The marigolds fronting Ted's plot are so bright and cheerful, even on the dullest day.
I'm never quite sure if there's anyone out there who reads this Blog but it is, in the first instance, intended as a personal diary. The fact that I do get the occasional contact is a real bonus. I suppose I could add one of those counter things - but then, I could be very disappointed by the results. It appears that my last entry was about three weeks ago. A lot has happened during this period, and very little of it would have been very interesting to anyone but my close family. As regards the plot, well I did make the occasional visit to check it out, and bring home the harvest, and now and then I met some of my fellow plotters down there. Here's a shot of Eric, my neighbouring plotholder. Whilst digging up his immense Epicure potatoes he found this spud had grown through an old metal bolt.
The update is, that Mike has had his surgery to remove a tumour from his brain. He is now home and making a good recovery. He's rather sleepy and hasn't regained his usual robust appetite yet, but apart from this, he's almost back to the 'old' Mike. This morning he made me a Full English Breakfast! He has just corrected me "No it wasn't a FEB - there was no black pudding and sausage". Thanks to all our friends and family for their support, and in particular his surgeon and team.
As for the plot, well as other plotters will agree, we are at the start of a courgette glut and moving into the bean glut. I spent about an hour on the plot yesterday, and struggled home with two heavy baskets filled with round and long courgettes, carrots, runner beans, giant lettuce and even more sweetpeas. I couldn't manage the beetroot as planned. The flower bed fronting the plot is a mass of green nicotiana, flowering dill, red (not what I'd planned but looks good) and white gladioli, agastache and vibernaum, and wigwams of rather over-enthusiastic ornamental gourds, which I have to prune back occasionally, otherwise they'd swamp everything else. I've now lifted all the garlic - the first lot is hanging up in the kitchen, and the second batch is completing its drying out in my mini greenhouse. (Must check that it isn't getting wet again, as it is absolutely pouring today). Mini and winter squash plants are in flower, and beginning to produce their fruits (or are they veg?). The peas are almost over, but the remains of some broad beans have se
nt out new shoots and flowers, so I could get another small crop. I'm continuing to thin out the carrots which I've grown in containers, and the baby ones are good, with no carrot fly damage - so far. The apples and plums are ripening well, and I came home yesterday with a small container of Autumn Bliss raspberries. As for the rhubarb, well it just keeps producing. I spent some time tidying up the sweetpeas, taking off any seedheads, unnecessary stems, dead foliage etc, then I brought home two large bunches of them. Before leaving I watered just about everything. Then I sat on the bench outside my shed (as seen in the photo) and all was good with the world.
nt out new shoots and flowers, so I could get another small crop. I'm continuing to thin out the carrots which I've grown in containers, and the baby ones are good, with no carrot fly damage - so far. The apples and plums are ripening well, and I came home yesterday with a small container of Autumn Bliss raspberries. As for the rhubarb, well it just keeps producing. I spent some time tidying up the sweetpeas, taking off any seedheads, unnecessary stems, dead foliage etc, then I brought home two large bunches of them. Before leaving I watered just about everything. Then I sat on the bench outside my shed (as seen in the photo) and all was good with the world.Back at home, 
we've sampled one or two of our first Sungold toms, and all the tomato, chilli etc plants are burgeoning, so hopefully a good crop this year. I must say I am rather puzzled and upset that my main grape vine is not doing too well. It looks healthy enough, but I did notice how slow it was to flower, and that not many grapes have formed on the bunches. However, the other one, against the garage wall is better than ever. It was from this one, with its rather tart fruit, that I made some delicious grape jelly last year.
we've sampled one or two of our first Sungold toms, and all the tomato, chilli etc plants are burgeoning, so hopefully a good crop this year. I must say I am rather puzzled and upset that my main grape vine is not doing too well. It looks healthy enough, but I did notice how slow it was to flower, and that not many grapes have formed on the bunches. However, the other one, against the garage wall is better than ever. It was from this one, with its rather tart fruit, that I made some delicious grape jelly last year. We've had a lovely display of lilies (free, just postage from The Telegraph) which are now almost over, the echinops continue to reach skywards, blue and white agapanthus in pots looking good, and now some of the late summer colours beginning to show. Did I say 'late summer'? Gosh, it will be autumn next. Must make the best of it. With my back to the bottom boundary of the allotments (and my plot just over the hedge behind me) this is a view (taken 3 weeks ago) of the ripening wheat, and our house on the hill at the top of the tractor track. By now, the wheat is looking almost ready to harvest.
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