Geweldig! Chicons de l'obscurité!

Hurrah! First harvest of home forced witloof. Taking off the cover and lifting up the lid after three weeks, I wasn't sure if the forcing would work as I didn't lift and store the roots in November. However...



Five heads, 15cm long and nice and plump. I cut the middle one which wasn't very tight, and it was delicious. Crisp, slight bitterness and good 'clean' lettuce/endive/chicory flavour, and far superior to shop bought.
I have to say in the 3 and a bit seasons of growing this has been the highlight so far, as it's a personal favourite and because of the strange Belgian ritual to it; providing winter salad and the necessary ingredient for the wonderful chicons au gratin.

I hope the once being forced in situ on the plot come up. Might start exporting to Belgium next year.

Back into time

Looking back at this time last year, even with the snow, frost, and rain I am so far ahead of then. Hopefully, this means I can have a really production growing season and keep on top of the weeds rather than spend the whole time just about holding them at bay.

Printemps, enfin!

What delightful day. Blue skies, no cold win and warm. Probably only 10c but it felt warmer after the recent spell. Yesterday was good too, parts of the soil on the plot are still a bit heavy for digging but I managed to get lot of clearing up done.


Received a large gooseberry bush today which went in a the end of the fruit area. The remainder of this area will become the herb bed and that will take the celeriac and witloof instead. After planting in the bush I covered the whole of the bottom end of the fruit area including the raspberry canes with a layer of compost from heap no. 1. The soil is heavy here so I hope the worms will work in the compost; it should act as a mulch too and keep down a few weeds (and propagate many more no doubt). I will move the herbs over when it's a little drier.

The spud bed received another digging and I did more of the old brassica bed, all that remains to do on this one is the corner with about 10 kale plants on, they'll be done in a couple of weeks, so I can finish this off then.

The last major task was begun, the squash bed got turned over again, I hope it will dry off a little over the next few days so the soil falls from the sods and couch grass roots easily. I'm hoping to get that done this weekend. It will then need another turning over to remove any roots that broke off from the turfs when they were dug.