1 August 2010 - Summer Time

Hi there. Lots going on at the plot, though not necessarily photographed, so this is by way of a catchup. We had a slight hiatus in recording in July due to rockin' out at the famous Latitude festival. Only light maintenance and harvesting was possible, usual weeding chores, etc. We have been dining on potatoes (first earlies) - not a bad harvest but not quite what we had hoped. And lots of corn which has been much better this year, as well as a continual supply of broccoli. The peas kept valiantly going but for whatever reason, they were not happy. The carrots on the other hand were very happy - but so were the bloody mice, who have by and large decimated our hopeful harvest. We have caught around 10 or so to date and remain grimly determined to keep calm and carry on. Beans of various types - especially the little purple ones - made their appearance. Watch out later for a very special picture of our borlotti beans.

There are two giant pumpkins on the bank - huzzah. We have come to realise that only the mighty pumpkin can withstand the onslaught of nature. The green manure has been partially successful, only the blue plants really got the idea. We are sorrowful about the lack of apples, due to the late frost. We know we are not the only ones. As if to compensate, there are blueberries and raspberries galore.

Onto 1 August then when we had a visit from our nephew Luc and his mum (up top). They were duly complimentary of our progress and Luc did a bit of watering too. We also harvested a truly magnificent red cabbage.

I find that we have forgotten - forgotten!! - to record the garlic harvest, or even when we took it up. I think it was in the first half of July. Let the belated record show that all of the duff garlic utterly failed, but the other half was fine. Not overly large bulbs which we think was due to the dry spring. Should be enough to last us, and perhaps even enter in the local show. We haven't yet plaited them up. And four elephant bulbs too. Next year we vow to plant more elephants, as they are great fun. Let's fast forward to the end of the month....