Now That's What I Call Summer!

I didn't realise that when Summer had arrived on my last post, it had bought it's suitcase and was settling in for the duration.  I can't remember a summer like this since 1976 - just superb!

The plants love it too - after a slow start and a cool Spring, there is a great rush of growth, and along with the picking broad beans, peas and lettuce galore, I've had my first courgette, potatoes and  french beans - the ever reliable 'Early Warwick'.

The courgettes in particular are already going great guns - I've had 13 off the three plants in just a week. Eek!  The spaghetti squash is growing a-pace too - I have planted out the sweetcorn in the same bed and must make sure that they are not overwhelmed.  Cucumbers too are squashed in this squash bed (ha ha!) with the whole lot being watched over by Grumpy George.

We've a scarecrow competition at the Hill this year, and after a bit of a Blue Peter moment I came up with this fine fellow.There are some fine scarecrows on display, and I must take some photos for a rogue's gallery!.

A consequence of continued hot and sunny weather is that it's been very dry, and last night, despite 32 watering cans full, I only really tickled the surface.

The one crop suffering in particular is the celeriac, which needs plenty of water, and I regret planting it out at the point which is exactly the furthest away from the standpipe on the whole plot.

Coming to the fore for action this weekend is picking the red and blackcurrants.  I'm a bit worried about this, as at the mo, the bed is one giant currant hedge, and one which has eaten a whole load of netting too.  I'm borrowing some loppers tomorrow (the shoots and branches are too much for my secateurs), and hope to both knock the thicket into some sort of order, and come away with plenty fruit.

I foresee wine making in my future...

Summer's Here!

I bet you thought I'd fallen down a rabbit hole never to be seen again!  No, indeed not.

And I have been diligently gardening, even if I have not been diligently blogging. Tut tut!

So when you lot last metaphorically joined me at the Hill, you were admiring my newly planted out peas and broad beans, waiting for me to plant out my french and runner beans, and were watching me eat my first delightful spear of asparagus.  Yum.

So, during June, I have sneaked a little more asparagus (best not to overcrop); planted out my celeriac, squash and courgettes;






erected the bean frame and planted out all the beans;

watched the broadies and peas flower and yield pods;








planted out the tomatoes in the courtyard garden into their buckets, and watched everything grow like billy-o.

The weather has had a bit of a rush to the head with proper wall-to-wall hot July sunshine which is set to last, and the plot loves it.

And I have just started to pick lettuce, peas and broad beans - and tonight the first bunch of sweet peas, I love them!








It's not just been me gardening - we had a Work Party at the site at the weekend which involved all pitching in to spruce things up ready for the judging of the Best Allotment Site in Birmingham.  We hope to defend our crown!

And my fellow plotholders continue to make it a pleasure to be there - long my it (and this glorious Summer) continue!