It has been a good year for onions indeed. As part of an experiment I sowed the first batch mid November 2016 and they grew well. I sowed a second batch on New Years Day 2017. One of each of these I grew in the greenhouse.
The experiment did not go as I would have thought and the onions in the greenhouse went over weeks ago. The largest which was the November sowing only weighing 1lb 11oz.
The onions which I grew in a raised bed on top of a black membrane just kept growing. They had the same treatment as the onions in the greenhouse, including the same feed and at the same times. I did loose a couple of the outside onions, but on the whole they have done very well indeed, with the largest this year weighing in at a whopping 4lb 7oz! I also had a few onions just short of this mark.
I know from last year that these large onions do not store very well, so following a short drying-off in the greenhouse I will give as many away as I can.
Last year I managed to grow an onion that was over 3lb. This was grown outside in the raised bed. This I was very pleased with, but I wished that I tried to grow one in the greenhouse to see if it would grow even bigger. Protected from winds I thought I could grow a four pounder!
I was very kindly given onion seeds for my birthday last year and sowed them in the middle of November 2016. These came on very well and did not suffer any damage from frosts in the greenhouse. I was given a second batch of seed at Christmas, and planted the second batch on New Years day 2017. I was hoping that the earlier sowing would benefit from a longer growing season.
The experiment has not worked out as I thought. The two onions that I have in the greenhouse have gone-over so I have had to lift them. The New Year sowing weighed in at 1lb 5oz, while the November 2016 sowing was a little heavier at 1lb 11oz. Not the result I had expected.
The outdoor onions are still growing and are visibly larger than the greenhouse onions. I will lift and weigh them when they are ready, and I’m sure I have at least one three pounder.
Managing to protect most of the crop this year, the first pods are picked and are heading for the kitchen, if they ever make it that far!
I cut hard back last year all the raspberry canes, and did not expect to get much from them this season but they have shot away again.
The late croppers are yet to flower, the main and early varieties have produced a good number of fruits, a jam is on its way I think.
A very kind gift from a fellow allotmenteer of twelve very grateful tomato plants.
It’s not often that we get such a run of dry, hot weather.
The watering regime is exhaustive.
The temperature, with all the doors and windows open in the greenhouse at 10:00 is close to 100 degrees, and will only rise further at midday!
As the sun began to set at the allotment tonight, the birds as usual begin to find high vantage points for their evening avian chorus.
Its quite late but I have just bought the seed potatoes for this year.
Picture of four varieties of seed potato – Nadine, Catriona, Arran Pilot and Duke of York
Il keep these for a while and begin planting around Easter.
These Onions I sowed mid November 2016. Let’s see if the early sowing grants even larger onions this year. I note that year (2016) I potted-on the large onions in March, so this year these are really ahead of the game.
Picture of Ailsea onion seedlings next to a small seedling trowel on top a a wooden potting bench
Picture of a tray of onion seedlings
Picture of a tray of onion seedlings
Again, planted with a pinch of Mycorrhizal to aid root growth.
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. – "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
look ye also 
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