Wednesday 28 March 2012

Fusion of the Seasons

Let's face it, for most of us, the weather has been glorious - more like summer than spring.  Some years summer is nowhere near as good as spring is at the moment.

So, what have I been up to during the past week?  More seed sowing I'm afraid - I have had to erect my new mini-greenhouse to take the overspill.

I am hardening off my broad beans in there ready for planting out very shortly.  But mainly, I have been thinking about winter crops - seems a bit crazy thinking 9 months ahead, but Brassicas need a long growing season.
Nero di Toscana Kale
Sprouting Broccoli Red Arrow

Calabrese Sampson

Cauliflower Romanesco
All of the above have been sown, plus ordinary Cauliflower, Early Purple Sprouting and Curly Kale.

More beetroot and chards
Bright Lights Chard
White Silver Chard

Burpees Golden Beetroot
I wont be sowing any summer cabbage this year as there is always plenty of other veg around and the cabbages tend to get left in favour of beans.

Can't stay long - the warm sunshine beckons.
Is anyone else thinking ahead to sowing for winter?

Before I forget, I should like to thank Jane at Tidy Gardens by Jane check out her blog here for passing on an Award to me


When I have time I will pass this on to 7 deserving bloggers plus give you a few previously unknown facts about myself.  Watch this space.  Thanks Jane.

25 comments:

  1. Me and the plot take a rest over the winter so I don't grow anything then. I like the look of the rainbow chard and golden beetroot, both of which I'm growing.
    Congratulations on the blog award, it's well deserved! Flighty xx

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  2. You are an inspiration. I'm going try turnips and rutabaga this year. That's as far as I've thought into fall. I'm going to pick the first asparagus of the season so I'll settle for enjoying a little of spring's bounty.

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  3. I wish I could be as organised and determined as you Elaine. I'm not!! I did grow leeks last year and we only finished eating them a month or so back.To be honest its room that is the major problem for me, we have so little to play with.

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  4. Ha! Looks like we have matching mini-greenhouses & boy am I glad my OH bought me one last week. May buy another one, they're so useful. Am finding all this seed sowing very therapeutic (have gone seed crazy this year!)
    Looking forward to your Random Factoids & more 'seedy' snaps x

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  5. Yep, I'm growing loads of Kale and a few Sprouts, Cabbage and Leeks. Maybe I will also have a few Parsnips left - if they grow this year. Failed dismally last season.

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  6. I have been sowing sprouts (red and green),summer sprouting broccoli and Kale.

    The weather is just gorgeous, congratulations on your award Elaine x

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  7. Like you I am busy seed sowing for the months ahead. I grew some ruby chard a couple of years ago and it looked wonderful but I didn't know what to do with it all. I would welcome some recipes to go with your planting successes.

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  8. The warm sunshine has been beckoning me as well. Your harvest is so full of goodies. I have been sowing seeds as well...so much to do...

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  9. Your seed sowing is progressing nicely! I'm jealous of your broccoli. Mine hasn't sprouted any heads yet. I did sow more seeds last weekend. I'm enjoying the warm weather.

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  10. SNAP. I've been sowing almost exactly the same stuff. I ate my first lot of Spring Broccoli last night.

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  11. Congratulations on the award, well deserved. This gorgeous weather has pushed me in to action too, I got lots of seeds sown at the weekend including brassicas, and I've finally got my tomatoes sown too. I have a mini plastic greenhouse which I've put inside the normal greenhouse to give my seedlings a little extra protection, but they're not really needing it at the moment with this glorious weather.

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  12. I have sown some Brussels Sprout seeds already, and I will soon be sowing PSB. When you are a gardener it's no good thinking only a few days ahead - you have to think MONTHS ahead!
    Where would we be without those plastic mini-greenhouses? I love 'em.

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  13. Congrats on the award! I haven't sown much but will need to get sowing this weekend. Your way ahead of me.

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  14. Love your little greenhouse! I could use one of those as well. Nice assortment of veggies you've sown - yum!

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  15. Oh you are so organized Elaine-it’s as much as I can do to keep up with spring!

    And thank you again for your very kind advice on helping me with my blog-very, very much appreciated!

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  16. For once the weather has been great here in Ireland too. Busy, busy, busy in the garden. Congrats on your award.

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  17. Oh dear I am behind. I have th seeds for PSB, Carvelo Nero etc to sow, I just havent sown them yet. But then I have realised I havent sown my courgettes yet either - I must remedy this situation this weekend. I think I might have to invest in another mini-greenhouse!!

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  18. Elaine I am just discovering your blog through Blotanical. I definitely will be back...wonderful sprouts and you are lucky to have all that nice warm weather...we were teased with it for a few weeks but March has returned for a few days with freezing temps...looking forward to warm weather again!

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  19. I grew purple sprouting for the first time last year and am still harvesting it now. And while my sprouts weren't too successful I have just had a lovely meal of sprout tops cooked in garlic and olive oil mixed through pasta with parmesan (my Italian friend's mum's recipe). It has been great to have these early spring crops and I will be doing them again. Better get sowing...

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  20. Wonderful blog! ~ I'm now following ~ Best, Anne

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  21. Elaine....how did I miss this blog? You have some great veggies coming along fine there :)
    I have many seedlings and planted some already too!

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  22. A good idea to plan ahead for the Winter as you say veg can be scarce then. My Sprouts have germinated outside along with Leeks & Parsnips & if my Oca germinates it should be ready to harvest December. Broccoli not sown yet.

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  23. Spring has tempted us into thinking we are in for a good summer for the last few years hasn't it? Then it's stuck out its tongue and shouted fooled ya!

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  24. Do you think that we have now had our summer Elaine ? I must admit that I have not started to think ahead to winter but should do really. My early purple sprouting broccoli is just showing its first offerings ~ maybe time to sow some more :) Thanks for the timely reminder.

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  25. You are very organised Elaine. I can just about think of spring sowing at the moment.

    For the past three years the weather certainly seems to be following a pattern with very warm and dry spells during April and May but wet and cool in June and July. I do hope we get some decent summer this year.

    Jeanne

    PS Congrats on your award

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