December

December has been a wonderful month!

Lots of chocolate and biscuits and snacking because it’s Christmas! That’s always my excuse anyway 😂

There has also been some gardening and walking you’ll be pleased to hear.

The weather hasn’t been the best but we have had a few dry days which has meant I’ve managed to plant even more bulbs, mulch the garden and do a few jobs on the plot.

I’ve planted some onion sets into pots as the ground was frozen and then covered in snow beginning of the month so by planting in small pots they can start growing and I can plant out later when the weather improves. I’ve used the RocketGro fruit & veg compost in small pots which will be perfect for them.

I had a delivery of woodchip which I’ve spread onto some of the paths. It’s amazing the difference a fresh mulch of woodchip makes! I’ve also spread some onto my flower bed to help suppress the weeds.

I’ve cleared one of the greenhouses so far, next dry day I’ll clear the other and hopefully clean the glass too 🤞

I’ve also lifted and split one of my rhubarb crowns which has given me 2 extra plants so they’ve been planted at the end of the flower bed which is slightly more shaded.

This year’s parsnips have been amazing! I’ve lifted them all now and they’re storing in the garage but I don’t think they’ll be there long as I’ve lots of ideas lined up for them.

This is the first year I’ve managed to grow parsnips (only tried once before) and the rich Rocket Gro compost plus fresh seeds has been a real winner!

This month I also started growing some mushrooms that were very kindly sent to me from FatFox Mushrooms. I’ve got a box of Blue Oyster mushrooms and one of Pink Oyster. It’s amazing how quickly they grow! I’d highly recommend growing mushrooms especially over the colder winter months when us gardeners are desperate to get growing!

Reflecting back over 2023, although the weather has been the worst I’ve ever known for growing we’ve still had a fabulous year with all those lovely harvests and I’m really looking forward to growing again in 2024 especially as I’m pleased to say, I’ll be a RocketGrower again for the coming year!

I hope you all have a fabulous time celebrating the New Year and planning the growing season ahead 💚