Down at the slightly neglected allotment there is still prettiness to be found. In amongst the weeds. I haven't given it enough love this year and of course it shows. It's not the end of the world though. I'm doing a very good job of not getting stressed about it.
The perennial weeds like horsetail and bindweed are having a field day, but the time will come when I'll have a good dig around and get some of the roots out. Not all of them, it will be an ongoing battle, but I'll give it my best shot.
Despite the chaos there are still things to be picked. Blackcurrants, Japanese wineberries, runner beans, radishes, artichokes, cucumbers, courgettes, sweet peas, achochas, beetroots. The three plums mysteriously disappeared. The littlest boy and I checked the local cherry plum trees yesterday and they seem to have very few fruit as well. Maybe it's not a plum year in this part of the world.
In the garden the tomatoes and salad leaves are doing nicely. And it's definitely a pear year. Last year there were none; this year masses. It's also a frog year. Last year not so much. Some things seem to need a year off.
How is the summer treating you so far? Enough time for all of the things you want to do? I took the boys on a picnic today. The middle boy is still on a quest to catch a fish. It's not as easy as you might imagine. Where are they all? Tomorrow I'm staying close to home and catching up on a mountain of chores. I do like a day at home, but no doubt it will all get a bit feral after a few hours. Maybe then the park.
You've put so much effort in this summer, CJ. I think there really are just some years when the weeds take over. That's been the case for us, though it only started about two weeks ago when the summer monsoon pattern finally developed. Most of July was very hot and dry and nothing grew, including the things we wanted to grow. Now, everything is growing nicely including the weeds. Bindweed is rampant here too. My raised flower bed in the backyard is just choked with bindweed and the grass that grows under the wall from my next-door neighbor's yard. I try to pull it out but I'm at the point where I'm ready to give up. There's always next summer. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it IS a plum free year. Our plums and greengages are almost fruitless. I am at war with bindweed this year.
ReplyDeleteThere are similarities here you know. Apart from the pears there are none here sadly for Mike. He has huge hopes for next year though. For the plum tree too, the few that survived after transplanting the tree, the birds pecked at them. Ah well we have cooking apples to come. Delightful photos my dear. Very pretty x
ReplyDeleteoh how beautiful! if that is a neglected garden, I want one!
ReplyDeleteI love how you've said it's a pear year and a frog year - it's so true, somethings have a glorious season, it's their year! thank you for such beautiful pictures CJ.
No plums here either. You can comfort yourself that the wild ones will make excellent use of the bindweed etc ;-). Home day here as well. I'm sewing. And ironing. Xx
ReplyDeletePs forgot to say I've got a cracking recipe for frozen meringue cake via sultana buns blog that works well with red currants if you want it? Xx
ReplyDeleteNo plums here either! Glad to know it's not just me!
ReplyDeleteNo pears here this year after a good crop last year. I think you're right when you say that some things need a year off.
ReplyDeleteDear C.J. your allotment garden looks wonderful, weeds and all, their flowers look pretty and also your sweet peas, artichokes and apples...great photos.
ReplyDeleteHappy gardening
Hugs, Dianne
xoxoxo ❤️
I don't think the weeds won. And if they did, they're very pretty, judging by the idyllic, lush photos you've shared here. It sounds like you're still picking and harvesting an awful lot. Our summer is romping by and I'd like to slow it down a little. We've had some home days this week and they've been heavenly, although I do blatantly rely on Minecraft to keep Angus quiet, and books for Bella. It's the only way I can actually get anything done! X
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteThere are very few plums on our tree this year. Must be a thing. I've been completely slugged and snailed on the veggie front this year. It's so disheartening tbh. Lots of different plants haven't thrived or have just not appeared. I practice acceptance, and hope next year will be better. Things are god here. We are also pottering at home today, although I quite fancy a drive out towards Pendeen to see The Man Engine and breathe the air.
Leanne xx
"Rambling and full of life" - a more positive take on the weeds winning! You still have some homegrown food and it is good you're not stressing about it.
ReplyDeleteDespite the weeds it's looking okay. I have to say it's been a bad year for bindweed. I'm not keen on this time of year when it's hot and humid but it's mostly been okay so I've been able to keep plotting.
ReplyDeleteIf it's cool and dull there like it is here today then you've chosen a good day to stay at home and do the chores. Flighty xx
Not a single plum on my tree this year either, nor my sister's which is normally laden. Definitely a plum free year...
ReplyDeleteWeeds or not it looks very pretty and productive! Lots of pears here too, (also bindweed but trying to ignore that).
ReplyDeleteThe garden photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI guess some years are better than others for vegetables and fruit. This has been a bad year for my orchids, but a GOOD year for my bat plant.
Your allotment looks very pretty, even if there are weeds. I like to think the weeds are there for the benefit of the insects! I've grown artichokes for the first time too. I'm looking forward to harvesting them. P.S the plums have obviously moved east this year!!
ReplyDeletethe weeds aren't terribly obvious -- too many pretty flowers to distract the eye from the undesirables. ;)
ReplyDeletehome days are some of the best sort. there's something to be said with being all caught up on the jobs front. xoxo
ps. too bad you can't just pop over...your middlest would have a fish in very short order in our pond. despite the fact it's almost been reduced to a puddle. :)
I rather like your garden, it looks rather romantic! No plums on our tree either and only two pears. It is an all around bad year for fruit up here I think, only the apple tree has more than five fruit on. x
ReplyDeleteOur plum tree was newly palnted this year...it's only small but there's about 10 (edible) plums. I'm calling that a success! Your allotment looks fabulous... one day we'll grown some veggies. There's been less planting this year as all my children are well! :-) xx
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