Winter Veg Bed Completed

Many of you will know that I have committed to trying to extend the harvesting season in my garden by growing some more Autumn / Winter vegetables. This is not to say that I never grow any Winter veg - I do. For instance, for the last two years I have grown some Brussels Sprouts, which have been really worthwhile, but my skills in this area are improving with practice, and I want to do more. Last year, my Brussels Sprouts looked great until the dreaded Cabbage White butterflies arrived. From then onwards it was a constant battle between them and me - and one in which I was not totally successful. This year I have netted my Sprouts almost from the start, so I have "stolen a march" on the butterflies!

As you can see, the Sprouts have got pretty big already.

The two smaller "Tenderstem" Broccoli plants in the middle of the bed had better get a move on, otherwise their light will all be blocked off!

Elsewhere, I have one of my six main raised beds devoted entirely to Winter Veg. In it I now have 7 Cabbages (of 3 types), 16 Leeks ("Toledo"), and 4 Swede Turnips ("Ruby").

These are the Leeks, standing up straight amongst a forest of anti-cat sticks:

Here is Cabbage "Predzvest". The inner leaves are just beginning to curl inwards in preparation for forming the heart:

This is "Caramba":

And this is "Tundra", its Savoy parentage already showing in the crinkly and saw-edged leaves:
The Swedes are not looking too good at present. Their leaves are very pale and not at all glossy. I put this down yet again to poor compost. I expect they are relieved to be out in real soil at last!

I know it will be a long time before I harvest these things, but the very fact that they are there and growing gives me a certain satisfaction, and something to look forward to, even after the Summer veg comes to an end!