parsnip
It’s been a while since I last updated this so there are a few things to show.
First is this parsnip about a foot long and 5 inches across – the first of many back in October. This was Panache from Marshalls, from my first sowing. Plenty more right up until Christmas but the later sowings were smaller and in 2009 I plan on sowing earlier and in cardboard tubes or root-trainers. I didn’t notice the mark when I took the picture or I would have turned it round but none of the parsnips were so badly affected by pests they had to be discarded.
gourds
I planted a packet of mixed ornamental gourds picked up cheaply just to fill a spot and these are the result. I planted about 30cm apart each way and trimmed them back when they started spreading to neighbouring beds. They look good in the kitchen doing just what it said on the tin.
Ice
When we had that very cold snap at new year I drained the water butts before they split. You can see I just caught them in time since these beautiful ice spirals about 2 inches long spreading towards the middle. Very difficult to photograph and shortly after getting the pics the whole lot crashed to the bottom.
sprouts
These are some still left after raiding on Christmas Eve. The pest damage is only on the very outside and they taste delicious. I’m puzzled since I had two types, Montgomery and Cromwell, which should have been ready at different times but they both seem to be producing together. I did pick some and freeze them a couple of weeks before Christmas just in case I lost the lot.
From the allotment, Christmas lunch included fresh sprouts and parsnips and very tasty peas, broad, french and runner beans from the freezer. Also desert included raspberries that were as tasty as the day they were picked.
Winter plot
To finish – a general view of the plot as at 2nd January 2009.
In the foreground are some January King that I suspect may be Jan 2010 before they’re ready!
Under the cloche are Webbs Wonderful lettuces.
Behind these are swedes “Marian”, which we may try soon. The largest is still only about 6cm across and about 12cm long.
In the bed behind are purple sprouting broccoli, turnips that really did not work this year and on the right chard “Bright Lights”.
Further back are the leeks that still need another month or so and the sprouts.
I’m already up on last year as all the heavy digging and manuring was done before the rain and cold. I will need to get out there and replant the broad beans soon as I can see none of the 96 have survived the birds and mice.
The shallots and garlic I planted are looking OK but not up to last years levels yet.
Here’s to a good, healthy 2009.
