about the third week in to the new year there always seems a week that's almost like spring. it makes you think its just there, after the weekend



every year february always catches me out - the longest month surely - but i'm in good company, the daffs are starting to flower, some wallflowers too, the odd peach has swollen buds, and the snowdrops are everywhere

at last, two definite additions to Otter Farm this spring

cardomom (mostly in the polytunnel) - and rivalling the szechuan pepper for Number 1 Otter Farm smell experience



and grapes - the vineyard to be....more soon

....hanging on in the pecan orchard

I'm not quite sure why so many books suggest cutting globe artichoke plants back to ground level for the winter....we've found the chokes keep coming well into the cold patch, we even ate them fresh cut last Christmas Day



better than that, the old flowerheads are too beautiful to miss

the first early broad beans showing their faces

Not as with every winter, I'm making sure the polytunnel does more than keep plants of a more delicate disposition warmer than they might be...they're being properly productive



the kales, the jagged-leaf mizuna, rocket and salads haven't stopped



and having a reason to go harvesting day in day out keeps me aware of any problems that might arise, but (more importantly) in seeing the plants that have already arrived everyday it makes the planning (that doesn't leave my head for a day at the moment) rooted in reality, what they look like, their structure and how they will relate to each other in their place

As every winter, I'm spending far too much time umming and aahing about what's to be added to Otter Farm this year....the odd edible bamboo in the odd damp patch



and the occasional windbreak of new zealand flax (a fantastic tying material with vey tasty nectar)



but what else?