July 2007

Along with everyone else our plants have continued to suffer from the damp weather. My second sowing of tomato plants just didn't progress nor the melons.

Surprisingly though the peppers have continued to bear fruit. A few days sunshine and some started to turn red. The flavour on these was wonderful. Somehow in addition to the normal pepper taste there is also a fragrance that is completely missing in shop bought ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another star performer has been the wautoma cucumber. The plants are not large but there is a constant supply of fruit from them. Again the taste and smell surpasses the shop bought versions. We are picking them as they reach the size to provide one serving each. After all why eat anything less than perfectly fresh

 

 

 

The bought in cabbage and brussels sprouts have appreciated the weather and are thriving. There seems to be no damage from slugs or other insects.

 

The hulless oats look to be doing OK as is the row of swede we planted in front although the leaves of the swede seem to be suffering more from the insects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aquillon french beans are just about finished. Again these coped well with the weather. The Or d'Rhinn climbing french beans are just taking over production now. The pods are hidden behind the abundant foliage so it's a good job they are not green. They start off a pale green and are turning towards a creamy yellow. Excellent fried in butter with chillis from the garden.

I think these two varieties have been a good combination. We'll definitely repeat them next year.

 

 

 

The Seed Amaranth did nothing much sown in compost. I am sure this was down to poor quality compost and patchy watering. In contrast the rows sown direct into the soil are now growing away really well. I think this has been helped by slightly less rain towards the end of July and a little bit more sun.

 

 

 

 

The cobs are beginning to form on the strawberry popcorn. We enjoyed the few good cobs we had from the ashworth sweet corn but most were a bit patchy. Down to poor pollination I guess the weather yet again. Those cobs that were too patchy to bother with were really enjoyed by the chickens. They made a good treat and gave them something to do when the weather was lousy.

 

 

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