Now is the time of year when gardeners head for their seed catalogues and start making plans for the growing season ahead. Seed potatoes must be ordered, and preparations made (i.e. brain put in gear so as not to miss appropriate time slots) for crops that must be sown early. It is also a good moment to review which of the last year’s crops grew best, and most importantly, which we most enjoyed eating.
Actually all the produce was delicious. We had loads of Early Onward peas, courgettes and salad greens. Beans thrived – French, borlotti, fava, runners, and Cherokee, as did the globe artichokes, raspberries and Swift sweet corn. In the polytunnel the Black Russian tomatoes, and yellow cherry variety were the most prolific. I also grew some very good pink onions in there, and thus saved them from alium beetle attack which did a lot of damage in the outdoor crop.
There’s still stuff to eat on the plot too – Brussels sprouts, Italian broccoli, Tuscan kale, parsnips, and early purple sprouting to come.
And now as I look at these photos, I sense the horticultural sap rising. Soon it will be time to go out and get growing – all over again. For the gardener’s work is never done. Yippeeeeee!
copyright 2017 Tish Farrell
Thursday’s Special: 2016 Retrospective Please visit Paula for her own fine retrospective, and be inspired.
Tish Farrell 
A delicious retrospective, Tish, and no calories. 🙂
janet
And we certainly need to aim for no calories just at this moment 🙂
Very true!
janet
Lovely images.
Thanks, Pete.
Beautiful subjects and stunning pics….
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers, Anna. Happy New Year!
And you must be mega fit!
I try!
Ah, you are so dedicated, Tish!
I have begun covering the veggie area with grass cuttings. I am determined to get this no-dig thing working properly.
I can’t come close to your achievements this year, but I am harvesting beans already, and you have been an inspiration, no question.
I noticed gem squash were growing under the two fruit trees at the back so that will be something to look forward to.
The rest, I’ll just play by ear, time and enthusiasm allowing!
Like anything, it all takes time to learn, and you never stop either. Also gardening setbacks can be very dispiriting, and sometimes it seems easier to give up and go to the supermarket. But keep on, keeping on 🙂
I shall endeavour to grow more this year, hopefully with a better success rate as I can start some plants off indoors. I fancy some French beans and more lettuce, maybe courgettes! We shall see. I will take my lead from you 🙂
Marvelous pictorial review…
Thanks, Sally 🙂
Though the yield of my little garden is sparse, I so look forward to the process of planting, growing and harvesting.
It’s always exciting however small your planting is. Just the thrill of growing something 🙂
The produce looks amazing, the Borlotti beans are stunning!
I caught them at sunset for some added glow 🙂
Love this review, Tish. I agree that January seems to be the time when my gardening sap begins to rise, as well. I have to keep it in check, though. Here, our spring comes later than it does in your area. (un)Luckily, we’ve a number of snowfalls and deep freezes yet to come, all of which are about as effective a vaccination against spring fever that there is. 🙂
Ah but the good thing about the freezes is that they check the bug populations. Here in the UK where we’ve been having fairly mild winters now for several years, the slugs and snails have been going bananas. Yikes!
A wonderfully bright retrospective and an evokes of splendid meals. You’re the queen of allotments!
I’m taking a bow, Meg, but actually my allotment chum Phoebe is queen. She lives up to her name on the gardening front and I simply follow in her wake 🙂
That’s the way to go -colourful and healthy! Thank you, Tish. I am honoured that you linked 🙂
My pleasure as always.
Mouthwatering photos but a bit over saturated for my eye. Best wishes for 2017. Just learned that MSF will be sending me to Manipur for a fortnight when I get back. Leaving tomorrow. Ian
Take your point over pix. Though I did want the images to look a bit ‘hyper’ on purpose. I’ve also been keeping well away from the Microsoft saturation facility 🙂 Have a good trip.
Maybe many of your readers are bleary eyed following the seasonal celebrations and need a bit of vibrant colour to cut through the fug
Feeling a bit that way myself, now you mention it, Doctor Ian 🙂
Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed in olive oil, minced (fresh, uncooked) garlic at the end, lightly toasted pine nuts and sea salt, so there.
Oh that does sound good, Bill. Am well put in my place 🙂
Beautiful choices for the top photos – and great that onion kept those beetles out.
And is pink onion the same as what we call red onion?
Well after seeing these photos and reading what was harvested – I need to go and eat!
Hi Yvette. Yes, I think the pink onions are a similar variety to the red ones. I can’t remember the name 0f the ones I grew now.
Mmmm
Well I just read that red onions are a pre-biotic – and they do more for the gut and juices in there – and so they have so many perks.
The yellow closing flower is also a photo that stayed with me – it kind of grabs a moment – from when those large blooms greet us to then their withering to then our veggie –
My sister’s mother n law makes little cakes with the yellow zucchini flowers.
Do you eat the flowers?
I haven’t eaten the flowers, but I always think fritters would be good. Also help control the zucchini glut. This year maybe I will harvest some 🙂
yes – that was what they were called – fritters…