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Growing Winter Vegetables
Get those sprouts in!
It’s not easy writing these posts you know, any blogger will tell you that. Everyday I have to think of something to write about, something topical, relevent and, if possible, interesting. So maybe I fail on the latter but topical? definately! You see I know you are all thinking of little else save what vegetables you are going to grow and eat this winter.
Fear not, this post will put your mind at rest. Despite the glorious sunshine we, here in the UK are experiencing for two days, yours truly has been busy looking after his sprouts, parsnips, cauliflowers and calabrese.
Time waits for no kitchen gardener, parsnips and sprouts need a long growing season so if you fancy some home grown ‘neeps’ then get a move on. Once again I have planted individually for planting out later. I generally don’t do direct sowing, it requires thinning out, it’s less cost effective and manageable. With plug plants I know how many plants I have, they will be hardened off at my own pace and planted out only when I know they are strong enough to do so.
So in the cold frame are my parsnips, summer squashes, sprouts, cauliflowers and calabrese. I have moved some of my chilli plants from out of the house and into one of the greenhouses, some are begining to fruit already so I shall up the ratio of feeding.
As for the infamous Jolokia’s, well I shall take no risk. They are staying in the house for another 2-3 weeks before going into a greenhouse and their final place in my special ‘chilli hothouse’.
Anyway, enough of chillies, here’s some winter vegetable plants…..!
Miles,
This might sound a little outlandish but while you are gardening today will you be wearing any clothes? It’s just that a reliable source casually mentioned that today is national naked gardening day…… personally I feel a little apprehensive and may cling to my negligee for peace of mind
Cid
May 3, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Cid,
“national naked gardening day” - those who do deserve all they get! The list is too long for the potential
In any case, is there not a law about that sort of thing and was there not a test case last year about neighbours complaining about their naked gardener(s). You are wise to cling to your negligee!
Happy Bankholiday
Elsie
Elsie
May 3, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
MIles,
Your plants look a healthy lot. I am only a little cook in the Nean household and have a great deal of admiration how you cope with such a busy job, have your kitchen garden and share your interesting blog with us.
We ought to do something in return for you. I wonder if Cid has any ideas?
Elsie
May 3, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
Cid,
No, I shall not be taking part in that one. Shirtless in my polytunnel is one thing but the full monty?
May 3, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Elsie,
Another commis chef would come in handy, and a gardener!
Miles
May 3, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Elsie,
I’m always full of ideas …. most of them fall on stony ground or are put down to the workings of a warped mind
What could we possibly do for Miles… the man seems positively self sufficient, action packed even. We must drop by one day during his break time at work and give him helpful advice on all manner of things…. he’ll like that 
Cid
May 3, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Miles
Look no further than Cid and I, we will easely fill both jobs You could swap us around, one week commis chef another week gardener! We are very flexible and highly motivated, especially when we are well fed
Elsie
May 3, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
Elsie,
I’m a bit concerned that we might not recognize the chilli seedlings and cast them out as weeds
As to the kitchen, could we take the heat? I suspect there’s a good deal of shouting and general uproar… are we tough enough to join in? Two formidable multifunctional women such as ourselves, we’d probably be left well alone to get on with pretty much what we wanted 
When do we start?
Cid
May 3, 2008 @ 6:56 pm