26/27 July 2008 - Elephant, Man

So much to recount, so little time to blog.

Yesterday was a big day on the plot. Apart from the usual chores of hacking weeds, chiz*, and watering, we did a lot of remedial work on the various crops. The peas, which are coming thick and fast (we have several small bags frozen in the fridge) need extensive weeding and some culling of plants which have either been cut accidentally or just manky from not enough room. The broccoli needed some attention, removing some large leaves that had gone orange. The courgette steadfastly continue to grow - upwards - and if I had not had my inspection spex on, we would not have discovered the french beans waiting to be picked. We finally realise of course that these are dwarf beans and that is why the vast majority of them have not climbed the wigwam. Chiz again. It does means that we have a whole 'nother crop to consume.

Nature lovers: On the right is a picture of a newt, exposed by the removal of the potatoes. On the left, a bumblebee having fun in a sunflower.

There are many aspects to the work of the allotmenteer. An important one - which perhaps we should make more of - is what is commonly known as "tending" the crop. Tending not onlyy includes feeding and watering - but regular inspection to make sure all is well. Otherwise diseases and pests can get a grip before you know it (ok, I sound like a gardening book). Or you could miss some poor vegetable's moment of glory by mistake.

Another important aspect is the on-going cycle of waste and compost. We dragged another load of kitchen compost up to add to the comfrey already in the compost bin. We anticipate Black Gold at the other end. The "Magic Juice" from our compost is having a stupendous effect on Bed 3 (or C depending on whose blog you are reading).

N dug up the last of the first early potatoes which were enormous, and will keep us going for a while. And then he dug up the garlic and the Elephant Garlic - 57 and 9 bulbs respectively. The disinterment of the Elephant Garlic, which took some time due to the enormity of their rootage, was reverently witnessed by Jan and Pat who offered us a suitable libation for the occasion. We remembered that it was the first crop that we properly put in, a long time ago now we think (note to self: must check blog for when) and felt a little nostalgic. The bulbs of both crops were extremely respectable - the largest Elephant Garlic belonged to one that we had left to flower. Jan and Pat offered to dry out the garlic in their greenhouse after which we will plait it and hang it in our kitchen to keep out those pesky vampires.

We also think it is time our readers met Jan and Pat, our trusty allotment neighbours. Here they are in their own splendid plot.

Today (Sunday), it being really hot and everything, we thought we would finally move the kale, leek and purple broccoli seedlings to their proper homes. Readers will recall that the plan was originally to move these to the vacant spaces left by early potatoes and garlic - and that indeed is what we did, although we have fears that we have left it too late. Mr G is of the view that the plants (which can no longer be described as seedlings) may not take and are altogether too comfy to move. We decide to do it anyway to make better use of space - and we are also of the view that the plants would be far better off with more space. We do not plant all - some of the weedier broccoli and kale is kept for instant use, with only the largest and strongest specimens. We worry that it is also too hot for them.

Notwithstanding the fact that we ignored his advice on this occasion, Mr G is an invaluable source of knowledge and opinion and we are sure that readers will be thrilled to learn that he thinks our broccoli are the best on site. He also envies our peas as he cannot grow them. Such accolades are meat and drink to the novice allotmenteer.

The leeks are divided by grower (Mr G - see blogs passim/us) and have their tops snipped off. The ones sown as seed directly into the ground definitely have the longest and strongest roots.

When we return later, with The Neighbours plus visiting parent and two dogs, the kale and broccoli do look extremely sorry for themselves, all wilty. We tell them to pull themselves together and look to the winter cabbages for inspiration.

We are going to make chutney. Of whatever we have to.

Weather note: hot hot hot. K stood under hosepipe several times and N did Water Hat.

Chef's note: all our veggies taste delicious.

* For younger readers," chiz" is a term used by Nigel Molesworth in "Back in the Jug Agane" and other classics written by Geoffrey Willans, illustrated by Ronald Searle (as any fule kno). It means general feeling of cheesed-off-ness.

Bounty - 20 July 2008

With the exception of a post-party visit to the plot with friends (pictured below, sideways), we have largely ignored the plot while planning for, and recovering from, our summer party.

Despite our inattention, all of our plants have been busy growing. Exceptionally well, it turns out, since we've had loads of sun and rain. Working across the plot from left to right (as you face the pasture beyond:

Our main-crop potatoes are thriving, with many beautiful white and yellow flowers. These were torn off yesterday, when Mr G said they draw energy away from the spuds. (This I knew, in theory, but I also thought there was something to do with the flowers that would signal harvest time.)

Leeks and kale in the Fruit Cage have come on, too. Leeks now too big to move out (as we had planned). Kale very leafy with bright purple stalks. Marigolds, sweet peas and sunflowers (pictured below) are also bursting with colour and growth. Raspberries growing nicely (but short on fruit so far). Blueberry bush fruiting. Strawberry plants died down, but I don't think we were expecting them to crop again. Apple trees have little apples on them (again, predictable, but exciting).

In Bed 4 (?), the Elephant Garlic is still some time from harvest, but we had one of the regular garlic bulbs for dinner with courgettes (more later). Very tasty and, being fresh, the cloves were visible but with no dried wrapping between them. We've had carrots from this bed, too.

Bed 3 has a few carrots in, too, but is specialising in peas. Yesterday we harvested all the pods that were ready, which, if we still used shopping bags, would have filled half a bag.

From Bed 2, we took about eight broccoli, heads the size of a person's head, but a little smaller, many of which we gave to friends and other plotters. Word is that they will continue to crop.

In Bed 1, the corn is tall and have those corn wispy things poking out. Butternut squash are growing slowly but surely. Beans and peas are on the ascent up their frames. The most amazing crop, so far, is the courgettes (zucchini) who can, literally, grow a few inches a day in the right conditions.

Sunflowers on the bank and by our fence are beautiful - and look just like the sunflowers you see on television. Who'd have thought.

Despite being sunny, the day was overshadowed by a creeping concern that we won't be able to cope with the harvest. Of course we know this is nonsense, because we can always give it away, but we had two full carrier bags to take home yesterday, even after sharing most of our broccoli. (Oh, yes, lessons to be learned about planting little and often, rather than everything maturing at once.)

But we also turned our thoughts to dining in the coming winter - with this in mind we froze some broccoli and the peas, after blanching and (this was fun) plunging them into iced water. We may need to get a bigger freezer.

We were heading out (into the big city) to our friends John and Ray's celebration of their recent civil partnership, and thought we'd bring them a basket of goodies. So, on a bed of kale, there's broccoli, two carrots (one of them rude) and two courgettes. Happy eating!

6 July 2008 - Independence Day Weekend

The title of today's blog is ironic - we are anything but independent as we scurry about at home doing very important home improvements prior to our party next weekend. So time spent at the plot is limited, sadly, to some maintenance, much harvesting and a little weeding. However our disappointment was tempered by the foul weather. Almost like old times in the winter, though now it is lighter and warmer.

I am pretty sure that we planted the first earlies in the rain, and readers, behold the joy that is about half of them - Arran Pilots - dug up in the rain. They are many and varied, with a spattering of pink maincrops that strayed over their borders. Unfortunately, I insisted on them mostly being dug up rather than just left in the ground until we needed them. Big mistake according to Derek and Jan, as first earlies bruise and don't keep for long periods of time. DOH. So spent some time grovelling and thinking about how best to store them, as well some probable deserving recipients of our largesse. And after all we are having a party with potato salad, so it should be OK. But lesson well and truly learnt.

Some more thought had to be given to the best way of protecting the peas. They get caught up in the netting, poor loves. I think they have grown so high because they are in intense competition. They are almost the height of beans. We gather a few for later.

There has been a bit of rain this week, and after today, a whole boatload. It is amazing how much this perks everything (including the weeds) up. The cabbages relocated last weekend are still looking sorry for themselves but are definitely not dead. The courgettes and beans are steaming ahead, and indeed we pick our first few courgettes which we have for lunch, along with two beautiful carrots as hors d'oevre, our first fresh garlic, and a few raspberries. The garlic looks very different fresh because the cloves are not so easy to spot being as the skin is not dried out, and we added it to mashed potatoes and the courgette. Fab.We suddenly realise that we will soon be able to eat things on a reasonably regular basis.

Other unexpected joys were the definite progress of broccoli - we nearly snaffle a head but caution was urged until the seed packet had been checked - and the joyous bloom of the marigolds. The butternut squash has suddenly decided to take matters into its own hand too. It promises to be a very busy and tasty time here soon on the plot.

28/29 June 2008 - Raiders of the Lost Ark

It seems as though we were premature in our predictions of blight. Mr G, older and wiser than us, said that our early potato plants were merely indicating their state of readiness to be dug up and eaten. This is great news. We have now eaten or disposed of the first plot of Belle de Fontanelle (small, tasty) and dug up a couple of the regular Arran Pilots (much bigger, tasty). Very interesting. The maincrops look blight-free and sturdy. Hoorah. Top left is a longitudinal view of the garlic in bed A and the beans etc in bed B.

This weekend was nice and sunny, allowing us to entertain by bbq a visitor from the States, Mr Haines, on Saturday. He graciously condescended to tour the plot and was extremely complimentary of our progress. He has started to grow his own in the States and we reflected on how our hobbies and interests change as we grow older while the sun set over the site. We served our potatoes with dinner - we could do no less for such a discerning connoisseur of taste after all.

We made an astounding discovery on the plot the next day. A dead snake!! (note the unusual use of exclamation marks, something we normally eschew but it did make N jump a bit). He had got tangled in a loose bit of net near bed B. We think he was a grass snake and only recently dead. Harrison Ford, eat our shorts.

Other than the perennial (excuse the pun) task of weeding, other tasks included moving the cabbage (January King) seedlings to their new home as they were clearly running out of room. We calculated that they could all fit on the brassica bed (bed C - I think). The less developed specimens were donated to two new allotmenteers, a young couple who have the daunting task of ridding their plot of nettles, carpets and an accretion of refuse dumped in less enlightened times.

We fed the burgeoning courgettes, corn and beans and snacked on fresh peas, raspberries and salad. We have pondered the use of mousetraps in view of the 3 robins trapped (yes, apparently Pat and Jan had found one in one of our traps, meaning that we have probably decimated the local robin population irredeemably). We have to hide the traps if we are to avoid further robin homicides.

The sweetpea plants are starting to look fab against the austere backdrop of the Pagoda, and the pumpkin plants are thriving, especially the one on the compost heap.

We have had somewhat of a dry and hot patch so some emergency watering was needed in the week to revive the poor cabbage seedlings. We are sanguine that they will regain their erect stature and adjust to the move.

We sowed some basil seeds for fun and radishes again. The second lot are already ready for eating - they are truly vigorous. Our plot looks full of produce and fun with no significant casualties thus far.

Weather note: sunny, cloudy, some showers, some hot days

22 June 2008 – The big picture

Most plots are experiencing potato blight - evidenced by yellowing leaves and dark spots – so we took the decision to lift our first earlies (Belle de Fontenelle) before something sinister happens.

These were the spares seed potatoes we sowed next to the comfrey - we retrieved two-thirds of a bucketful. Over lunch with our allotment guest, Mr Perry, they were deemed to be delicious.

He was sent home with a pocketful of fluffy spuds.

There's also been weeding - little and often - and some harvesting of raspberries, strawberries and peas.

Black gold (compost juice) has been applied liberally to the corn and courgettes (zucchini).

And N was able to spend a good five minutes in a deckchair in the sun.

We now present for your viewing pleasure a panoramic vista (if that's not a tautology) of the plot (click for more detail and scroll right as necessary):

15 June 2008 - Picture Panorama Spectacular!

6/14 June 2008 - Busy busy busy bees

Well hello. Lots to catch up on. Last weekend we spent a lot of time on the plot which was great and had a visit from K's mum and dad. And this weekend from The Neighbour and Oscar Dog - see next blog.

There is now so much to do. We cast our minds back to a few months back, when it was just digging and grumbling - and to this time last year, when we didn't have much going on other than the potatoes and the raspberries - and it seems like a different patch of earth. Our activities today and last weekend are pretty similar, so think of this as the Plot Omnibus. We took the digital camera with us today so as to present you with a montage of the plot - you can view these in a Special Picture Panorama Spectacular in the blog after this.

Generally, we are very pleased with our progress. There are the highs and the lows - but by and large things do seem to be growing. This is now the list of plants/crops planted by us in the plot, in no particular order. First early potatoes, maincrop potatoes, peas, nasturtiums, kale, purple sprouting broccoli, winter cabbage, broccoli, French beans, butternut squash, courgette, corn (3 sorts), raspberries, strawberries (2 sorts), blueberries, poached egg plant, runner beans, sweet peas, carrots (2 sorts), onions (2 sorts), garlic (2 sorts), radish, rocket, french marigolds, pumpkin.

Lessons to be learnt - plant more maincrop and less first early potatoes; plant less broccoli; clear bank over winter; do salad crops at home; more support for peas; re-think beds; decking in front of shed.

We love the peas which are podding, the brassica seedlings in the Pagoda which are fab and the numerous leeklings. Not to mention the flowery potatoes. And last but absolutely not least - the jewel-like strawberries which have been coming over the last 2 weeks. They are bright red and perfect, sweet and juicy. Ants do not seem to like them. Maintenance involves a lot of weeding - some in the beds and some trying to thwart Mother Nature sidling in from the bank. And our first courgette flower has appeared. Blueberries are forming and also the first red raspberry has been spotted. We are particularly pleased with the courgettes which have suddenly shot off, beans and corn - I secretly think that the Magic Compost Vegetable Juice stuff has kickstarted them. They now look happy, strong and thriving.

We think the garlic will go over soon - it is going yellow and most of the elephant garlic flowers have been removed to get even more humungous bulbs. And we anxiously speculate about when to dig up the first of the potatoes as a sample. We decide to do it next weekend. We plant some more corn seedlings in the Pagoda and redo the mousetraps. Unfortunately we had a sad task - a robin had got caught in one. We know this is collateral damage in the great scheme of things but it saddens us nonetheless.

Other work included mowing the lawn (which is looking fabulous) and N making more improvements to the decking in front of the shed. We have erected a temporary barrier for the comfrey as it is getting a bit too enthusiastic. Too late we realise that we should have stopped it from flowering, so that the plant gets stronger. But then the bees would not have come and we couldn't have that.

Second sowings of peas, carrots and radish all showing.

Mouse count = 6
Rabbit = 0
Slugs = probably several thousand

Weather note: generally fine, not too hot, bit cloudy