The Cottage Smallholder

I would like some advice also- have planted potatoes which I expected to be ready around december as they were planted late, but have grown like the clappers due to the warm wether we had earler this month/late September- how owuld i protect the grwth against frosts- I have already earthed them up in a large mound- but they have really outgrown the mound by a fair margin.

sorry about the spelling in last post- had to rush as the dog was trying to eat my lunch- did not check before posting.

We have also "Twinkle" peas growing- going to harvest some pea sticks later, although the label says they are self supporting- which seems to be the case as they are linking up with each others tendrils. Broad and dwarf french beans are just starting to make an appearnce, leaks and chives are doing OK, and the broccoli, under mesh cloches seem to be thriving. I think the same will be tue as for the potatoes- may need extra protection when it gets frosty- any thoughts anyone?.

Oh by the way- we eat all the container grown potato harvest- to good to replant.

Husband's just put some spuds in, to see what happens with them, but that's about the extent of our winter growing of veg so far.  He's considering garlic and Japanese onions though.

Just been out and "fleeced" the potatoes- although it was not over cold last night, the taller stems are sagging a bit- so they are under cover now. We expect either tonight or tomorrow night that ground frost will appear for the first time for us this Autumn, so will keep my fingers crossed that the fleece does its job.

Also laid a layer over the emerging broad and dwarf bean seedlings as well.

Although it was very cold here in Sunny Suffolk last winter we did not have to many problems with heavy snow- it did snow now and then, and we had to dig out the drive/roadway, but was OK to get out and about.

Always got snow when I lived in Perth and Kinross. The only unknown was how much, so we were better prepared there- here it is hit and miss- sometimes very mild sometimes very cold.

Martin