18 Oct - A Handful Of Sprouts

We've had some heavy rain over the past few days but the temperatures are unseasonably warm, hitting 18C this weekend. While temperatures are forecast to hold up for a bit longer yet, the winds are set to increase over the next day or two due to Atlantic storms.

In-between the spells of rain I've been at the plot checking out the Brussels Sprouts which are developing well in the short period of Autumn where the plants are still able to put on some growth. The sprout variety is Trafalgar F1 which is supposed to be a mid-season sprout, ready from December. I was surprised then to see a handful of good sized sprouts, enough to pick for a small taste this weekend.

Last year I grew Bosworth F1, more by accident than design as I was given some plants after my initial sowing of Brigitte F1 were eaten by a snail (see 01 Dec 2013 post). The Bosworth F1 went on to be truly excellent and if Trafalgar don't do the business this year I'll be going back to Bosworth next season. Still, let's see how Trafalgar does though I have noticed that Trafalgar doesn't have the AGM while Bosworth does, that doesn't bode well.

After digging up my first Musselburgh leek this week and, seeing that there appears to be no more evidence of leek moth etc since I checked at the start of the month, I removed the frame and enviromesh. It's a bit of a risk but the leeks are already well developed and could probably survive a late attack if it were to come. The risk is outweighed by allowing extra light for the plants and the convenience for harvesting.

During a rainy afternoon this week I tackled the garden greenhouse. The tomatoes and sweet peppers have really gone over now so it was time to clear them out. I picked a last crop of the season and then up-rooted the plants for the compost bin.

The canes are stored again for next season but I didn't get around to sorting through all pots and seed trays, a job I hate. They're just piled up at the moment but I'll have to go through them all soon as it will be a matter of months before tomato seed sowing will take take place and the cycle begins again.

That's it, take it easy. Bye for now.