As you can see things are looking quite nice and tidy at the moment up on the allotment. We invested in some more paving slabs and weed suppressing fabric for paths this year so we're able to divide up the ground better as we plant. Over on the far side of the plot the fruit area is still as overgrown as ever, the plan now is to wait till the strawberry patch has fruited before digging up the whole lot, netted tunnel and all. Then we can start again with a new, much larger, covered area for fruit.
We're trying a few new things this year, first up is some Pak Choi. These were started off in the greenhouse before being planted out last weekend and they seem to have survived the transition pretty well. I probably over did it with about 16 plants since they'll all be ready at the same kind of time but fingers crossed they'll keep in the ground long enough for us to use them all.
We've also planted a couple of rows of Scorzonera which we picked up at random one day while browsing through the seeds at a garden centre. They're just starting to come through and look kinda weird at this stage. No real idea what we do with them or what they taste like (I did read somewhere you treat them a bit like really thin parsnips though) but it'll be fun finding out.
We've gone a little squash crazy this year too; we've got seven plants in the ground at the moment with another couple still in the greenhouse. There's a mix of about five different varieties (I've lost track a tad) in there because every time I saw a new interesting looking variety I couldn’t stop myself buying a packet of seeds. I know we're going to have way too many come harvesting time but I love the look of all the different shapes, sizes and colours so all being well friends and family will take a few off our hands if it all gets a bit much in the autumn.
The onions, despite going in late, are doing their very best to catch up and I'm hoping come harvesting time we'll never know they were late starting. Still no sign of the early potatoes though which perhaps means they're doing a less impressive job of making up for their late start.Other than all that we've also got a few different Peas, Swede, Kohl Rabi, Carrots and Beetroot in the ground, all direct sown, and there's signs of life in all of them which is good. The key now is to kick on and keep this up unlike last year where it all went wrong at about this point...
Greenhouse update tomorrow all being well...
6 comments:
The squash craze must be catching. I've got 8 plants to go in and 3 sprawling cucumbers-god knows where though. I'm seriously thinking of trailing some of the smaller ones up wigwams
It's mad isn't it... I only grew one plant last year and even though I can remember how big it grew I'm kind of blocking it out and just assuming everything will be fine with all the ones I've put in this year... All being well they're next to things that 'should' be picked and finished by the time they're too massive.... I hope... lol
Everything's looking great, and you sound to be on track with everything. I've never grown squash before, but I'm having a go this year. I've gone a bit mad too, there's just too many varieties to choose from. My favourite looking one is Turks Turban, but I've heard that it's not one of the best eating varieties, oh well, I can but try.
Sounds like you're doing a great job! As for those courgettes, you can blanch for 3 mins whole, then drain cool chop then freeze. Or cook them into a soup, curry or ratatouille and then freeze.
I'll be trying some chutneys later this year (courgettes permitting!)
I've left you a challenge on my blog, I hope you'll accept it.
All looking good and very tidy! I bought some pak choi seeds to try this year, but have forgotten where I put them. Once I find them I will put them in - if it's not too late!
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