onion tunnel now has a free standing extract fan, manual operation at present but may wire it into a thermostate.   Saturday, March 12 View Page The third small tunnel has now been planted up with 7 onions and 3 Yorkshire Giant pot leeks, these have 11 green leaves and I am pleased with them. Space heating but no supplementary lighting, however day length and light is improving greatly now.   Sunday, March 13 View Page Having problems with last years seeding onions, very few keeping sound, having to strip skins off almost every week. Some are down to to central growing core (candled), and still have half of them to restart growth.   Monday, March 14 View Page Cabbage potted up today into 250mm(10") using JIsoil compost. Should stand in these until I can plant outside in the spring.   Monday, March 14 View Page Swede (Rutabaga) seeds have germinated and will be pricked out in a few days. Celery was pricked out 10days ago, I find it is always slow to grow away at this stage, but if to early, the danger of running to seed before the shows increases.   Saturday, March 19 View Page Onions have now established, the featured one measures 180mm(7.2") x 180mm(7.2")13 green leaves. slightly smaller than this time last year, but started later.   Saturday, March 19 View Page Growing Kondor potato for the heavy class, new seed set up to 'chit'   Tuesday, March 22 View Page Early carrots set into large barrels in Dutch light greenhouse, no heating but will cover with fleece at night. Mild today but frost -5c only 3days ago.   Tuesday, March 22 View Page Three beetroot set out adjacent carrots and also four parsnips. Still small but they need the extra root run.   Tuesday, March 22 View Page Three more Yorkshire Giant pot leeks planted, lovely clean plants with very long 'flags'   Tuesday, March 22 View Page As any serious grower will know there are no winning results without a lot of hard work, empting and refilling raised beds with new clean soil has to be a labour of love, lol.   Tuesday, March 29 View Page First Pink Chestnut tree buds opening, this happens at the same time (within a day or so)every year. Must be prompted by day length as weather conditions vary greatly. I hope it means spring is sprung.   Wednesday, March 30 View Page First Cabbage(Cornish Giant) planted out of 9ltr. pots into netted tunnel, soil temp 11c. Replaced cloche protection until warmer weather.   Friday, April 1 View Page Largest onion 240mm(9.5") x 197mm(7.8")high. This is also the best proportioned, most of the others are short at present, may be due to the new type of lights used early on. Found the start of Botrytis on a later setting in my other tunnel - need to ventilate and inspect more.   Monday, April 4 View Page Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - hope my giant Leeks & Onions in the tunnel are taking note, lol   Friday, April 8 View Page Early mini heatwave here, so planted four young swede seedlings direct into tunnel raised bed - will come cold next week but prepared to cover over at night.   Tuesday, April 12 View Page Wide variation now in the early onion sizes, 6.1" - 9.0" high x 9.0" - 11.0" circ. This onion is the shortest (it is never going to make anything - not sure why at present)   Tuesday, April 12 View Page - and this is the tallest (has more of a yellow tinge on the bulb than any of the others- again not sure why) Had a problem with overheating today when electric went off while away and extraction fans stopped working. It turned out to be a very sunny day.   Monday, April 18 View Page Started Cuc's and Tomato's, good germination from my '10 2.268kg (5lb) Tom. Very good dry/warm/sunny weather at the moment but need to expect further hard frost's.   Friday, April 22 View Page Still April but having to shade onion tunnels, minor heat wave, 26c outside in bright sun, 27c inside with shade and fans running - best I can achieve. Forecast cooler next week.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page Last years best onions have not kept well overwinter, now out of the barn in the cold greenhouse. Have stripped them down and hope to see seed heads growing in the next month.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page Seed potatoes are slow to produce shoots this year but now have some to take. These are potted up and will grow on in the greenhouse until risk of hard frosts have passed.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page Celery plants will have to either be potted on or planted out with some protection - frost forcast for tonight and they are probable right through into June.   Sunday, May 1 View Page Started later with the onions this season, but I am slowly catching up. 266mm(10.5")high x 374mm(14.7")circ. 19 leaves. Bulbing will be more pronounced this month so hope to be over 20" by June.   Thursday, May 5 View Page Watering Celery and all veg. outside as only 8mm(0.3inch) of rain in last 10weeks, with dry strong NE winds. April was the driest & warmest since records began and in this area the sunniest.   Friday, May 6 View Page Planted outside the first Kondor potatoes, min temp. tonight forecast to be 11c (Wed night we had -3c air frost however the wind direction has changed to the south) having to water in as still no rain.   Friday, May 6 View Page Cabbage in the open garden have grown, the half barrels used for initial protection removed today and timber supports formed. need to replace netting over.   Saturday, May 7 View Page Planted out the long Cucumbers into a cold tunnel, will have to hope the mild nights continue. Seed was from the 2nd longest last year (longest did not have any viable seed)   Saturday, May 7 View Page Swede in the tunnel have grown very quickly in the sunny conditions, which is just as well as the outside ones have suffered from the recent hard frost. It is looking as if they will be to close together - seen to underestimate their growth.   Saturday, May 7 View Page long Leeks have also grown quicker than normal, hope they last through to the late shows. Changed their collars today, now in 500mm(21") outer tubes. This is the Pendal leek and it has to be drawn up early on.   Monday, May 16 View Page Giant tomatoes planted in cold tunnel today, mild week forecast. Have 4 different strains at varies stages, planning for fruit to become ready over the Sept/Oct. show season.   Tuesday, May 17 View Page First Marrows planted outside today, only have their seed leaves so far, but as the weather is suitable thought this would be better than potting on in the greenhouse. Like pumpkins marrows do not like being root bound.   Friday, May 20 View Page This Water Melon growing fine, seems to be likeing the humidity/heat inside the secondary polythene tunnel. A second plant in the greenhouse is looking limp tonight, must be a root problem already.   Friday, May 20 View Page Started Radish early to try some new seed, good germination so will leave them to grow on and see if I can prevent them running up to seed.   Friday, May 20 View Page Exhibition Parsnips have started well in these metal barrels, four to each. Having to water these most nights as little rain and no prospect of any.   Friday, May 20 View Page Onion leaf found trapped in folds of previous leaf, managed to extract it and it should grow away now. If you miss giving them a close inspection every few days, this can result in problems.   Saturday, May 21 View Page Runner beans planted today, only small but again weather mild and rain forecast ? watered them in well anyway. Growing these for the longest show classes, but we can eat the rejects.   Monday, May 30 View Page Growing 20 giant veg. for the shows and as these Cauliflowers are the last kind to sow I thought an up date of each would be a helpful record. It is also a wet day (first for months, perhaps up to 12mm (0.5")) At the end I have included 2 out of the 5 exhibition veg. I am also growing (you can see why it is a full time retirement job. lol)   Monday, May 30 View Page Cantoloupe Melons are late, Obtained some new seed but germination poor, only 1 plant any good so eventually had to sow my own seeds, fortunately they were o.k. but it has set me back.   Monday, May 30 View Page Long Roots are a struggle this year, had to resow Beetroot and Carrots, only the Parsnips have grown away. Blamed the cold weather at the start/strong sun/compost? Still time to grow a good entry I hope.   Monday, May 30 View Page Lost one Water Melon plant but others growing away, first male flowers but no female yet, need a stronger plant anyway before pollinating.   Monday, May 30 View Page Late Tomatoes planted last week, in half barrels inside the leek and swede tunnel. Compost changed, as this area grew my 2.268Kg (5lb) fruit last year.   Monday, May 30 View Page Young Marrows have been buffeted by strong winds since planting. Covered them at night against low temps. but damage done through the days. Not sure it was the right decision to plant out so small.   Monday, May 30 View Page Long Beans have also suffered from the wind however almost into June so gales should no longer be the problem.   Monday, May 30 View Page While the Beetroot is growing well it has been attacked by the leaf minor grub. Feel the damage is more unsightly than serious.   Monday, May 30 View Page Of the four carrots being grow in my large greenhouse two have been atacked by Carrot Willow Aphid, this is the worst plant and I do not think it will recover even though I have now sprayed (to late) They always go for your best plant,lol.   Monday, May 30 View Page Celery has survived cold nights and lack of rain only to be disturbed by moles. Driest spring on record and having to water all veg. regularly - this attracts the moles. Will have to try and find their run to trap them.   Monday, May 30 View Page Parsnips are making a healthy top, lets hope the roots are also.   Monday, May 30 View Page Potato growth looks strong and virus free, started to support the haulms (tops) These are in a partly enclosed frame but the rest are in the open garden. Last years world record one came from the frame.   Monday, May 30 View Page Radish outside have liked the sunny weather, but I find do not do well in cool wet conditions. Treating these as first reserve.   Monday, May 30 View Page Field Pumpkin have been protected from the worst of the winds by plastic half barrels. Perhaps a bit late, depends on the summer.   Monday, May 30 View Page Cabbage are covered by Enviromesh which keeps them free of most pests and breaks the wind, however on small tunnels I find it sheds most of the rain so you still need to water.   Monday, May 30 View Page Long Cucumbers are growing strongly, keeping the tunnel closed when cold or windy. started to tie them onto support rails.   Monday, May 30 View Page Pot Leeks are the best I have had at this time, Predators are keeping them free of thrips and spider mite - will see how they cope when we have a heatwave. The plants clearly enjoy sunny weather if temps can be controlled.   Monday, May 30 View Page Swede in the tunnel are to close together. I should have planted 3 not 4 in this raised bed. Minor cracks so far in the root have healed themselves but found some deeper ones today which may need attention if I am to stop rot setting in.   Monday, May 30 View Page I am planning to post a picture of my onions at the start of each month so for now this is a view of my exhibition long Leeks. It shows the variation in growth by the use of different composts. This raised bed was completely emptied in the winter, a divider formed across the centre and then refilled with 2 different soils. Clearly at present the leeks on the right are growing stronger. Time will tell.   Monday, May 30 View Page Exhibition short carrots (Sweet Candle) sown on the 10th of May have germinated well with daily light watering as we have had no rain since, until today. They will be covered with Enviromesh now.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Onion has grown steadily through May and is now 385mm(15.2")high x 530mm(20.9)circ. 22 green leaves. 150mm circ. gain last month, would like to think it will repeat this in June. Hope we do not have to many heatwave temps.   Monday, June 6 View Page No sooner than I mention heatwave's and we have clear blue sky's and hot sun all day. Pulled up shade cloth on my newest onion tunnel, it looks like a sail with the wind behind, lets hope I can keep it in place.   Monday, June 6 View Page Early problem with a Swede going rotten (not a pretty site) removing it has partly solved the overcrowding situation. It was the largest one of course.   Monday, June 6 View Page Lost another Watermelon, this was a larger plant growing well until limp one evening. I had two plants side by side in the same compost and the other looks o.k. I have always found them difficult to water correctly- overwatering may be the problem with this?   Friday, June 10 View Page These are the Broad Beans which I planted out and photographed on the 11th Feb. They have certainly grown but it seems to have been a long 6months from seed sowing to first picking today. We have a new cat to patrol the garden, but at present prefers to be in the house,lol.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Marrows are slow to run, supporting them with canes to stop wind rock. It has been cold nights/windy/dry-should have given them some protection, but ideal weather when planted out.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Cucumbers growing well now and first fruits in flower, you can see at this stage which are likely to grow the longest. Plenty of time to set another on these plants if necessary.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Watermelon fruit set o.k. about 100mm(4") long and good shape, hope I can keep the plant healthy. This is the earliest I have managed to set one.   Thursday, June 23 View Page First flowers open on early giant Tomatoes, no mega blooms yet but this is a double and I have tried to pollinate it using a soft paint brush. Still removing flower trusses from later plants.   Friday, July 1 View Page Onion still healthy and has grown to 477mm(18.8") x 660mm(26")circ. 21 green leaves. 130mm gain during June. Weather has been relatively cool with only two very hot days last weekend, lets hope it continues like this. Have three larger onions which are looking good.   Friday, July 1 View Page Runner beans have just reached top of canes and marrows are starting to run. weather has not been kind to them - very dry still and windy, 31c on Monday followed by two very cold nights of 4c. I am spending all evenings watering.   Friday, July 1 View Page Fortunate to live and grow in a small rural village, little developed in my lifetime but the small working farms and orchards have been replaced by larger mechanised, mainly cereal operations. The smallholdings have been turned into luxury commuter/retirement homes.   Sunday, July 10 View Page Giant Tomatoes are not setting properly, removing the worst ones. Think the weather to blame-hot/dry days, cold nights even now, single figures in the tunnel and almost mid July. However there is still plenty of time to set another truss.   Sunday, July 10 View Page First long Runner Bean flowers out, have been removing all lower ones as they need height to hang down straight clear of the soil. Not sure how these will set as it remains very dry in this area having missed all the showers and longer spells of rain-yet again.   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Cabbage have grown more tiers of leaves this year and I am pleased with them, just starting to heart up but nothing solid yet. Having to water frequently as still no significant rainfall (July is normally one of the wettest months)   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Kondor potatoes are making plenty of top foliage, removing flowers as they form, scratched around soil surface and removed one or two, hope I have left a giant one,lol   Wednesday, July 13 View Page Trying a different Japanese round Radish this year (thanks Brad) started with 5 plants, 3 have run to seed and now removed, this one is growing in my large greenhouse and the leaves are far larger than I expected-need more room in future, at least 1m x 1m. The outside one is smaller. Still no sign of a radish root above the soil.   Thursday, July 14 View Page Disease on my long Leek plants growing in the tunnel, only 3 affected so far and I have cut of the worst leaves and sprayed with a fungicide. It appears to be either Botrytis or Leaf Blotch? I would welcome any ideas, as not sure what to spray the other plants with as a preventative.   Friday, July 22 View Page Trying to grow 2 Field Pumpkin in a rather exposed area and they have not liked the cold winds/nights - hardly moved for over a month. To late to make much now.   Friday, July 22 View Page First Marrow has set and looks the right shape, 150mm(6")long. All other plants in flower so even though late may still make the early shows.   Sunday, July 31 View Page Onion now 513mm(20.2") x 721mm(28.4") with 20 greenish leaves. As it happens this is the freshest looking plant out of the 10 in the newest tunnel. Only 61mm gain last month but better than last year. Hot week to come so still early days.   Sunday, July 31 View Page First show yesterday, only 2nd with a pair of blanched Leeks but very pleased with them. Still have the foliage disease on Leeks in my tunnel(despite spraying with 3 different fungicides) but these two were grown in the large greenhouse.   Sunday, July 31 View Page Long Beans have all set on every truss from top to bottom on all plants, it is never like this, must be the weather? which has been warm by day with cold nights(down to single figures many times) but still very dry. Have been keeping the roots watered.   Friday, August 5 View Page Giant Potatoes are growing 'air potatoes' which I am removing, had this last year and clearly it must be a waste of the plants energy which should be channeled into the tubers below ground.   Friday, August 5 View Page Acquired different Marrow seed last year of a long thin variety, am growing a few plants of these alongside my own strain which grows far thicker, will try and cross a couple to see if the length with width can be obtained. The only problem is the new variety is very pale green/almost yellow, and I think they are more vunerable to failing once they mature.   Friday, August 5 View Page Removed my first giant Tomato, 3 bloom, 483mm(19")circ, 1.02kg(2.25lb) Far to early for the shows, expected it to keep growing but the recent hot/sunny weather seems to have ripened it.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Water Melon plants have been devastated by Spider mite, despite trying to keep humidity high and the use of insect predators, I should however have a decent (for me) melon to show. Still very dry weather here, no measurable rain for over 3weeks. Difficult growing conditions for all the veg.   Friday, August 12 View Page My early long root veg. almost failed, so I set up a simple shorter structure to try a late Carrot and Beetroot-seem to be doing well.   Friday, August 12 View Page These two Giant Beetroot are growing in an open frame, I managed to stop the leaf minor pest but have now found them full of black aphids-and I thought after the severe winter weather we would not have so many problems,lol   Friday, August 12 View Page Two Giant Celery have been drawn up inside a plastic barrel, hope this will give me more weight - shows only 3wks. away so will soon know.   Friday, August 12 View Page I have never had better Cabbage plants, but of the three largest, only one is firming up a heart. As the plants are currently almost 1.8m(6ft) across I shall be unable to transport them to the show. I have a smaller one in the field with a larger heart so will probably take it.   Friday, August 12 View Page Giant Parsnips which suffered with spider mite are growing away again. Not strong foliage but no sign of serious canker on the roots so far.   Friday, August 12 View Page Happy with my Heavy Leeks this year, this is by far the best and now hoping that weather remains cool/humid up to the show. A little spider mite damage otherwise sound.   Friday, August 12 View Page Cantaloupe Melons are a disaster, a few female flowers early on, which did not set - since then none. Blaming the cold nights/days.   Friday, August 12 View Page Onion seed heads which have now all set are the strongest I have grown, after months of work tending the 5.4-6.4kg(12-14lb)bulbs I should have the best seed ever.   Monday, August 15 View Page Long and Heavy Cucumbers are almost finished, and all have turned yellow/orange. Not special but I hope better than last year. Longest supported as growing near the door and subject to possible high winds.   Monday, August 15 View Page Heavy Carrots have recovered from spider mite attacks and are pushing out of the ground, some I have earthed up. This one rocks a little so may not be much root lower down? little watering now.   Monday, August 15 View Page The 'April Cross' Radish have done well with little rot so far - may have liked the dry summer air, I am still watering lightly most days. Weight will depend on what I find below ground and care in removing them in one piece.   Monday, August 15 View Page After seeing other Marrow growers having problems with splitting I now have the same. Found two which did not seem to be filling out fully had gone underneath. Cannot be the heavy rain as we have not had any, and I try to water lightly most days, must be Temp/humidity variations?   Monday, August 22 View Page The new Radish variety I was trying ran to seed last month, I cut the top out and now it has rotted away. Only weighed 2.5kg(5.5lb) so do not think I will grow them again.   Monday, August 22 View Page Onions are finishing quickly now, more than half look like this. Not sure why some tops go before others, used to think it was the hot/dry weather (which we have had this year) but I have an almost identical bulb next to this which has 18 green leaves, both have received the same conditions. Must be more of a genetic variation.   Thursday, August 25 View Page Growing a few Cauliflowers for the heaviest, however the only show I am aware of for these has been canceled. Lifted this one early morning and weighed straight away - 10.9kg(24lbs)without roots. Flower diameter 350mm(14")just beginning to blow. The GWR is 24.6kg(54lb 3oz) which makes my effort look pathetic, have asked them for the specification but may take a few weeks. Anyone any idea of how such a weight could be achieved? i.e.variety/time of year/state of growth.   Wednesday, August 31 View Page Onion has grown slower than hoped now 745mm(29.3") x 515mm(20.3) still has 18 greenish leaves so may have further growing to do - will not show it yet to see what happens.   Monday, September 5 View Page 2011 UK National Giant Vegetables Champ. last weekend with 22 classes. Will try and list the results for each over a few entries. Onion 7.30kg (not fully trimmed to World Record spec.) P Glazebrook. Tomato 1.48kg I Clemens. 3 Tomatoes 3.36kg F Charlton. Potato 4.98kg P Glazebrook. (New W/R) Longest Beetroot 5.842m P Glazebrook. Longest Carrot 3.76m J Atherton. Longest Parsnip 4.188m P Glazebrook. Longest Cucumber 1.07m I Neale. Longest Runner Bean P Glazebrook 0.807m Pumpkin 137.6kg D Thomas. Squash 303.20kg D Thomas.   Monday, September 5 View Page Swede 38.92kg I Neale (new W/R). Marrow 51.2kg T Saint. Cabbage 44.80kg D Thomas. Leek 7.80kg J Atherton. Carrot 5.90kg D Thomas. Celery 28.0kg I Neale. C/Melon 5.30kg I Neale. Beetroot 13.10kg I Neale. Radish 4.88kg K/G Fortey. Parsnip 5.56kg D Thomas. Water Melon 29.76kg I Neale. The weights of veg. that need to set a flower are noticeably down this year - clearly weather related. However two new W/R's at the first giants show this year is pretty good.   Monday, September 12 View Page Entered a top Leek & Onion show this weekend, Pot leeks won by a new name to me T Nyczat, however a superb grower with a new leek strain.   Monday, September 12 View Page Long Leeks won by P. Holden in a very strong class, fortunate to come 5th. Most winners were the Pendal strain.   Monday, September 12 View Page Exhibition Onions won by V. Throup, with an almost perfectly finished large set. I won the Heaviest onion, so the 400mile trip was not completely wasted.   Tuesday, September 20 View Page What a weekend, Harrogate Autumn show Onion championships, set a new world record for the heaviest !!! 8.15kg (17lb. 15.5oz) Also entered 3 giant veg. classes at another show in the North East and won 3 firsts.   Monday, September 26 View Page Malvern show last weekend and managed 4-1St's in the giant veg, classes. This is my Tomato 2kg exactly (4.41lbs) best I have shown this year, and seems to be the largest shown in England so far.(poor year for these and Marrows) Congratulations to Dave and Ian on new world record Parsnip and Celery.   Saturday, October 1 View Page Cabbage suffering in our late heatwave 30c (86f) in the garden today-new record for Oct. Hope to show this at my last show next weekend if it is still sound. Heart is almost 0.5m (21") across, but large older leaves are decaying. Covering it with white cloth to shade it from the sun.   Sunday, October 9 View Page Last giant veg. show at 'East of England' showground today, came second with the Cabbage 39.6kg (87.5lb)PB, to Mr. Tranter with this fine specimen 46.9kg (103.4lb)   Sunday, October 16 View Page Mid Oct. and giant Tomatoes are at their best-most plants have 1.5 to 1.8kg(3.3-4lb)fruit. Strange season, when I wanted a heavy one for the late Aug. giants show only had 1.3kg. No frosts yet.   Sunday, October 16 View Page Tested germination of my mixed large Onion seed sample, 9days on and 23seedlings showing out of 25, so happy with this as always a few slower ones. Used a small electric propagator which is preset around 20c (68f) making sure seed tray did not dry out.   Monday, November 7 View Page Start of another giant(I hope) Onion growing season, made three small sowings from different seed heads and will prick out the best seedlings later in the week.   Tuesday, November 22 View Page After being away for the last two weekends giving talks to other growers, it is time to concentrate on my young Onion plants. Potted on the largest three into 110mm(4"+)deep pots, later sowing just showing in the propagator.   Tuesday, November 22 View Page Pot and long Leeks now rooted and in my propagating greenhouse under strip lighting (4tube T5) They are inside an enclosure at this stage to try and reduce the heat loss, however mild for time of year at present   Tuesday, November 22 View Page Stripped down my W/Record Onion today as it was going soft and the media interest has subsided. Not sure how many of the heavy onions will keep and produce seed heads next year, hope most will as I only keep seed from the largest.   Monday, November 28 View Page Potted up the last of my first sowing Onions into 1.5ltr. pots (24no) with 3 true leaves. Pricked out my later, 16th Nov. sowings into 35mm (2.5") pots. All under the 24hr light.   Monday, November 28 View Page End of Nov. and the grass still needs cutting, cannot remember being able to do this so late in the year. No air frosts yet, still dry, only 330mm (13.5") of rain so far this year on the garden (half the average rainfall) The seasons do vary - we were under 300mm (12") of snow last year.   Wednesday, November 30 View Page Pink root, emptying the Exhibition Leek and Onion barrels and finding the soil full of this Fusarium type disease, instead of clean white roots they are pink. The only cure is to dispose of all the soil and try sterilizing the containers. It seems to appear when I grow in the same soil for several years.   Sunday, December 11 View Page Onion first sowings have had 6 wks. 24hr lighting and will be moved to the greenhouse with 10hr supplementary light during the day. 2nd sowings on the right will still have 3more wks. of 24hr - hard to believe that they will be as large at the end of it.   Saturday, December 24 View Page Onions are growing steadily, left plant is my first sowing which have been out of the 24hr lights for 12days - 8th leaf just showing. Right hand plant still has another 7days in the 24hr cabinet - 5th leaf just showing.