Leeks

Took a few leeks today for leek and potato soup.  Not as thick as last year's which were bought as seedlings - this year's all from seed (Real Seed Co.).

Next year I think I'll do a bit of both.  

Soup tasted good though, with the Nicola spuds from earlier this year.  Almost at the end of the spuds now and they seem to be sprouting a bit even in the dark garage in a sack.

Garlic planted on Shortest Day

Tradition is that you plant on the shortest day and harvest on the longest.  So that's what I'm going to do, even though the guy in the local garden centre said that was a load of rubbish and I should plant in February.

It's the a Shortest Day today and quite mild so I've managed to get them in.  2 varieties this year, Thermidore and Cristo.  Seem to be 'better' winter varieties although I'm going to get some more in early next year anyway.

45 Thermidores and 30 Cristos nicely planted.  Soil seems a bit wet but we'll see.  It's nice to plant something . . . anything.

Tidy greenhouse

. . . manure . . .

21st October :  3 trips to manure pile so far.  10+10+7 barrow loads shifted and almost all of strawberry patch 1 (with 20 single spade full).  Weather turned now and clocks go back at the weekend.  Still a big pile left though.

My manure

Couldn't resist posting one image of the pile.  Half of this is mine (sharing a 'full load' with Alan) and I'll start barrowinf it away later this week . . . maybe.  Not sure what the carpet's for but I think it's to keep it warm!

Borlotti bean harvest

I was planning to leave the borlottis for as long as possible to dry out but it's too wet now and I need to clear some space to start spreading the manure (see previous post).

Some seem to be dry and nicely speckled but others are still green.  I wonder if they'll speckle as they dry?

A big pile of manure

Yes that's right.  Driest September for ever (apparently) and then after just a few days of rain it happens to be the manure delivery. It's messy and I don't think it needs any photos.