Keeping pace with the seasons

This year, because of the strange weather patterns, it is hard to tell where one season finishes and another begins, but since it's August already I'm beginning to think more about Winter crops than Summer ones.

The Purple Sprouting Broccoli is in and growing away - most of it, that is. Some plants are affected by Cabbage Root Fly and don't look as good as this:

The Cavolo Nero, which is beginning to darken now, seems unaffected by the Cabbage Root Fly so far.

The Brussels Sprouts are looking quite good, producing large numbers of huge leaves:

Tiny sprouts are just beginning to form in the leaf axils:

The Summer Cabbages are hearting-up nicely, and should be ready soon.

Even the Red Cabbage is beginning to look as if it might do OK (last year it was pathetic), though it won't be fully mature for another couple of months yet.

The Parsnips are a mixed bag - the ones I sowed in the first batch look great, with lots of strong leaf suggesting decent-sized roots down below:

But the second batch is looking very weak indeed - sparse, yellowish foliage and lots of gaps:

Both lots were from the same two packets of seeds (half of each type used in each batch), so I can only suppose that the weather is to blame again.

I tipped out my two containers of Carrots a couple of days ago, because I wanted to use the plastic boxes for Autumn / Winter crops. Because the foliage had died down almost completely I thought that any remaining carrots were unlikely to grow any further and since I had already had a couple of pickings from these containers I didn't expect to find many more actual carrots. I was pleasantly surprised:

Whilst individually not very big, these little "finger" carrots are beautifully sweet and tasty, and take up very little space. I thoroughly recommend growing some if you can find a suitable location (i.e. one that you can protect from Carrot Fly infestation).

Now that the carrots are gone, I have sowed Spring Onions in one of the boxes, and "Golden Ball" turnips in the other  It seems really odd to be sowing Spring onions for a Winter crop, but the variety I have used is bred specially for this purpose. It is the hardy version of "White Lisbon". If you are planning to grow these, just be aware that there are two varieties, one for Spring sowing and the other for Autumn.

**************************************************************************************

P.S. Anybody want to vote for me in the Achica Blogs Award competition?  I'm in the shortlist of 3 Gardening blogs, and I stand to win £500, so please spend a minute to vote for me!

http://www.achica.com/achicaliving/2012/08/vote-for-your-favourite-blog-in-the-achica-blog-awards-2012/

Thank you.