Photos from the plot this morning (apologies for putting the apple picture in twice, I only just noticed and I know it will all go wrong if I try to change it). I got there at about 5.50am, and yes, I think I was the first there. I'm an early riser, so occasionally I go straight to the allotment for a little tidying and watering. In the summer it means I can avoid puffing up and down with my watering can in the hottest part of the day. Plus I've got a lot more energy and enthusiasm in the mornings. By the afternoon it's almost all gone. I revive slightly after the children go to bed for some reason.
June is the month that the harvests really kick in. I picked the first of the beetroot and French climbing beans. I've also been picking gooseberries, artichokes and broad beans, turnips and radishes, and a few pretty flowers, larkspur and roses. I stopped picking the asparagus around midsummer's day and already it's thickening up into a little forest.
A few other crops are finishing as well. Turnips and radishes have turned woody and the broad beans have finished, so I did some pulling out of things. It means there's a little space for more although I'm not sure what yet. The weeds are coming along brilliantly as always, but hoeing them in this hot weather is fairly effective.
I roasted the beetroot for tea. The biggest boy accidentally left a bit on his plate. I take great exception to people leaving things that I've grown (and sweated over) myself and by now everyone knows it is a dangerous thing to do. Apart from anything else, as I told him, it was a little bit of heaven on a fork. Eyes were rolled.
Over pudding, there was a conversation about today's visit to the school by a police horse that went something like this.
Biggest boy (to littlest boy): You were really disrespectful to that policeman, you weren't behaving like it was a proper school thing. You shouldn't have been messing about and talking and poking me in the back and going "Riot, riot, I predict a riot." I did try to tell him off, but honestly, I nearly choked I was laughing so much. Where does he get it from???
It must have been wonderful being up at the allotment this morning so early. I do potter around the garden before 7 during the week but don't have time to go for a wander before work! Your allotment looks so well advanced compared with our crops! I loved the conversation - they are always saying such funny things! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteOh that is too funny about the conversation between the boys!!!! Don't worry about the two apple pictures, apples as lovely as that deserve to be seen twice!!! xx
ReplyDeleteDad has promised me gooseberries the weekend from his allotment. The strawberries are wonderful. Fresh produce has such a different taste doesn't it. I don't think I could do the 5.30am thing though. I lay there hoping I'll go back to sleep - it rarely happens. x
ReplyDeleteYour kids are so funny. I love these stories. Mine had a visit from an eighteen-wheeler truck this past year, with a road-safety lesson. I don't know where they think children are hanging out with trucks like that driving nearby, but it was valuable information, I'm sure. My son didn't appreciate the way his sister kept asking for them to blow the horn. They did it once or twice but were not willing to do it on request, apparently. Oh well. I love seeing the things you've grown. I hope this is a bountiful summer for you. Your kids are lucky to have fresh roasted beetroot for dinner. These poor American kids in my house only get their beets from a can. :)
ReplyDeleteAll that allotment goodness, and a giggle. i feel replete after reading this post, in the nicest way.
ReplyDeleteYour veggies look terrific, and you are so tight/ there is a lot of hard work, sweat and love that goes into growing them. Too funny convo between your boys! I kept thinking I should get up earlier in the morning as it is so lovely but I always stay up to late at night.
ReplyDeleteBravo to you for growing all that great food for your family! Lucky kids! I love police horses, good that your kids got to see one up close. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteAll of the fruits and vegetables look great, that must give you a feeling of satisfaction that your hard work is rewarded. Your family is very fortunate to have such a lovely Mum who provides them with the freshest food, much better than that from a supermarket. The flowers are also lovely, the foxglove is very pretty.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
Now that is some allotment, all that beautiful fruit and veg is a feast for the eyes. Children do say the funniest things. Maybe you should keep a record of them as gift for when they are 21, it would make a great addition to a party.
ReplyDeleteYour allotment's produce is impressive and very beautiful. I know what you mean about people leaving things on plates that you've worked hard to make - it can be hard not to take it personally! It must have been wonderful to be up and out so early. I'm really enjoying early morning and late evening watering at the moment - so cooling and relaxing :)
ReplyDeleteCathy x
You are way ahead of me CJ. In fact you are way ahead of even the earliest early birds at my allotment. I picked the first broad beans yesterday, a colander of Red Epicure and I made tagliatelle with broad beans, pancetta and beurre blanc flavoured with thyme. Yum! Summer raspberries are coming on, enough for two bowlfuls every day. But French beans, mine are just starting to climb from a 17 May sowing, but I do have four baby yellow courgettes so next week hopefully I shall be making my eagerly anticipated courgette pasta. I started allotmenteering 15 years ago when my children were just five and seven and in the holidays I always used to cycle to the allotment as soon as I was awake and get home before my husband left for work. Nowadays I love going down late afternoon and coming home with the freshest produce in time for supper. If anything gets left on a plate here I put it in a clean dish in the fridge and have it for lunch the next day. Cold roast beetroot with rocket and feta anyone?
ReplyDeletemy weeds are growing and not much else.............
ReplyDeleteboys!
What a wonderful time of day to be at the plot, I think early mornings and late evening are magical times of day to be surrounded by nature. The light in your photos is wonderful too. It sounds like you're way ahead of me, no beans ready yet and no beetroot either, which is a shame as I love it roasted too. I did laugh at the conversation over pudding, I miss those little gems where you want to laugh but know you shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at your boys! Lovely photos, you are really green fingered and it must be great to know what to do with it all too! We are growing strawberries on the window cill and lots of herbs, starting slowly but I do get inspired by your posts. Antonia x
ReplyDeleteI'm quite an early riser too but I'm so impressed that you made it down to the allotment at that time! Just loved your dinner time conversation! Have a good weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteAs they say - boys will be boys! You've reminded me that I need to start using our turnips before they get any bigger. And yes, I take great exception to food that I've grown, prepared, cooked and served not being eaten.
ReplyDeleteYour allotment is looking gorgeous and all that lovely produce. Early morning is the best part of the day - especially in this weather!
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how much your kids conversations sound like ours!!! That made laugh out loud! Beautiful photos! Keep enjoying the fruits of your labours.
ReplyDeleteIt's all looking, and sounding, good. Like you I prefer the mornings, and I usually flag later on in the day.
ReplyDeleteYou're boys conversation had me laughing out loud. Flighty xx
Priceless! L has had many funnies over the years too. One of my all-time favourites was a couple of years ago when I was complaining about adolescent language and eating habits. His response: Get over it mum, we're teenagers: we like sugar and swearing. We remind him of it every now and then :o)
ReplyDeleteAllotment looking mighty-fine. Well done you. Being married to a vegetable grower I know just how much hard work goes in to it. Eating home grown is THE BEST though. Bet it was lovely being up there so early- much wildlife about? CT xxx
Blackbirds, and more pigeons than you could shake a stick at. I was hoping to see the green woodpecker that I've spotted a couple of times when I've been the first there, but no sign of him yesterday. Maybe still in bed..? Love the sugar and swearing comment, you've made me laugh. CJ xx
DeleteWow, that looks like a productive plot! I love that you grow flowers amongst the fruit and veg too. If I had somewhere like that I'd become an earlier riser, definitely!
ReplyDeleteBeetroot's a wonderful thing. I've been eating it blitzed with horseradish lately, perfect with mackerel or smoked salmon or ham. Nobody else will eat it. Ditto asparagus. And artichokes. I am living with plebeians.
It's a while until we get to the teenage stuff yet. By that time I may well be too exhausted and old to think up any smart responses...
Enjoy that allotment :)
S x
Wow, so much homegrown goodness coming out of your plot, all your hard work is paying off now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the photos, next year I must try harder to get organised with the veggies!
Gill xx
Wow, so much homegrown goodness coming out of your plot, all your hard work is paying off now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the photos, next year I must try harder to get organised with the veggies!
Gill xx
Abundance from your hard work, CJ! I'm glad you are able to enjoy the fruit of your labor even though your son dared to leave a bite on his plate :) So far I have just consumed a basil leaf and some rosemary from my little plants, but green tomatoes should ripen soon! It is a delight to listen to the young ones around us, isn't it. My just 6 year old granddaughter recently asked her mom who was going to be lifeguard at their wading pools. Her mom replied, "Hayley is primary and I am secondary." Miss 6 volunteered, "and I am legendary!"
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and great to have produce already, it is nice to see all your hard work paying off, and what can I say.... boys, with 3 of my own, nothing surprises me any more, your wee story made me laugh out loud :)
ReplyDeleteSo good to have all that home-grown fresh foods ... yummy !
ReplyDeleteLove the story about your boys.
Hope you are all keeping cool in our rather hot weather!
All the best Jan
Your allotment looks so inviting, I might stop by on our way to Cornwall to help you with the weeding. I was hoping to do more gardening this year but with work and all it just didn't happen. I enjoyed it quite a bit last year when I was not working. Ah well, something else to put on my retirement wish list. Children can be so self righteous, it is downright funny. This conversation might have taken place here, Annie is a bit of a teacher-preacher :-) She always lectures Alistair who is a bit of a trouble maker at school. Have a lovely rest of the week. x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous montage of photos there CJ. All your hard work coming to fruition. There's no way I could haul myself out of bed that early. Where do you get your energy from? Perhaps all that home-grown goodness. I take my hat off to you. Boys are great, aren't they?! Mine are sweary, sugar-munching teenagers now (but only to each other, not me!). Still funny though.
ReplyDeletePicking first French beans Wow
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! I can't wait to tell my family tonight the conversation from the boys about the police visit. ha! They will definitely appreciate it. I'm sure your humor is completely above board *ahem.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo collage of the allotment. Full of color. I think it's giggle worthy though you are apologizing for repeating an image. Silly CJ! It's fantastic.
Wonderful pictures from your allotment, CJ. My garden is suffering from random attacks by a neighbourhood squirrel. Hopefully you don't have any four legged pests attacking yours!
ReplyDeleteI would have laughed at your son's comment too. :-)
The allotment is looking really good! I think your littlest boy and my littlest girl sound quite similar... xx
ReplyDeleteLove those pictures of the results of all your hard graft. Must give roasted beetroot a try (I really enjoy eating it but usually stick to the limited repertoire of soup, grated in salads and pickled in vinegar). Ah, those boys. There's one here much bigger than your three but those one liners.....
ReplyDeleteThat is one superb collage of awesome allotmenting! Love it all and who cares if the apples are there twice, they deserve to be. Roasted beetroot is one of my favourite things (with a wee bit of HP sauce). Loved the policeman story - great wee post all around, thanks for the smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteWow, lovely allotment! I've just been catching up with all you've been getting up too...you've been so busy getting out and about, just fab :) xxx
ReplyDeleteSorry, CJ, just catching up with your posts now, life is so hectic at the moment, can't think why! Your allotment looks wonderful, love the mix of veg and flowers, it breaks up the green nicely! I can't believe your broad beans are finished, mine are just at the stage where I feel the pods hopefully and have therefore sampled one or two tiny beans. A little taste of heaven, as you say about home-grown. I wish I had a larger space for asparagus, my little square metre bed is not quite giving enough yet - do they spread, I wonder? I usually go into the garden after work, 7-9, which works well as it's cool in the garden then. I can usually just get a bit of watering done in the mornings before work but being out there at 6 would only be possibly if I got to bed earlier! Well done you for managing an early start!
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