Tis the season – of winter vegetables

Brussels Sprouts are starting to mature.
The early frosts will improve their sweetness – and remember they are not just for eating at Christmas!
Tall brassicas such as brussel sprouts need to be checked for wind rock, which can damage the roots.
They may require staking for extra support and remember to refirm the soil around the base of the plants periodically.
Leeks can be harvested now but they keep well in the ground so only dig up what you need.
Parsnips and swede can also be left in the ground and dug up as required.
If severe cold weather is expected, cover the crops with straw to prevent the soil freezing.
This will make harvesting far easier during the cold snap.
Check stored vegetables, especially potatoes, and remove anything that has started to rot before it spreads.
Now is a good time to do some double digging, incorporating manure into the bottom of the trench and deepening your topsoil.
This is especially useful if you are planning to grow the deeper rooting vegetables.
In the fruit garden take hardwood cuttings of soft fruit including gooseberries, and red, white and black currants.
These can all be propagated by cuttings inserted in the open ground now by choosing sturdy well ripened shoots 20-30cm long of this year's growth, cutting them just below a bud and trimming to just above a bud.
Insert them into the soil to about half their length.
Finally, take a well earned rest and study those seed catalogues for next year.
It's surprising how quickly sowing time comes around.
I hope you have had a successful gardening year and wish you all a happy New Year and prosperous growing season in 2010.