A new year. Not that a circle has a start or a finish.

Horrible wet weather, but at least it's mild. Ysabel and I retreated into the greenhouse and potted on Lavender Hidcote, Lemon Grass and some Basils. The latter are very healthy at present but I suspect the blousy Bolloso Napoletano will suffer in the damp late summer, so the small leaved Fino is probably a better bet for Autumn basil. In both cases I reckoned it was best to plant them on top of a mound of compost in their pots to help air circulate.

The allotment is a mess and the 'orchard' a field: but they're both producing more than I deserve. The swedes are swelling and the kales are many and varied. Yesterday there were three types of endive waiting to be shredded into a salad. Which was fortunate because there's a two week hole in my lettuce succession. Lots of greenhouse tomatoes to dice and cover in a simple balsamic vinegar and basil dressing. The Autumn crops in the garden beds are thriving in this weather. It's definitely a plus to have herbs and salad crops near the house as the weather deteriorates.