Mixed fortunes

The first worry of the new year has arrived. The tomato seeds planted have failed to germinate. One solitary wispy stem pointed its way out of the tray with all its siblings pots being empty, the still-born seeds hidding under the compost. These were Mr Fothergill's Red Cherry tomato seeds are are perhaps not hardy enough for up here. They have been hastily replaced by a tray of Moneymaker courtesy of Lidl. Perhaps it will not be too late for a crop of tomatos this year.

On the positive side there are signs of life in the garden. The Garlic has sprouted and stubby green thumbs stick up through the soil. The beetroot has given a small red band of germinbating seedlings, too small to photograph without a serious macro lens. The onions are looking healthy and pretending to be a bumper crop. Fingers crossed.