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Well, the year is drawing to a close and I am settled down nicely beside the fire mugging up on vegetable seeds and looking at what to buy for next year. We had the first good frost on Nov 20th so I will start to lift the parsnips and get them into the casseroles. In a surge of “Dig for Victory” euphoria back in March I planted them in the flower borders as well as the vegetable patch. The problem is the tops die down in the winter so I need to find them before it’s too late! The weather has been mild so far, so I do venture out to do a bit of tidying but winter gardening is for the weather beaten.
There are vegetable and flower seeds that can be sowed in a greenhouse to get off to a flying start in the spring, but gardening should be a leisurely pursuit not a Le Mans style mad dash. I still haven’t forgotten getting hit by a late frost in April this year and losing most of the vegetable seedlings. I am going to go with the seasons and not try to get ahead of them.
Aquadulce Claudia Broad Beans can be planted this time of year, but I will go for Exhibition Longpod in March which provides a bumper crop in August. The Cobra Climbing Beans and Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans are on the list and will go in the sunniest spot next year. Swift Sweetcorn is another must with a wonderful flavour. Gladiator is the parsnip of choice and Badger Cross for Marrows. Personally, I am looking for girth in a Marrow so it can be cut into stacks, the seeds hollowed out and then stuffed with mince and onions, bolognese, curry or chilli. A new discovery is chorizo, bacon and tomato which works well with stuffed marrow and is also great with fish. Rocket for early Potatoes which lives up to its name and Picasso for maincrop which is the best mash known to man. That leaves Leeks which I will think about for a while… this year’s were a flop! I would love to do more but can’t squeeze any more into the patch. All the berry fruits can be planted as bare roots this month as well as Raspberry canes and Strawberries.
It’s amazing how many jobs you can think up while sitting by the fire. Personally, I enjoy the break which combined with Lockdown enables me to recuperate and recharge before March comes round and it starts all over again. That’s the seed order nearly completed, next on the list is the wine order. I have discovered a curious little white wine called Alborino which has Sulphites added and makes a lovely long drink when spritzered with soda water plus the Veltliner which is halfway between a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio and a good party wine... but will there be a party? Come on Boris don’t be a pooper otherwise we will all be raking up leaves this Xmas.
Whatever happens, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and if the worst comes to the worst we can all have a party on Zoom.
We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
