Happy New Year!

The change of year was not white this year, but more typically wet and windy. Today the damp clouds have lifted but there’s an irritating high wind. I checked the gardens and the compost site – my first visit this year.

In the shady triangle, there is evidence of the bulbs we planted in the Autumn: yipee! Green shoots are pushing through at the apex to the triangle and along the back of the garden nearest the station platform. These must be the areas that get the most light.

The compost is looking like compost should post-Christmas: lots of trimmings from sprouts, winter vegetables such as potatoes and parsnip, and mandarine peelings. So far, no sign of uninvited guests from the wilder community overwintering. The squirrels however have been recasting the surface of our vegetable beds, which are now pitted with some deep holes.

In the gated plot, the frisee lettuce seedlings, the cavalo nero and the chard are all doing fine; the North facing wall must have protected them from the cold winds and the few light frosts we’ve had this winter. Astonishingly, the artichoke plant we inherited back in June is doing well, though the BBC advises cutting it back in winter and covering the crown with bark chippings, and then mulching with well-rotted manure in early spring. All in good time … .