Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 109 Entries. Friday, January 1 View Page Happy new year to all. Onions are well on for Jan 1st. I hope they continue growing strongly for the next 8 months. last year they suffered in July from the heat.   Friday, January 1 View Page Yesterday was the brightest day through all Dec. so took the opportunity to visit the Poppy Wave at Yorkshire Sculpture park. Lets hope we see more sunshine in Jan.   Friday, January 15 View Page Planted 5 largest Onions into a new growing frame inside my tunnel, the idea of this is to allow more ventilation in the summer after I remove the polythene cover in the late spring.   Saturday, January 30 View Page Started to remove my short carrot growing beds, plan to replace with a narrower structure to grow giant veg, under cover but with full ventilation.   Monday, February 1 View Page Perhaps the best Onion so far, one of five planted in my new internal frame. Still have more to plant out into the tunnels once they are fully rooted into the larger 10inch pots.   Monday, February 1 View Page Leek cabinet is now full after most potted on into 7inch. Betty Black pot leeks and the Llanberis long leeks are looking good. Not so sure yet about my own Yorkshire giants and Pendal.   Monday, February 1 View Page Exhibition Onions just pricked out and under 24hr T5 lighting. Plenty to choose from when they are repotted as I only plan to grow 24.   Saturday, February 6 View Page Planted four Onions from 10" pots into 150 litre growing pots in my top tunnel, they need a week to straighten up.   Saturday, February 6 View Page I am supporting the leaves this year as I think it helps with the light and air movement around them. They are currently on 10.5 hrs of supplementary light and this will be increased gradually until spring.   Saturday, February 20 View Page Giant Carrots/Parsnips are all up and some thinned to one, Swede are now pricked out into 2.5inch pots. All in my heated and lighted Onion cabinet. The last Onions in 10inch pots are starting to spoil but not yet ready to plant them out.   Tuesday, March 1 View Page The new frame Onion is growing ok 7.0inch high x 7.5 circ. 14 leaves.   Tuesday, March 1 View Page Little greenhouse plant seems to be growing extra high 8.2 high x 6.5 circ. 15 leaves.   Tuesday, March 1 View Page The later planted second tunnel plants have settled in and this one near the rear door is 6.5 x 6.5 14L will be interesting to see if these later ones can eventually catch up the others. I have a local friend who is way in front of these so again will have to see how they develop.   Tuesday, March 1 View Page Steady growth with the Leeks, left to right Yorkshire Giant, Llanberis, Pendal (for intermediate) Betty Black. Still in my growth cabinet under 10hr T5 lights.   Tuesday, March 1 View Page Exhibition Onions just potted on into 5inch pots with two support canes, again in the growth cabinet under 10.5 lights.   Thursday, March 10 View Page I gave my friend some Onion plants before Christmas and visiting today find that he has grown then far better than I have mine. This one is 8inch high x 11inches circ. and looks healthy. He is copying my growing method exactly but clearly they are doing better in his conditions.   Saturday, March 19 View Page Giant Beetroot just started, old 2012/13 seed but germination still good. Started earlier I find results in them running to seed, they are very prone to this anyway.   Saturday, March 26 View Page Problem with young leaves trapped in neck of best Onion, now found the problem caused by new leaf growing up inside an older one. Had to cut 22mm slit in top of leaf to extract it carefully. Bound to set the plant back, lets hope it stays sound.   Monday, March 28 View Page Finally finished building my new growing frame, it holds 10 130litre black pots. Still have these to fill. Both front and rear frame windows can be opened or completely removed during hot weather, so hope it works.   Monday, March 28 View Page Moved my chitting seed Potatoes out of the barn into the new frame which will have more light. Will have to cover over with fleece every night in case of frosts.   Friday, April 1 View Page The new frame Onion has grown very well during March. 9.3inch high x 11.4 circ. 18leaves. Behind this is the one with trapped leaves - beginning to look as if it may grow out of the problem.   Friday, April 1 View Page The little greenhouse Onion so far is very disappointing, growing tall with little girth. I know that bulbing should not really start before mid April but I would like to see a stronger neck now. There are better plants in the greenhouse so hope they continue.   Friday, April 1 View Page Giant Swede seem to have grown fast in the heated greenhouse, need to move them into cooler conditions and harden off prior to planting or potting on.   Tuesday, April 12 View Page Planted out the last giant Onion in my new frame, never planted one out of such a large pot, even so found the plant was severely pot bound, will have to see how it grows away. 9.5inches high x 11.5 circ. 15 green leaves.   Tuesday, April 12 View Page Also planted the first Betty Black pot leek in the frame, this was out of a 9inch pot and was only just ready. Will leave the others another week before planting elsewhere.   Tuesday, April 19 View Page Planted out my first six Pendal long Leeks into the front trench, only just ready so will leave others a week. Frosts every night this week so have covered over with fleece tonight.   Tuesday, April 26 View Page Carrots and Parsnips waiting to be planted out once the weather warms up, soil only 9c pm and covered raised bed only 12c.   Tuesday, April 26 View Page Swede also waiting but these are very pot bound now.   Tuesday, April 26 View Page Beetroot potted on again until this cold spell ends.   Tuesday, April 26 View Page Potatoes starting to grow but having to keep them in the greenhouse for now.   Sunday, May 1 View Page New frame Onion has grown well during April, 11.3high x 17.0inches circ. 21 leaves. This growth has been at the expense of a high heating and lighting bill because the weather has been worse than the mild winter.   Sunday, May 1 View Page Later planted Onion in my top little tunnel is a similar size 11.2 high x 17.0 inches circ. 20 leaves.   Sunday, May 1 View Page Not all the plants are doing so well, the one with trapped leaves earlier has now developed more, just when I thought it had grown away. Perhaps needs to be removed but to late to replant.   Sunday, May 1 View Page Expect to plant my Leeks out this week once the soil has warmed up, milder weather forecast. Never been so late planting.   Friday, May 20 View Page Late giant Beetroot to be planted today inside my netted tunnel, it has already been attacked by the Leaf Miner pest but have cut these leaves off.   Friday, May 20 View Page Beetroot for the long root class is away in the greenhouse but the Parsnip has had to be resown. Carrots are growing in the shed and are further on.   Friday, May 20 View Page Giant Swede and Beetroot seeding down outside, had to net over to keep pigeons away.   Saturday, May 21 View Page Very strong 'Pendal' Leek and 'Betty Black' pot leek which I will grow on for the heaviest classes. Better conditions now so expect faster growth.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page lot3 Onion plant looks the strongest now 18.2inches high x 23.2 circ. x 23 leaves. We have a week of cool/grey/dark days so running the lights during the day.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page lot2 Onion 16.2 x 22.7 x 23L, happy with them but also aware that two other growers have larger bulbs at this time.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Exhibition Onions beginning to grow and look strong, average 9.5 circ. but wide variations in circ. and height.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Giant Potato plants in my new frame have grow strong tops however had to remove one which had some leaf disease. so only 8 left.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Heavy and long Cucumbers started, these are growing half in Canna Coco and Terra compost. Look pale now perhaps due to the lack of light as this weeks weather is dire.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Giant Tomatoes sown in the two different composts inside my propagator. May be next week before any germinate.   Thursday, June 9 View Page Almost all the Tomatoes have germinated and look similar in the different composts at this stage.   Thursday, June 9 View Page Removed the outer polythene cover from my LOT3 Onion frame to allow more ventilation. The weather has turned hot almost 30c in the garden. The internal frame has side and end manual openers so at least the temp. should be around outside.   Thursday, June 9 View Page Giant Cucumbers in the two different Canna composts, all greened up now in the sunnier days.   Thursday, June 9 View Page Perhaps the best Carrot top at present they are growing now the weather has changed.   Friday, June 10 View Page Planted out my Cucumbers and Tomatoes into the Canna trial composts, if setting out young ones is best then they should do well.   Friday, June 17 View Page All my Marrows planted now, little sunshine but plenty of rain with high humidity and mild nights so they should have a good start outside.   Monday, June 27 View Page Wet dark June seems to be suiting Carrots and Beetroot if not Tomatoes or Cucumbers.   Monday, June 27 View Page Giant Radish started, have two started 2 weeks earlier, they can be a problem running to seed but this wet/dark weather may suit them.   Monday, June 27 View Page Runner Beans just reaching for their canes, have started a few later ones today.   Friday, July 1 View Page Lot 2 Onion has grown steadily during June, now 19.5 inches high x 26.3 circ. 19leaves. Some die back on the leaves and beginning to look tired even though the weather remains cool/dark. Thrip & spidermite predators renewed this month.   Friday, July 1 View Page The new frame plants are keeping fresher, this is the best, now 22.0 inches high x 27.0 circ. 20leaves. No new leaves coming now so think we have finished with them, could perhaps be a weak one later this month.   Friday, July 1 View Page Heavy Potatoes are now showing Tuber growth, because they are not earthed up the young potatoes tend to push above the compost, covered them with fresh compost after trying to reduce to one per plant.   Thursday, July 7 View Page Large Onions put back for seed now in full flower and a few early ones already set.   Thursday, July 7 View Page Dug up the large Onion with trapped leaves in the neck, problem coming from the core of the bulb so should have lifted it earlier, 24.5inches circ x 17 high, 10lb. trimmed.   Saturday, July 23 View Page Large Onions fully opened and shaded during current heatwave, we wanted more sun but not this much with the high temps. Think it will finish them early.   Saturday, July 23 View Page Canna trial Tomatoes are late but have now left the first flower to set although not mega blooms, still time for these.   Saturday, July 23 View Page Cucumber growing tip scorched by the fierce sun on tues. should have foreseen this, Marrows also affected.   Tuesday, July 26 View Page Largest Onion seed head this year now fully set, not from my largest bulb but it has the vigour I am looking for.   Tuesday, July 26 View Page Haymaking, second crop this year, never had so much grass later in the year, must be all the rain in June/early July.   Wednesday, July 27 View Page Large flower on a Gigantomo Tomato, never had one like this when I grew them last year for the Harrogate competition, hope it sets ok. may just be ready for mid Sept.   Monday, August 1 View Page Honoured with a visit from part of an RHS committee, they seemed interested in the giant vegetables but not sure if they will be growing any themselves.   Monday, August 1 View Page New frame Onion has suffered during the 10 days of 30c + temp's no new measurable growth this last week, 23.5 inches high x 28.0 circ. 13 leaves. do not think they will need any more water.   Monday, August 1 View Page Lot2 Onion also suffered with the heat, 20.5 inches high x 28.0 circ. 13 leaves. It looks as if the chance of a personal best this year has well gone following the heatwave.   Monday, August 1 View Page My later Gigantomo Tomatoes now have a megabloom, it appears to have set, will have to see how it grows. I am sure this is the only way 3lb can be exceeded with this variety.   Monday, August 1 View Page Heavy Carrots in my outside netted front tunnel are making very strong healthy top growth, lets hope the same is happening underground. Think the wet June/early July has helped them.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page Marrows have all set at least one so lets hope we have reasonable growing conditions through Aug. no heatwaves/gales/cold nights or torrential rain.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page Two off my heavy Radish have run to seed, sowed late and shaded from the hottest sun but still a check-perhaps the high temps.   Friday, August 12 View Page Staged at the Vale Show in South Wales, won the heaviest Onion 12lb+ and Leek(Betty Black)13lb+ strong competition in the other classes.   Thursday, August 18 View Page My best Marrow so far, this is from seed out of last years Malvern entry, however not all are as good as this and vary in colour.   Thursday, August 18 View Page Trying two other strains of Marrow but not happy with either, this one has produced a strong plant but the dark marrows are poor and unlikely to grow much larger.   Thursday, August 18 View Page The second strain I am trying is vigorous but bent and thin waisted, likely to split as it grows larger.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Severe gale yesterday ripped my high tunnel roof sheet almost in two. Still to windy to try and fit a temp. sheet over. It would be over my best heavy Cucumber which is taking a battering.   Sunday, August 21 View Page View from inside showing the plant, this has by far the best Cucumber and I have hung a sling to support it now that it is open to the wind and rain.   Saturday, August 27 View Page Finally made a temp. repair to the damaged tunnel, fortunately the weather has been hot while the roof was open.   Saturday, August 27 View Page Heavy Cucumber underneath seems to have survived, supported the weight with a sling, lets hope it keeps growing for a few more weeks.   Saturday, August 27 View Page There was a few large Marigold seed in the EGVGA package, Mary has grown these outside the greenhouse, look good and supposed to deter aphids.   Saturday, August 27 View Page Giant Potato tops looking tired, still watering and will be lifting in two weeks - hope I find something large under the soil.   Saturday, August 27 View Page Gigantomo tomato's now supported, look as though they will keep growing until Harrogate show in 2 weeks or so.   Saturday, August 27 View Page Only 3 Betty Black pot Leeks left but this looks like being heavy. Most of the others have been lost to brown rot on the root plate.   Saturday, August 27 View Page Pendle Leeks are good, best in show last week at our local NVS competition. Llanberis Leeks not so good, one small pair shown but now over half have run to seed.   Thursday, September 1 View Page Hot weather during August has ruined my chances of any great weights this year, I think this bulb weighs less now than a month ago.   Thursday, September 1 View Page This one in my other tunnel is the same.   Thursday, September 1 View Page Heat also ripening my Tomatoes before they have fully grown, cutting them off as they colour and placing in the fridge.   Saturday, September 17 View Page Lifted a heavy Beetroot for Harrogate Show and it turned out to be the winner.   Saturday, September 17 View Page BBC television crew who filmed us lifting a heavy carrot, will be part of their Gardeners World programme.   Saturday, September 17 View Page Winning Carrot, under 18lbs so not close to my 2014 world record of 20lbs.   Saturday, September 17 View Page Joe Atherton won the heaviest Onion at Harrogate, I was second and Gareth Griffin third. I think everyone had been affected in some ways by the very hot late summer weather.   Wednesday, September 28 View Page Malvern giant vegetable growers. More competitors/entries and very high standard.   Wednesday, September 28 View Page Won the heaviest Cucumber class with a new PB 11.98kg, thanks to David Thomas giving me seed from his world record one after last years show.   Wednesday, September 28 View Page Cucumber grown in Canna Coco medium, very good root system forming a strong mat in the large growing trays. Watered and fed with Canna 2 part feeds. Impressed with their products.   Wednesday, September 28 View Page For this show, with little prize money, a very strong Pumpkin/Squash class.   Friday, October 14 View Page Emptying my large Onion growing pots and finding pink roots all around the sides and underneath. We have had a very hot late summer and I think this must be part of the cause, seems to have been a problem over the last few years.   Friday, October 14 View Page Day off and trip to the coast at Spurn Point, not been here before but clearly the powerful sea has completely washed away the roadway to the lighthouse end. Now a 3 mile walk from the car park, but only able to cross this section during low tide without wet feet.   Friday, October 14 View Page Lifted a second Carrot for last weekends show, never seen one with so many twisted legs, but only weighed 10lbs+ in the end I entered the earlier one which was still sound and a winner again.   Friday, October 14 View Page Started next years growing with the arrival of a few Betty Black Leek pips, set these around a seed tray to root in my propagator after soaking them for a few hours in a fungicide.   Friday, October 21 View Page Made my first Onion sowing, several different heads mainly to test the germination, however all fine. Will grow on the strongest. These are under 24hr T5 lights so soon need to prick out.   Friday, October 21 View Page Had a visit from Jim Thompson, he soon spotted what was wrong with the heavy Carrot foliage-spidermite. should have realised this myself but did not expect this so late in the season   Tuesday, November 8 View Page Potted on my large Onion's into 100mm pots M3 compost, under 24hr lighting, and fitted their first cane support.   Tuesday, November 8 View Page Potted up my Cumbria pot leeks now that they have rooted well, did not intend growing these again this year but the grass looked strong & healthy. Behind are my Pendal long leek grass still rooting.   Tuesday, November 8 View Page Giving the Onion growing pots a good clean prior to next season.   Saturday, November 26 View Page Brilliant autumn colour on our Oak tree, even if it is too large for the garden.   Saturday, November 26 View Page Early Onions out of 24hrs after 5weeks, now on 9hrs but still in growth cabinet. Potted most on into 9" from 4" as pots were full of root. 6 leaves on best.   Sunday, December 25 View Page Potted on most of my early large Onions into 9inch pots, most in JI2 soil based with a few in Canna Coco. In my LG cabinet under T5 lights.   Sunday, December 25 View Page Planted 3 Onions out into 150 litre pots in my partitioned off LG, 2 are in JI2 and the other in Canna Coco. Never planted out so early but will see if they can grow large before the summer heatwaves. T5 lights on 3 sides during daylight hours.   Sunday, December 25 View Page Home grown Brussel Sprouts for dinner tonight with the Turkey, this variety is Cascade and I find it reliable for Dec. onwards.