A year in my veg patch

At the moment, the only things growing in my veg patch are garlic and parsley. But like wisps of hair on an adolescent boy’s chin, they are signs that more growth is on the way.

It’s time to start thinking about what I want to sow this year.

Last year, the mangetout (Oregon Sugar Pod) was a big success. It started tentatively and I feared it might never break through the soil. Then the warm weather arrived and I had more mangetout than I could eat for almost a month. 

The squash (Waltham Butternut and Red Kuri) took their time – needing an extra two months on the windowsill to ripen – but when they finally made it into the pot they were sweet and mushy in all the right ways.

This year, I’ll try an early squash (Early Butternut) in the hope it will ripen by September, experiment with some more Asian salad leaves (I just grew mustard “Red Giant” last year and really needed more variety).

I’ll also try fennel for the first time, as well as some kale to get me through the winter. Herbs-wise, I’ll have a go at flat leaf parsley and coriander as they grow well in the colder months. Roll on Spring!