Is this Winter?

Purple sprouting broccoli

This time last year we had the 'Beast from the East', with temperatures here down to -14°C. This year could not be more different - temperatures up to 20°C with a clear blue sky. Things are coming on very early as a result. Our daffodils are in bloom a month early. Mind you, we are not over winter yet, so planting tender crops must wait! I fully expect snow in March, or at least more frosts.
The picture shows my purple sprouting broccoli, which is doing well. I picked some this morning, together with the first rhubarb of the year. I had put my wheelbarrow upside down over this to protect it from the worst of the weather, and it looks good. Two things to look forward to this evening!
I  have also just planted spring shallots and onion sets. The winter onion sets still look good, but of course when you plant them you cannot say how the winter will be, and how many will survive. So now I have lots of onions!
I've also planted some carrot  and leek seeds, and broad beans and kalettes at home. I'd never heard of kalettes until recently, but they are like flowering sprouts, ie instead of making sprouts with tight buds, they make much more open buds. They taste like sweet, nutty, sprouts - or crispy seaweed if roasted. Delicious.
Also starting early are strawberries, so I've been tidying these up. Next it will be feeding with blood, fish and bone, then mulching with a layer of chippings to keep the fruit away from the slugs.