Summer is definitely here, the weather is unpredictable, but it is definitely warmer than the rest of the year. We haven’t been at the allotment as much as we should, we are clearly enjoying our weekends too much!
Even though there has been some progress in our fruit and vegetables, the weeds seem to grow twice as fast! I have ruled out slugs as the culprits behind eating the earlier seedlings and it now appears to be either the pigeons or mice who ate all the pea seeds, carrot seedlings and decimated the brassica’s. After a little research, next year we will be netting some vegetables and using gorse sprigs around the seedlings and possibly soaking peas in a mild seaweed solution so they are too salty for the mice’s taste. If anyone has any other ideas about protecting vegetable plants from mice and birds, I would be very interested!
After a third sowing of peas, indoors and until they were at least 15 cm high, which were replanted at both the allotment and in the garden we finally have fresh peas. I have never had such a problem until this year, but glad to finally have that first taste of summer veg, garden peas are my favourite!
We also have a couple of small courgettes forming, late as well, partly due to a very late and unexpected frost and partly due to a small person destroying the remaining plants… But at least they are actually growing and growing well!
Our strawberries that were planted bare root are flourishing and we have now separated the plants out as more space is cleared at the allotment. We haven’t been often enough to control the runners, so we have a few new strawberry plants too. I’m trying to cut most runners at the moment to encourage strawberry production. However, we’re not expecting much this year as they are just becoming established.
Despite repeated sowings of carrot seeds not managing to grow, the parsnips are looking brilliant and we should hopefully have plenty for our Christmas dinner! I need to man-up and thin them out a little more, but as we’ve had a difficult growing year I find it hard to remove perfectly good plants.
We also have two beds of potatoes ready to harvest, they are always an easy crop and I love digging for them, it’s like a mini treasure hunt, which the kids love to get involved in too.
To try and ease the weed problem and get rid of the grass at the allotment we’re slowly laying down weed matting to suppress the grass and tidy the plot up. There are two hidden beds under the grass, that we will eventually dig out once we have sorted the rest of the plot. With the weed matting on top, it will hopefully make that job easier when we finally decide to dig them out!
In the far corner of the allotment are several fruit bushes; raspberry, blueberry and gooseberry, all of which are growing well, we just need to remove the nettles between them so we can pick them all!
How are your forays into the fruit and veg growing world going?
J x
* I was sent a vegetable growing pack and bare rooted strawberries as part of this post, however all opinions are my own.
Plutonium Sox says
Ooh it looks like you’re getting on well! I never managed to suss out what to do about things eating the seedlings when I was growing and I haven’t managed to find time to do it for a few years. The peas look lovely and I’m sure your courgettes will do well, we were so overrun with courgettes I can’t even begin to explain how many we had 😉 Well done for your growing efforts, I hope you all enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Nat.x
Clare's Little Tots says
Looks like you’re doing a great job. I’m so not green fingered at all which is a shame as I know its such a wonderful opportunity for the kids. I always say next year I will do it…but always forget / fail.
Susan Mann says
Love this. It is great to get kids involved in growing and a excellent to get kids to eat fresh produce. Your allotment looks fab xx
Sarah says
It must be so satisfying growing all those veggies. We attempted to grow peas from window boxes and we had a few pods but not enough. I may have to put my name down on an allotment waiting list. Well done Jenny. Sarah #WhateverTheWeather
Ava @ My Meena Life says
I would love to have my own little garden at some point. It looks like you are starting to reap the benefits of your hard work!
Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby says
It’s nice to hear your fruits and veggies are growing well and finally harvesting some peas. We only have plum tree and some raspberry in our garden at the moment, our plum has showing fruits this year unlike last year, we’re just waiting for it to ripen a bit then we can start harvesting. #Whatevertheweather
Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons says
Oh wow, it sounds like you’ve done really well to me! We grew potatoes in bags this year and I’ve just harvested them all – didn’t get a huge crop, but from 3 bags we got enough for a huge bowl of potato salad to take to a BBQ and also a roast dinner. I’ve gone for beetroot, which has done amazingly well – I still have half still in the ground to be harvested. I like the idea of courgettes – I think those are on my list for next year (although I’ve been warned about the huge amount of space they take up!) #WhatevertheWeather
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope) says
Your garden looks lush! Every plant looks blooming. I have potted sunflower and strawberry. The strawberry is giving us non stop supply of mini strawberry but the sunflower has yet to flower as a caterpillar munched on its leaves. #whatevertheweather
natalie says
I love this idea – my girls would really enjoy planting the seeds and watching them grow, however I am hopeless on the gardening front. You have done amazing!#whatevertheweather
Baby Isabella says
Love your allotment! So talented to grow all those veggies! Our favourite are garden peas and parsnips! Enjoy them at Christmas 🙂 #WhateverTheWeather xx
Sally says
A lovely allotment. And great to have the children involved. They must love it.
Helena says
We’ve had strawberries, carrots and runner beans all growing. Oh and our little sunflowers are getting taller. #Whatevertheweather
sarah@teammomlife says
Your garden looks gorgeous! The community garden that we started at my work just started producing bell peppers and tomatoes and I’m so excited. Your peas look delicious 🙂 #Stayclassymama
Lauren (The Helpful Hiker) says
Good work, it all looks lovely. I tried a few bits this year, but nothing really worked-mainly because I don’t have time to look after it! I think I may have to write this year off and try again next year, I’m determined to grow something with Finn that we can actually eat.
Mudpie Fridays says
Sounds like you are doing a great job!! We have been particularly slack this year although I am blaming Kipper’s arrival. I think we have managed broadbeans and strawberries!! Our plan now we are coming into Autumn is to do some rusting up so we are ready for spring! Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather sorry I’m late just catching up after the Summer holidays