Adventures in a Poly Tunnel - December 2017

The end of the year and the time when we gardeners look forward to starting again. Soon we'll be able to start sowing seeds in the UK. I think I usually start a few broad beans in January but, of course, it's best to wait for most things. Sowing too early rarely does any good. 
I am just soaking some peas to plant for pea shoots. Apparently you can do that in the depths of winter.
Looking back at the year, I think I've made the most of it. There are always improvements but (hopefully) I'll learn from my mistakes.

Not much growing is happening in December. We've had some very cold weather so the plants are just existing until it warms up. I do minimal watering but there are still some things to harvest. Most things are not very picturesque just now and much tidying is needed. 

 Lettuce - I just pick a few leaves as I need them. 

 Perpetual spinach.

 Winter sunshine sweet peas. I should plant these in the border. I'll look for a spare space but most of the ground is still full. I'm hoping to get some early flowers by growing them inside. 

 Tangle of chillis waiting to be cut. I've just pulled up the plant. 

 I finally dug up all the dahlia tubers. They are drying here then I will tuck them into the soil under my bench. Each one has two labels so hopefully I will still know what they are in March. 

 Tidying up the Cavolo Nero is a job for a winter day. 

 A tiny Romanesco cauliflower. So far only big enough for a Nouveau cuisine recipe but stunningly beautiful.

Harvesting inside and out:
Cavolo nero
Red Russian kale
Chard
Spring onioins
Spinach
Chillis
Lettuce
Rocket
Parsley
Garlic chives

Nighttime low - -4 ∘C 
Daytime high - 29 ∘C Doors at one end may have been closed but it does get very toasty on a sunny day.

Little things in a vase on Monday.

I've got two little vases today so I can appreciate the detail of some small flowers. 

The first is Nasturtiums. I've got these growing over a patch of ground we are trying to tame and I've been admiring these lovely creamy blooms. I planted tiny plants a month or two ago and now they are rambling all over or perhaps taking over is the right term.   I added some dark red ones as well. 

I did try them with their own foliage but it seemed too big so I added this Corydalis. I think it's just right. 

So cheerful. 

The second is a little jug of Dahlia 'Gallery Art Fair'. These do suffer a little in wet weather so it's best to bring them in out of the rain!

I hope you like my little jug. It came from a charity shop a few weeks ago for the vase sum of £1. 

They are mostly pure white but have a slight tinge of green in the very centre. 
For plenty of colourful and creative vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden - In a vase on Monday. 

How do you like my new neighbours? They are just outside my bedroom window. The parents work so hard and I think, by the timing, they must be on their second brood. 

Their flying skills are very impressive as the little gap is only about 1 inch and they do come in at speed.

I guess they'll be off soon and let the parents have a bit of a rest.