September Catch-up

I haven't blogged for over 2 months as have been lucky enough to have had some solid paid work to do, but it has really taken it out of me! Visits to the plot have been ever more important in doing something other than struggling through archaeological reports and then struggling to recover! The plot isn't struggling though and it has been a lovely, productive summer.

This was at the beginning of the Great Cucumber Harvest: we've had smooth ones, knobbly ones and gherkin ones (as usual I lost all the labels with their proper names) but they've been brilliant this year. The French and runner beans have produced a great amount, and patty pan squashes and turks turban rather good too. I've never had so many tomatoes ripen so quickly at home, in fact the harvest is nearly over, but the plot greenhouse ones still have plenty to come on. Courgettes have finally provided us with a much coveted glut.  And raspberries (Autumn Bliss) have belied their name by producing from May/June (in the greenhouse) to September and, by the looks of it, way beyond.

Here are the Ratte Potato Queen and King (top of the slope) addressing their followers, who include several ducks. Their subjects are legion as the following picture suggests

 

I'm really pleased with Ratte, and will definitely grow them again- really prolific, really tasty. Also putting in a good effort are the chillies. A mixture of varieties grown- the picture shows the type that I used to pick out of  late night kebabs. Sadly I don't eat chillies at all, but will grow them again for those that do.

 

I'd also like to say well done to the sweetcorn- small but perfectly formed. The second year of growing has seen a 100% increase in crop from the previous year, when they all failed.

And I am happy with this year's flowers- constant sweetpeas, a massive show of verbena and borage (loved by the site bees) good dahlias, sunflowers (not enough) and new for this year: gladioli- an allotment staple.

I like to keep a few hot water plants in the greenhouse too- though I don't see them most of the time, they really brighten up the view inside the scruffy glasshouse.

 

And this is the view into our plot from the adjoining communal area: we cleared the gateway to restore the way through when we took on the plot. You can just see one clematis I planted in this area (Polish Spirit)- but I want, no demand, more, many more- I am a clematis addict!