Although we still have 2 more of the raised beds to finish off, we decided it was about time to plant the onions and shallots. Planted up 2 of the smaller beds and half the big L-shape bed with about 30 (2 rows) of 'Eschallotes Grise' - a new variety we're trying this year, several rows of 'Yellow Moon' shallots and 'Red Cross' onions. Oh and there was also a variety of white onion that I've forgotten the name of just now. To finish it off and make sure the birds don't pull them up - MJC covered the planted up beds with netting. 
However that's only about 3/4 of the onions that we ordered and I've still to plant out the garlic (4 heads). I've decided though to plant the garlic in small pots first, so that they don't get too waterlogged over winter and then transplant them into the new beds in early spring. Just hope I've got enough pots!!
I'm glad our nextdoor neighbours are garlic fans like us as the smell that wafted from our backyard would have seen off lurking vampires within at least a 10 mile radius.
So grabbed a couple of big handfuls to take round to friends (along with some potatoes and garlic) to say thanks for looking after the kittens the other weekend. The courgettes are starting to flower so not long to wait until the fruit start swelling. I'll give it a week until we pick our first one. 
The shallots have all flopped over so I don't think they're far off harvesting.
The blackcurrants are already flowering and there are lots of clusters of them on the plants so maybe another bumper crop? Mmmm blackcurrant jam!
The gooseberries are also blooming. Gooseberry fool or crumble? Tough choice!
The ramsons also seem to thriving where we've planted them by producing some pretty but smelly flowers.
The garlic is looking lush and healthy. I wonder if it's had enough cold to split properly into cloves? Well I'll have to be patient and wait until summer... The shallots have sprung into life.
And finally just had to take a picture of one of the artichoke plants from above because it makes a perfect star shape.
