Saturday 30 May 2015

The May allotment


It's been cold on and off this month, so I haven't hurried to plant more things out, after some of the early plants suffered.  But I did put in some beans - borlotti and French - and some sweet peas and sunflowers.  I also sowed another row of radishes, we can never have too many radishes.

The weeds have taken off.  Last month the plot was under control, now weeds are trying their best to encroach into every bed.  The asparagus has been particularly badly hit.  It's hard to dig the weeds out without damaging the asparagus crowns.

The turnips are doing nicely though, and we've had a huge bowl of artichoke hearts, as well as a bunch of asparagus two or three times a week.  Pods are forming on the broad beans and the onions are swelling.

There are two rows of beetroot growing well, one golden and one purple.  I thinned them out and weeded them, and then watered them so that any disturbed roots didn't dry out.  They don't seem to mind the chilly winds we've been having.  The squashes and courgettes are rallying slightly after a dismal start.

Alongside the shed, seemingly growing out of concrete, there's a lovely foxglove.  Amazing how plants grow isn't it.


Less good is the garlic.  I'm not sure what's wrong with it, but it's looking very yellow.  I did see a little rust on one of the plants, so maybe that's the problem.


On the whole though things aren't looking too bad.  There's lots of fruit on the blackcurrants and we picked a small bowl of gooseberries today.  I'm almost out of space to plant things out, which probably means I need to stop sowing things.  I still have peas, celeriacs, cucumbers and more French beans still to be squeezed in.  There's never quite enough space is there?

33 comments:

  1. It's looking good, CJ. I love the look of the little artichoke. I don't know much about garlic, but could it be an issue of soil amendment? I like the foxglove. I think I have one of those too, it was a volunteer in my backyard. I haven't pulled it because it's just so pretty. Mine has dark purple flowers. I'm looking forward to following along with your allotment progress this summer. I hope you're having a good weekend.

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  2. I hope that you can find a spot for everything, I guess it gets easier as things start to mature and you eat them - although everything else keeps getting bigger so perhaps not! It all sounds incredibly delicious!!! Love foxgloves, we have some here, but less each year! xx

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  3. There don't look like there are too many weeds to me ...... I can show you weeds! You have such a productive allotment and I really envy your asparagus harvest. Beautiful foxglove too. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. xx

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  4. No never! I wish I had more space and you have inspired me to get radishes in next year as well! Everything looks amazing CJ! And your rotation of veggies you have going as well as your fruits are simply fantastic! And yep...when flowers take to their own space naturally like that gorgeous foxglove up there that is when I feel the magic! Here is to more magic to you and your crew this weekend! Nicole xoxo

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  5. Your garden looks wonderful. We are so late this year...mostly due to my shoulder problems, but some times that happens.
    I think that you are doing a stellar job. Everything looks positively yummy.

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  6. Cut off leaves with the rust, throw them in the trash, not your compost pile. Then wash your hands and clothes, and disinfect your shears to prevent the fungus from spreading

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  7. Your allotment looks wonderful dear C.J., a great garden you have created with all of those delicious fresh vegetables and fruits.
    Happy Sunday!
    xoxoxo ♡

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  8. I just love seeing all your growing things! You must have farmers in your bloodline. I have them in mine but my farmer skills seem to be only for flowers. But you can't eat flowers! LOL! I just wish to have some zucchini -- we have one little plant of it but the slugs have eaten most of it. Some day, though. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. My granddaddy grew foxgloves --- they were always one of my favorites.

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  10. Impressive looking allotment, I only have a couple of raised beds and lots of containers on the patio but I love it. I would love to grow asparagus, one of my favourites. It all looks amazing.

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  11. It's looking wonderful. So much hard work, but worth it in the end (my dad tells me! ) I'm in charge of dad's allotment this week whilst he's on holiday. No watering needed today! Have a great Sunday. x

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  12. everything looks great Claire. my veg beds are way behind, and not one of my beans sprouted :(

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  13. It's looking superb, despite the cold May we've had. I have the same problem with fitting in flowers :o) It's such a lovely time of the year with everything in full-on grow mode. Apparently, June is set to be warm so after all the rain we've had doubtless things will shoot up in the sun.

    Have you tried looking through your allotment for small creatures? I find M's veg patch here is one of the best places to see a whole range of beetles, flies and bugs. There are lots of picture-winged flies out at the moment- usually quite small with little patterns on their wings. Also, swollen-thighed flower beetles- a gorgeous metallic green and the boys have small round fat tops to their legs- they especially like buttercups and daisies. xx

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    1. Yes, there are always lots of mini beasts to be seen. We're in the wildest corner of the site, next to the stream and lots of trees and hedgerow, so we have plenty of wildlife, it's a real haven for it. I like the sound of swollen-thighed flower beetles, I shall definitely look out for those! Apparently there was a speckled wood butterfly there last time. They're my favourites, I love the round circles. Every time the eldest called me to see it and I grabbed my camera it disappeared. Maybe next time... CJ xx

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  14. Hey CJ,
    It's all looking very lovely, and already so productive. I am hoping that by next year I can post a monthly allotment plot. And I agree that there is nothing as nice as a home grown radish. No one likes them apart from me. Shame.
    Leanne xx

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  15. It's all looking good, despite May not having been a good month. We really need some sunny, warm weather now. Happy plotting. Flighty xx

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  16. It all looks lovely. I really envy your asparagus and artichokes. I keep wondering whether to try asparagus on our allotment but so far I haven't got round to it.

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  17. Gooseberries already! I adore gooseberries.

    I'm whispering this, but having twice had to give up our allotment plans through no fault of our own we may just be en route to one now!

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  18. Your allotment sounds very abundant indeed, and looks so pretty. The foxglove beside the shed is very photogenic. We've had a fair bit of rain in the last few days and it's pretty chilly here today. The sun's trying to come out, though. Happy gardening! :)
    Cathy x

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  19. Things are battling the weather to grow aren't they?

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  20. It's all looking great, you've got so much growing. I've held back a bit with the weather being like it has but it's time for them to fend for themselves now, they'll all be out just as quickly as I can get the plot dug over, I'm so behind this year. I've never tried artichokes, they always seem a bit fiddly to me.

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  21. Your allotment looks great. Is there anything more wonderful than a spring garden?
    Amalia
    xo

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  22. Your garlic looks ok, a bit yellow but it's probably the leaves just starting to die back and wither which is what you'd expect. I'd pull one and enjoy it as 'wet' garlic, lightly sautéed and added to a tart or risotto. I've just advised Leanne to begin each session at the allotment by running around with the hoe .... hope she didn't mind. Oh and don't stop sowing. I carry on direct sowing salad leaves, beetroot, rocket and other leaves to harvest in their infancy until the end of August. Space will become available as you take up your garlic, early potatoes and broad beans. Hardy annuals like cornflower and nigella can also be sown now for a late summer picking. Have fun and don't forget your hoe!

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    1. Hoeing is a great tip. I quite often run it over the ground before I leave at this time of year to stop the weeds getting a good hold. It makes a big difference I think. I shall pull one of the garlics up and see what's to be seen. Watch this space! CJ xx

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  23. You are doing well ... hard work does work wonders and you are right you can never have enough radishes - just love them!

    All the best Jan

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  24. Ooh, it all looks fab. I lifted all my garlic yesterday as I found some had a white rot on the bulbs (but my yellow leaves looked a bit different to yours somehow. There was also a bit of rust on some but not too bad.) On the plus side, I'll be planting out squashes where the garlic has been. They're desparate to be planted out and some leaves even have mildew already, sigh!
    We have some fox gloves in our paved front yard that are seemingly growing out of nothing, amazing isn't it. And a buddliea in the front yard that grew out of nothing. I'm still not entirely sure how it survives but it hasn't damaged the adjacent wall yet. It's a good screen against the pavement too and I pollard it every year for sticks.

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  25. Oh to have asparagus on tap! Ours drowned in the dreary Scottish rain and what didn't was trampled on by the little ones. Your allotment looks lovely. xx

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  26. It's looking amazing and so productive already! xx

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  27. I do love to see a productive bit of soil and yours looks great CJ - I'm very envious. And such a variety of crops too - favourites for me would be broad beans and gooseberries - although not at the same time!
    Caz xx

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  28. I always enjoy reading about your adventures in the garden. I feel like I've been to the allotment the way you've described it to us over the years. I'd love to have a bowl full of artichoke hearts and asparagus from my garden! Wow!

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  29. Ooh radishes with dabbed with butter and sprinkled with salt! Give it a try :-) the allotment is looking really good, I can't see any weeds from here anyway. Now my friend no longer has her allotment, I shall have to live vicariously through yours! xx

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  30. Your allotment looks great! Love all your veggies and they are doing so well. It is really quite exciting when seeds actually grow into plants! Borlotti beans, I was just looking at them in a seed catalogue, maybe I will try some. I hear ypu about running out of space, I have space but not always the right space or sun exposure. Berries must be delish!

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