Allotment Vegetable Growing in July 2006

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Tomatoes Outside

Tomatoes Outside
10/07/2006

The home greenhouse being full, the tomatoes have been moved to the outside. They seem to be doing alright and are starting to fruit.

In the background you can see two tubs of pansies that we moved as one of our crazy cats managed to make herself ill eating them. I have no idea why a cat would decide to become vegetarian and neither does the vet!

In the Greenhouse

In the Greenhouse
10/07/2006

The greenhouse at home is full. In fact, it is over full. You can see the peppers and tomatoes along with the marigolds to deter whitefly.

Out of shot on the left, I've got more peppers and a couple of aubergines.

Yet more Tomatoes

Yet more Tomatoes
10/07/2006

On the patio we've another three sungold tomatoes in pots.

These are the sweetest tomatoes I've ever tasted and children love them. We've got one that is nearly fully ripe and soon there will be a lot more. Sungold are very productive indeed.

Climbing Beans on Plot 5

Climbing Beans on Plot 5
10/07/2006

The bean tipis - or is that teepees? on plot 5 with the sweetcorn in the background.

The runner beans are slow this year for me but the sweetcorn is looking very promising.  You can just make out the comfrey above the brassica cage in the background. That's ready for its second cut of the year now.

Tomatoes and Onions

Tomatoes and Onions
10/07/2006

In the foreground you can see the plum roma bush outdoor tomatoes on their weed suppressant matting held down with stakes and milk containers filled with water. They are great for holding down fleece etc as they have no sharp edges and weigh like a brick.

Behind the tomatoes, you can see the only decent onions I've grown this year. They're Ailsa Craig and have been by far the best. Behind those are the potatoes and to the right on the path you can see the hosepipe, which we can use legally. (Sorry to the drought ridden south)

View from Plot 28

View from Plot 28
10/07/2006

Larry and Gaynor (left) discuss how good my sweetcorn is with Janice from Plot 28 in front of the mad pumpkin plant that is trying to take over the entire site.

Behind me, poor Johnny got on with clearing their new plot. They used to live in Spain so the concept of one to do the work and a crowd to observe is not unusual to them!

Brassica Cage being watered

Brassica Cage being watered
27/07/2006

The emergency dose of fish, blood and bone fertiliser seems to have perked up the brassicas a bit. Apart from food, brassicas require a fair bit of water and you can see the sprinkler on the bottom of the photograph.

We're luckier than those in the south suffering their hosepipe bans and can give our plants a good soaking when they need it.

Pumpkins developing

Pumpkins developing
27/07/2006

You can clearly see the pumpkin developing on top of the compost heap. The plant has climbed onto the heap of its own volition!

It's hard to know as the foliage from the two plants is so dense but I think I will have half a dozen decent pumpkins at least and some happy children come halloween.

Leeks, Cauliflowers and Sweetcorn

Leeks, Cauliflowers and Sweetcorn
27/07/2006

The large bed on plot 29 where I cleared the broad beans now has some leeks and cauliflowers on it. The leeks seem to be recovering from the shock of being transplanted and the cauliflowers are protected from the evil pigeons under the onion drying frame.

In the background you can see the sweetcorn is looking very well. The cobs are forming well and some of the tassels are turning brown already.

Cucumber

Cucumber
27/07/2006

My cucumbers have been a bit sparse this year, which is typical when we have a salad summer. This specimen is looking rather good, almost straight enough to comply with EU regulations!

Greenhouse Construction 3

Greenhouse Construction 3
27/07/2006

The view up plot 29 with the greenhouse parts neatly piled together ready for assembly when I get time and weather.

In the background you can see the potatoes are doing really well. Just hope the crop is as good as the haulm.

Andalusian Bull

Andalusian Bull
27/07/2006

Next door's plot (28) now boasts a rather impressive Andalusian bull weather vane. Rather swish our allotment site nowadays,

New Posh Compost Bin

New Posh Compost Bin
28/07/2006

I joined the Posh Bin club and got this 800 litre bin for ?20.00 from the council.

Although it is slightly at an angle, it should do the job well enough. To the side is the old bin with the big hole in the front, which reduces its effectiveness.

Behind are the two large bins, one is full of leaves and the other is full of composting material.

Anya Potatoes

Anya Potatoes
30/07/2006

Harvesting the potatoes, you can see half a row of Anya in the wheel barrow and the piles of haulm and weeds waiting their trip to the compost heap.

Anya are my favourite potato. They are a cross between pink fir apple and desiree but are a second early that are great in salads, fairly productive and very tasty. They store well which is a bonus. We kept last years until Christmas.

You can also see my potato fork, bought in France. The wide tines help keep the potatoes up but it doesn't help too much when the ground is dried into concrete!

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