I had enjoyed growing vegetables in the small garden of my terraced house. I decided to get a plot in the nearby Callowland allotments. This blog will tell the story of how it progresses. The successes and failures. The hard work and the rewards. Was it worth it? Let's find out......

Monday 22 June 2009

Neck Rot

I was able to get to the plot today. I took some photos which have been added to the previous post. The most obvious thing was how quickly the weeds had grown up and taken over. It's going to take some serious work to clear them once I'm fit again.

I harvested all our garlic, about 20 bulbs in total. Some seemed to be suffering from neck rot while others had mildewy bulbs. Usually my garlic is resilient to most things but perhaps this variety is not so good. I'll have to rack my brains to see if I can remember the variety I planted. Anyway, the goods bulbs are now out in the sun drying and will last us for a few months.

One plant that I have not had much luck on the plot with is tomatoes. They just have never done very well. I now grow them at home infront of a south facing garage door. It must be an ideal spot for them as they seem to thrive there. I'm growing 'Gardeners delight' - a traditional favourite cherry tomato : 'Money Maker' - a standard salad tomato : and 'Sweet Olive' - a new F1 variety which gives Italian plum shape cherry tomatoes. Sweet Olive is doing very well and I'm quite excited to see what the fruit is like. A good warm, sunny week is forecast and I'm hoping that by the end of the week I'll have my first set tomatoes.

Sunday 21 June 2009

Missing It

Well again I find myself recovering following an operation and unable to work on the plot. I am indebted to my dad for keeping it running. It's very frustrating as it's a key time to be working. There are the weeds to control, watering to be done and the first harvests are under way.

The winter broad beans did well but would probably have been even better with a bit more rain in April and May. By my reckoning they were 3 weeks ahead of some nearby spring planted beans. Once again i'm thinking is it worth planting them in the autumn? Also, no one else in my family likes them so they make not be grown next year!

We dug up some new potatoes 10 weeks after planting but they were about 2cm across. They were not baby potatoes, more like foetal potatoes. Again, the dry weather has probably held them back a bit. I will be trying again this week and I'm drooling with anticipation at the flavour.

The runner and french beans went in during the middle of May. We then had a week of very windy weather. I don't think they liked this and have struggled to take a hold. I want to see how they are this week as they usually seem to recover well and we always have more than enough beans at the end of the season.

The courgettes, squash and pumpkins went in at the end of May and are doing well. The first courgettes are now showing. After growing 18 courgette plants last year and harvesting a Kg a day I have learnt my lesson and have only got 5 plants this year.

The asparagus (asparagi?) are all growing and have broken the surface. This is a long term project as the rewards will be seen in 2011.

Hopefully I'll get on the plot soon. I'll take a camera and get some more pictures up on here.