Vegetable Growing 2026

At the Allotments today, I had to find a new way of digging up my parsnips
The ground is still frozen solid to a depth of about 3-4 inches in most places but I was able to break in where I had dug some (parsnips) previously. I used the Canterbury hoe to undermine the ground to both sides of the row and managed to get some out. A couple of damaged ones, due to my inaccurate swing but mostly ok.

 

Determination there @Allotment Boy! They look great!

 

Nice size, parsnip digging was always in my memory as the ground being frozen solid.

 

I've still got a few to pick too


Also got lots of kallettes to pick as well, hopefully this cold spell has made them tastier

I did a bit of pruning over Xmas, mainly the grapes and redcurrants. Hoping this year I'll get a small harvest of grapes it's their third year now.

 

Got to the plots today, as it was bright but very breezy postponed the winter wash (spray) on the fruit trees.
Weeded the Rhubarb and the Asparagus. Got some manure spread on the Rhubarb, with difficulty as in spite of the heap being covered, the muck is very very wet and heavy. The ground is very wet and sticky too, no chance of any digging.
I started to break up an old pallet for firewood, but again wet wood really grips, even a long levered crowbar struggled, either that or I'm getting feak and weeble in my old age.

 

Technique to try.
Place pallet on a housebrick on edge , along the board to remove, at the header. Jump on the boards alongside the required board. Needs to be on solid base, concrete/paving. 90% success rate. (Being 15 st helps !)

 

Hmm, thanks for the idea just two problems.
1.No concrete or paving on the Allotments- except for the main road in.
2. Being a lifelong Skinny I'm nearly 5 1/2 st short of the required weight even with my big boots on.
Never mind

 

Oh, then you'll need extra bricks !

 

Two in each pocket.

 

Greenhouse garlic and mustards. There were rat burrows I found on the other bed in there so I've not picked any mustards from it yet. Been a mild winter

Outside garlic, lidl bought spring Spanish grew immediately after planting, the French softneck I've been growing for a few years now is just a couple of inches up

 

Going to do first sowings of the year this weekend. All in module trays, will germinate inside the house then move to greenhouse when germinated, so they'll all have to be frost hardy

Onions, some brassicas, lettuce and other salads,some herbs like parsley, dill and coriander

Also lidl have their seeds in, I've picked up quite a few from them

 

Hi all,

I'm filling my online shopping basket with (far too many) seeds and was hoping to do more veg than I've managed in the last few years.

I’ve always chosen Boltardy beetroot, which have grown fine, but I'm wondering if anyone has any other recommendations for a beetroot variety?

 

You could try one of the golden varieties, it relieves the shock when using the toilet the following day.

I've tried others but never had a problem with Boltardy, I'm not sure there is much difference in taste between varieties.

 

The Italian variety Chioggia, red and white stripes when cut; pattern doesn't survive cooking, becomes pink overall, but flavour and texture are good.