At last! We’ve finally planted the Brussels sprouts on the allotment – they’re not quite big enough really, but we hope they’ll be encouraged now they are actually in their two beds. We’ve had real problems getting them to grow properly in their pots (which is true for a lot of plants this year, I’m afraid) – and I think it’s probably due to the fact that we can’t get proper compost any more and have to make do with the pesky peat-free variety. Yes, I know that puts me in a minority of people who prefer peat and think if it’s properly managed, then it’s not an issue. I’m also not convinced about the environmentally friendly nature of the peat-free process, but as it’s all we can get these days, we don’t have a choice. Hey ho. Anyway, here are our two beds of sprouts:
As we had such a good rainfall at the beginning of the week, everything seems to have come on quite well since then. The courgette is looking good but no more fruits as yet:
The French climbing beans are looking healthy and even have flowers now!
The mangetouts are also growing very happily and needed yet more tying in with string. And they have a very small but perfectly formed crop too.
We are also pleased with how the lettuces are doing:
In terms of flower crops, the lilies are SO nearly there!
The gerberas are in full spate:
And the sweet peas are also blooming very well:
We also have a HECK of a lot of fruit in the fruit cage which we spent some time picking. There are haskap berries (similar to blueberries), blackcurrants and red currants, plus a few tayberries too. So here is the harvest of soft fruit, a handful of mangetouts, roses, gerberas, sweet peas, one carnation and one stem from the alstroemerias:
And here are the vases at home:
Have a lovely weekend, everyone, and welcome to July!
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The Allotment Wife 