With the weather continuing to be very wet - heavy showers several times a day - but warm, there is no getting away from the fact that this is not shaping up to be a great veg growing year, but I'm trying to look on the sunny side, and there are a number of plus points to bring home with me from the Hill today
Broad beans - although the plants are still sorely tried by blackfly, they are also swarming with ladybirds, and these tiny first pickings have come home with me to be steamed to go with dinner.
Raspberries- wild growth of the summer raspberries has broken the support, so I've had to perform a temporary fix, meanwhile the fruit is ripening, and tasting delicious. Must take a box to collect them in next visit, or I will just scoff the lot there and then, like I did today.
Courgettes & Cucumbers - both doubled in size since last weekend, and surrounded by snail graveyard. Yuk. At least the pellets are doing their job.
Peas - these are astonishingly good. A great jungle of foliage and more tiny pods than you can shake a stick at. I've deliberately grown more tried and tested 'eating' peas (as opposed to mange tout or marrowfat) so that I will have plenty to freeze. Just as well given that the poor old beans are not going to be great this year, I fear.
Mind you, it is tricky to see what on
earth I'm going to be able to enter for the Show this year - just five weeks away, with the Schedule & entry form was published this week....
Courgettes & Cucumbers - both doubled in size since last weekend, and surrounded by snail graveyard. Yuk. At least the pellets are doing their job.
Slim pickings here too, the beans are almost going backwards! but the fruit is loving it. I'm sure you'll have something for the show, even if it's. Beans and ladybirds :)
ReplyDeletePicking red and blackcurrants is on my hit list for later in the week - once I've fought through to huge foliage growth!
DeleteYummy raspberries. What about making a pot of jam for the show. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteGood plan, Jean - or maybe currant jelly. Mind you, I'm not great on getting a good 'set', but I'm guessing I just don't have the practice to get the knack of it. Too much of the fruit goes into make wine - and there's not a category in the Show for that...
DeleteThose are not peas, they're Triffids :}
ReplyDeleteGlad you are finding things to be grateful for, I've never yet seen the day where b*tching about the rain made it one single drop drier :}
That's the wisest thought that's come my way for a long time!
DeleteThe peas are goooood - just as well that sumptin' is!