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next year. So here are my allotment New Year resolutions for 2009:I must grow crops that don't require regular picking as I don't live close enough to the plot to get there more than a couple of times a week. That's just not enough to harvest runner

. But it's uncommonly cold at the moment and everything is suffering. The leeks and parsnips are frozen into the ground and are impossible to harvest, but a good frost is thought to sweeten the flavour of parsnips so the wait should be worth it.My Brussels

a bit of blight. I always raise a couple of plants at home, as they're handy for harvesting, and there is less blight about than up on the allotments. I've grown 'Gardener's Delight' for the allotment and 'Marmande' and 'Tumbler' for home. Since Paul

two beds with one variety growing in each - 'Florence' and 'Honeyoe'. They've been in the ground for four years and are in their harvesting prime. Add to that plenty of sunshine and a timely dry spell that's keeping the slugs and snails at bay, and you

but my vegetables certainly have. The beans have grown well beyond the tops of their poles and have produced a good few handfuls to harvest, which will sort out a few meals this week.My herbs and rocket have rocketed away and are good for a few salads

shall you reap" reminder that if he wants a garage full of produce come the autumn, we'd better get it all in the ground now.We've got all the spuds in - we're growing lots of different ones this year in an effort to spread the harvesting so we get lots

! (That's ley lines and crystal-wielding mystics - oh and pubs too!).Anyway back to the sweetcorn which I've been harvesting and what a mixed bag I've got this year. Last year's crop was simply perfection - beautiful sturdy cobs studded with plump kernels

on the plot, it's time for the pre-Christmas dinner harvest - only I've cocked up a bit this year! After growing the most gorgeous little button sprouts last year, it dawned on me in September that I hadn't grown any at all this season. I've brassicas aplenty

pigeons.Over autumn they developed hearts and throughout the winter months they've endured rain, winds and last weekend's hail and snow. I've been harvesting them selectively, trying to save them for special roast dinners with friends as they're so good

it with another job like harvesting so I don't get fed up. By only working on one bed at a time I avoid getting overwhelmed by the enormity of the job. But it always amazes me how much I manage to get done in one session by plodding my steady way through the beds