The start of another new year and a new season for all our plans. The days are already noticeably longer giving us more time in the afternoon to work and catch up. The perennial plants are in some cases begining to show signs of new life as are the shrubs in the flower gardens.

It is nice to start thinking of the crops that we will be growing this year and all the tasty fruit and vegetables we will be picking and eating, but what are we eating now? I am still providing a large part of our meals with fresh produce topped up with stored crops. At present I have in the ground parsnips, perpetual spinach, sprouts, leeks, red cabbage, sprouting broccolli (still to start producing) and chard outside. Inside I have carrots, leeks, spring cabbage and spinach this manages to keep me picking for some time to come.

I have at last managed to get the seed order done and posted, so we can expect that soon. The holiday period has allowed me to clear the strip of ground covered by old timber and containers so it is ready for me to start digging and preparing for this season.

JOBS FOR THE WEEK

1. Dig over strip cleared
2. Take down second brassica frame
3. Dig area of brassica frame

WORK DONE THIS WEEK

Sunday

1. Start digging stip
2. Pick
3. Water tunnel

Monday

Very windy and wet - no work

Tuesday

Raining !

Wednesday

1. Continue digging strip  cleared.
2. Walk on leaf bins to prepare to top up.

Thursday

Wet and windy again 

Friday

Wet and windy

Saturday

1. Continue digging strip 

CROPS PICKED THIS WEEK

1. Sprouts
2. Leeks