After a dry season in 2006, I had anticipated a similar year in 2007 so dug in extra humus where required and prepared watering funnels to place between the crops. As it turned out, it was a predominantly wet summer which generally produced better crops than expected.

The season started unseasonably mild so I risked sowing some crops early, but they did not prosper and then there was a cold spell. February and March were mild then a months worth of rain fell in two days and the allotment was flooded. Luckily the water subsided quickly and no damage was suffered. Summer progressed warmly then there was substantial rain.

Poor results were had with Turnips which rotted soon after reaching maturity, even afer a second sowing. All Onions were lost to the blight. All Potatoes and Tomatoes were quickly overcome by blight, however, I managed to harvest my potatoes in time and had a really good crop from the maincrop varieties, lasting right through to the end of the year. The Swedes did not mature again this year and locals say that they can not be grown here although I did succeed in my first year. Early sowings of Parsnips failed.

Average results from Lettuce and soft fruit except Loganberries. The Leeks pulled through this year but did not reach their expected size.

Good results from Parsnips after two failed sowings. Spinach did well as opposed to very poor results last year when it was dry. The Brassicas came good eventually after a poor start and I had the best Brussels Sprouts I can remember. Most rootcrops did very well, especially Scorzonera, Salsify and the third sowing of Parsnip. The early Carrots were excellent but the autumn crop deteriorated.

Experimental varieties (new to me) were the Jerusalem Artichokes and Curly Kale. The Artichokes did well but, as warned, they are very invasive. The flavour does take some getting used to. The Curly Kale variety was Neor di Toscana and looks like Prince of Wales feathers but has no taste.