Sunday 15 January 2012

On A Cold And Frosty Morning

Yesterday morning, we had our first proper frost of the year, followed by the second today. We've only had a couple of very light frosts previously, which haven't really touched the ground. Hubby has been to the allotment today to fetch some veg and he managed to dig up some parnips. The top couple of inches of earth were frozen but other than that, the ground wasn't too hard. I think that winter might finally be on it's way.

I'm really pleased with my cabbages this year, though Hubby brought the last home with him from the allotment today. I'm unsure of the variety as the seed was sown in a hurry after my original seedlings were eaten by slugs, and I never got round to labelling them. I shall certainly grow more next year so that they last longer in to winter.

Hubby also brought home some purple sprouting broccoli from the allotment. It's not supposed to be ready until about February, but I started harvesting it in November. Perhaps it will slow down a little now that the frosts are here.

16 comments:

  1. Yes, we have had "proper" frost too these last couple of days. Funny how we actually wish for cold weather sometimes! I think a bit of really cold weather is good for the garden. Hopefully it will kill off a few of the pests for us.

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  2. Not much sign of our purple broccoli yet. Might be ready in a couple of months.

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  3. Hi Jo! It looks like we have the same weather pattern as yours. We just had our first frost, but no snow yet. I have parsley, oregano and chives still going, that's it. I am surprised how late you are harvesting!
    Stay warm!

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  4. Even London had frosts this weekend! Hoping my herbs will survive the shock as I depend on them in my cooking. Well done having fresh veg to eat - how lovely to taste fresh psb and cabbage, yum!

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  5. I don't believe it - you too have beaten me to it with frosty pictures! Now I'll look like a copy cat when mine go up! But they've been sitting waiting for me to hit publish!

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  6. There's been a lot of things that have come early with the mild winter...I don't have broccoli this year ...in fact there was a lot I didn't have but I plan to make better use of the winter next year!!

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  7. No frost here in Dublin yet. still waiting to see if my purple sprouting brocolli will give me a crop.

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  8. I must grow more parsnip next year as they are so good in everything, from soups to stews to casseroles. As is cabbage!

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  9. Brrrrrrrrr but reassuring to see proper frost Jo after all this unseasonal mild weather. Looks cold out there again this morning. Must get to allotment this week to see what is happening with my purple sprouting broccoli.

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  10. Third day of frost here - on the plus side it will be good for the garlic and the parsnips yet to be harvested. My savoy cabbages seem to be loving it also - and they look so pretty.

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  11. First real frosts here, too this weekend, Jo. I know it's probably good for the garden to get some frost. Slow down some of those plants that were racing towards spring but I had started tog et into Spring mode myself and now I'm just itching to get out and start doing things. Will have to be patient I guess.

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  12. It is always rewarding to be able to gather your winter crops and they look so beautiful when they are frosted up

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  13. I was actually starting to wonder if we were going to get a winter this year, Mark. The weather has been so mixed up this year that I wouldn't have been surprised.

    Hubby harvested quite a lot of purple broccoli yesterday, Martyn. We're having roast chicken tonight so I'm looking forward to eating it with that.

    I think you spoke too soon, Tatyana, I see you have snow now. I'm enjoying having plenty to harvest from the allotment through winter, definitely worth the effort.

    Hope your herbs survived the frost, Caro. I'm looking forward to tonight's meal, we're having cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli, leeks and parsnips, all from the allotment.

    It makes a change for me to blog about something before you, Sue, it's usually me who's looking like the copy cat. Anyway, I wouldn't be expecting you to post about sunshine if I'm posting about frost, you're only down the road.

    I hardly had anything at the allotment last year, Tanya. I made a real effort this year to make sure there were things there to harvest through winter, and I'm really pleased I did, I'll be doing the same again ready for next winter.

    I'm sure your purple sprouting broccoli will come good, The Cookie Jar. It shouldn't really be producing yet, so there's still plenty of time.

    I've had the straightest parsnips I've ever grown this year, Kelli. It makes a change from the stumps I usually harvest. There's only me and my daughter who like them so there's plenty left yet.

    We woke up to a frost again this morning, Anna, but it's been lovely and sunny today. Everywhere is stil frosted this afternoon, but a bit of sunshine really lifts the spirits.

    Brassicas look really pretty covered in frost, Suburban Veg Gardener, and they can stand the cold, luckily. I wonder if I'll be able to taste the difference of my frosted parsnips.

    I think we all start itching to get going at this time of year, Wellywoman. This mild weather has certainly lulled us in to thinking that spring is on it's way, though I think we've got lots of frost to come yet.

    Winter crops do look good covered in frost, Elaine. They certainly give a good photo opportunity.

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  14. Hi Jo,

    I long to grow my own vegeatables but my garden is literally the size of a postage stamp and the waiting list for an allotment is about five years, I will just have to enjoy reading about your vege growing adventures for now.........it's been frosty all day here today, cold but very pretty. x

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  15. It's great that there's still some homegrown crops to eat at this time of year. Hard frosts here now too at last, managed to get the garlic in beforehand so hoping it wasn't too late.

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  16. You could always grow veg in containers, Lily. I grew all manner of things in containers before I got my allotment and they did really well. It also gives you some experience of veg growing whilst you wait for an allotment plot to become available.

    The frost will be doing your garlic good, Damo. It sounds like you got it in just in time for it to benefit. It's great still being able to eat home grown veg at this time of year.

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