When the light levels are so low and the garden so wet and muddy it can sometimes be an effort to bother going and seeing what's happening out there, but I dragged on my wellies and went for a look.
The snowdrops near the house are always very early, sometimes flowering at Christmas. Such delicate looking little flowers, but so tough to be out at the coldest time of the year.
The Veg plot has been very neglected since last autumn. The weather was so wet I didn't get round to tidying all the dead stuff away. We made a start at the weekend, clearing some of the beds so that one of the compost bins could be emptied. Lovely dark crumbly stuff, it does wonders for our poor chalky soil.
Not very glamorous but I wouldn't be without them! There's something very therapeutic about turning over half rotted compost and digging out the finished stuff!
There's a few veggies left. The leeks did well, but the ones that are left look rather tatty so I'll pull them all up and see if there's anything worth using. The brassicas are still going strong. I haven't bothered with them before so wasn't sure what to expect, but we've had the Cavalo Nero and the Curly Kale a few times and they were very good.
There's a few plants of purple sprouting broccoli which haven't produced any sprouts yet, though the packet does say March/April so there's still hope!
And I noticed today a little Romanesco cauliflower hidden amongst the leaves. Looking forward to eating that.
This chard plant is still producing lots of new growth and is about the most colourful thing in the garden at the moment so it can stay for a while.
I wonder what sort of weather we'll get this year. 2012 wasn't great for veg gardeners, with a lot of the more tender crops suffering. It's tempting to give up on things like squashes and French beans, but some years have been much better, so I think I'll keep trying alongside the more reliable things like runner beans and peas. Now we just need some sun!
xxx
looks like your soil is much the same as mine chalky, the chard is a pretty plant, I must grow some Cavalo Nero this year, all the best David
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have snowdrops out now. They must be an early variety. I always used to think snowdrops were just snowdrops but there are so many types.
ReplyDeleteThose compost bins are really neat - did you build them yourself?
AS for the broccoli as you said plenty of time yet for that.
Yes, hubby built them years ago and they've lasted well. xx
DeleteThose snowdrops are so glorious, though they do seem incredibly early! What a lovely Romanesco coming up. I'm always amazed how winter vegetables manage to survive!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photos, I love the snowdrops.
ReplyDeleteirene
xxxx
I can't wait to get going in my garden and to take a peek at my compost bin. Your winter vegetables look fantastic. I really must have a go this year. Take care.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I really wish I knew what I was doing in the garden, looks like I need your help! I'd love to start a veggie patch.
ReplyDeleteMe encántan las verduras de invierno sobre todo las coliflores. Muchos saludos
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see some photos of your garden. That is the first snowdrops I have seen this year! Let's hope we have a better growing season in 2013!
ReplyDeleteSarah x
My veg patch was totaly neglected last year ,the slugs ate what little i grew so i just gave up ,it is a full time job having a veg patch xx
ReplyDeleteLovely to see some snowdrops, they are so delicate and yet tough as old boots to be flowering this early in the year!
ReplyDeleteI found some Romanesco heads in my brassicas too, I'd almost given up on it but came good in the end. Annie
Snowdrops always make me smile - they're just so pretty when there's nothing much of anything else around!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how great your garden is coming along already.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great compost place, I love it. We all wait for colder weather, which will come at the weekend. I hope, my Helleborus will not die this winter!
ReplyDeleteWhis you a wonderful week.
Sigrun
I too left my veg patch with things wet and rotting but managed to clear it all on New Years Day. Lovely to be outside in the chilly winter sunshine. We need to make the most of it after all that rain. Your snow drops look lovely. Amanda x
ReplyDeleteMy snow drops are only just popping up, can't wait til they flower! :) x
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely veg in your plot to look forward too - it all looks so well organised too! The chard looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see some snowdrops too - they are so pretty and such a welcome sight this time of year.I wonder if mine need splitting - plenty of leaf but no signs yet of any flowers.
Thanks for sharing!
Gill xx
The compost looks wonderful stuff, and I'm impressed with the bins, our's on the allotment are makeshift things. Good to see that you've still got plenty going on in the veg patch, all I've got left are leeks.
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeleteyour garden looks great with all the wonderful veggies. like your snowdrops.
i have no luck with snowdrops.
lovely blog.
have a wonderful week,
regina
How lovely to see so much fresh green growth! I discovered your lovely blog last summer and loved seeing your gorgeous garden pictures! Must get out in my own garden again next weekend and start sorting it out!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week.
Helen x
It's wonderful to see so much that's growing even in the depths of January. We seem to be living surrounded by a sea of mud here!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks so good! All those vegetables you have. We haven't done much work in the garden lately. I can't wait to get my hands into the soil again.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend!
Madelief x
That looks go great, here we have snow to our knees so gardening seems like a fairytale right about now. :) The chard is so pretty, I don`t know it we can grow it here but I hope so, what colors.
ReplyDeleteI am sooo jealous! What a fantastic garden you have. I suppose it might be hard to pick between all your produce, I would have the shard, beautiful and edible! Love your photos:~)
ReplyDeleteI adore the chard! It's beautiful and you can eat it! What could be better? (Your quilt is lovely!)
ReplyDelete