After some much needed rain this weekend, I went to the Hill this evening to keep on top of picking the courgettes, have an eye out for possible entries in next week's Annual Show; and to make a start on re-staking the asparagus bed, and reclaiming it from the dandelions which seem to have taken up residence.
But the first job was to sort out the netting cage over the first brassica bed - the whole caboodle has slid sideways - shown here. I knew at the time that I build it that it lacked integrity, and my temporary 'mast' has worked for a week or two to keep it upright, it needs a more permanent solution.
I knocked in a vertical stake at each end, and screwed each of these through into the cross piece, and instantly it is more robust. Brilliant.
Getting the asparagus bed cleared required some caution - I can't just fork all the dandelions out as I'd be digging up the asparagus crowns too, so it was a case of wriggling the fork about to loosen the soil, and try to pull the dandelions out.
With inch thick, foot long roots, many of which I snapped - most of the dandelions will be back, so I've won the battle but not the war. I hope that I haven't done the asparagus too much damage - as it is, I can see about 4 gaps where the crowns are not active/dead, so maybe I should be looking at replacing those. Annoying not to be able to clear the bed properly.
Whilst clearing the weeds, I got absolutely bitten to bits - and ended up with a forearm swollen to the size of Popeye's - so I called it a day and retreated to the club house for restorative beer before home time.
As the Autumn has been fairly mild, the weeds continue to grow, so today's job was to weed the leek bed. 
As one crop finishes, another is ready to harvest, assuming that you are a bit organised (bit hit and miss with me) - so I came home this afternoon with a carrier bag full of kale, and the first of about a dozen cabbages, which is the size of my head. Leeks look good too, but they can wait for another day.
But I am now just a bit overwhelmed! This haul is from today's visit to the Hill, and one picking session last week, and doesn't include the three baby courgette I had for tea tonight.
I had a 'cuckoo in the nest' bean which has turned out to be a purple climber - and how prolific is this one plant! Can also see the beans against the green foliage, which makes them easier to pick; and they are utterly stringless when cooked, even if a bit big. Fortuitous sowing error.
I had a good weeding session, and note the brassicas all looking fab. It's still warm enough in the evenings for a t shirt, although it is noticeable how the nights are drawing in.
Plenty of fun at the Annual Show, as ever. 
It's Annual Show time again, so went to the Hill yesterday to pick everything in sight, then spent last night sorting through French and runner beans, rhubarb and courgettes. 
After some much needed rain this weekend, I went to the Hill this evening to keep on top of picking the courgettes, have an eye out for possible entries in next week's Annual Show; and to make a start on re-staking the asparagus bed, and reclaiming it from the dandelions which seem to have taken up residence.
I knocked in a vertical stake at each end, and screwed each of these through into the cross piece, and instantly it is more robust. Brilliant.
Getting the asparagus bed cleared required some caution - I can't just fork all the dandelions out as I'd be digging up the asparagus crowns too, so it was a case of wriggling the fork about to loosen the soil, and try to pull the dandelions out. 
