A few weeks ago I planted broad beans, peas and onion sets in small pots and kept them in the greenhouse. I was beginning to despair of them making a show, and then this spell of good weather has done the trick. The onions have sprouted about 2" of leaves, and the beans and peas are now pushing their way upwards.

Encouraged by this I have now sown leeks in modules together with beetroot and 'All the Year Round' cauliflowers. The tomatoes and cucumber seed which I sowed in a propagator and kept on the window sill are about 3" high - so far so good!

The potatoes that I put in the greenhouse to chit seem reluctant to do so, not that I am too worried as I am frantically trying to finish digging over the veg. plot now that it has dried out a bit.

There isn't much left to eat of last year's crops - a few leeks, potatoes, onions and cooking apples and cabbage that refused to heart up. Most of the purple sprouting broccoli suffered during the worst of the winter weather and the stems rotted, but the garlic that I planted in October, survived and is now about 6" high.

Also shallots planted on the shortest day (21st December) are now showing green shoots - I think you are meant to harvest them on the longest day (21st June).

Unfortunately the neighbourhood cats dug them up frequently when using my beds as a toilet area.