I have been potting-on tomatoes & setting them out in the greenhouse. This year I am growing plenty of sauce types and trying not to over crowd the plants; though I will probably sneak a few small peppers & tomatoes between the Piennolo del Vesuvio & Roma.


Elephant Garlic in the big Air-Pot raised bed should be bulbing up now. They were planted around the shortest day & will be lifted around the longest day. It is a useful over winter crop and can be cleared early, leaving time for a second crop of carrots or squash.

Some leek seedlings which have been raised in pots are going to be planted out at the plot when they are a bit bigger. Leek transplants are often given a trim of their roots before dibbing into holes. I am growing some in shallow Air-Pot trays & some in deeper pots to see if air-pruning of roots shorter or longer is best when planting out. Possibly shorter air-pruned roots will not need trimming?

Soy Beans generally need hotter conditions than in my northern garden, but I got hold of a few Black Hokkaido beans which are said to be a fairly cold-tolerant type. I am growing them in a pot as they are precious and I am hoping to increase numbers for bigger plantings next year.

The new growth of the tea bush is looking bright & luscious, only the finest Scottish tips go into our afternoon brew.
