There's not much to say about our activities last week on the plot. This is partly because we did very little and partly because what we did would be too boring to relate in any detail. The boring work is, however, essential and involves clearing away spent crops and preparing beds for their next occupants. The beds will need digging over but it was far too hot, with the temperature reaching 31.2C or just over 88F, to even contemplate anything so strenuous. I think the most strenuous job was that Martyn trimmed the apple hedge.
We managed a leisurely walk around and filmed a tour of the plot it's quite a long film but, the week before, Martyn also filmed a quicker birds' eye tour.
Another reason for absenting ourselves from the allotment was that we spent a couple of days in Norfolk. The first day we spent at Sandringham, the Queen's country estate.
Maybe our expectations had been too high, but in all honesty we were rather disappointed. Scaffolding shrouded half of the house so strategic photography was required. Even though summer is on the way out we'd expected the gardens would be more impressive. We managed some scenic shots but generally my camera was unusually underemployed.
I also hope that the sandwiches served at the garden parties are of higher quality than the overpriced ones sold in one of the tearooms. I think the makers had been fearful of running out of fillings too.
We didn't venture into the house - photography wasn't allowed in there and neither would have been, Martyn's backpack. Permitted dimensions for bags were given but, although we hadn't brought a tape measure with which to check, we guessed his bag would exceed the dimensions indicated. We did however, visit the small museum that housed many vehicles owned by various royals in the past.
One thing that struck us was the vast number of wood pigeons in residence. Everywhere we went the sound of their calls assaulted our gardeners' ears. Maybe they weren't aware of the royals' fondness of shooting parties, or maybe pigeon pie isn't to royal taste.
The second day was spent at the North Norfolk Railways steam gala.
As well as some train rides we enjoyed a coastal walk and a chance to give our cameras a good workout.
No wood pigeons were observed but less raucous feathered friends were on hand to offer photo opportunities other that those provided by the steam exhaling iron beasts.
Last week we did manage some harvesting from the garden and the plot.
The garden greenhouse provided us with our largest tomato of the season. The tomato was an oxheart type called Albenga which was recommended by Roger Brook.
It's not the largest tomato that we have ever grown but was better looking than most large tomatoes.
Other tomatoes were also harvested but our total tomato harvest will be down this year, largely due to our compost problems having more or less wiped out three fifths of our allotment greenhouse tomatoes. Incidentally I have received a request from the compost company asking for a batch number from the suspect grow bags which has been provided.
 |
| 26 August |
The blueberries have just about come to an end now and the bushes will soon be sporting their beautiful autumn colouring. They have certainly earned their winter rest this year.
 |
| 29 August |
The All Gold raspberries have been stars which has been surprising given that I didn't get around to thinning out the canes and also that usually the berries are spoiled in wet and windy weather. This year, however the berries have been larger, unspoiled and just keep on coming. The photo above is missing a large punnet that was given to a plot neighbour.
 |
| 1 September
On Sunday we picked a small Clapton cauliflower, hopefully the rest will come in a steady stream. That's maybe wishful thinking and in reality they will all be ready at the same time, a bit like the outdoor cucumbers are now in full production mode.
We picked our Tickled Pink apples which not only have a deep red skin but the flesh is red too.
Finally I'll leave you with some of the dahlias picked on Sunday The other half went to my sister. The dahlias have filled in the cut flower gap left by the sweet peas this year providing colour if not scent, |
This week I am linking to harvest Monday hosted on
Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
Posts
Might not be your largest, but what a pretty, decorative tomato when cut. So sorry your Sandringham visit wasn't up to your expectations, and I agree that the gardens looked underwhelming. Over priced, underfilled sandwiches are nothing more than a rip off.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty tomato Deborah. You should have seen the slivers of cake, Martyn was so unimpressed he wasn't even tempted.
DeletePerhaps as Sandringham isn't a summer residence for the royals they have a garden that looks its best at other times of the year. Just a theory, probably wrong!
ReplyDeleteThat thought crossed my mind, Jessica, but if they open to the public who pay to visit they should make more effort. I think they rely on the fact that people will visit because of the royal connection.
DeleteWhat lovely tomatoes, dahlias, fruit and sweet peas. Always a delight to see your harvests.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue
DeleteI hear you. Weeks and weeks of temperatures above 31.2C or just over 88F here. I think it stops the vegetables from blooming, the harvest is so poor. Autumn is a long way off. I love looking at your vegetable and flower harvest and trying to imagine smelling their sweetness, but that is the price we pay for our nice winter.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know how you get anything done with that constant hear, Jane. It’s changed here now - it has been quite chilly today.
DeleteI would be disappointed in Sandringham too if it turned out as you described. You got some good pictures despite it all.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at the blueberries you pick this time of year. Ours are only available in June and maybe the first of July.
I would be happy to eat those funny looking carrots. I bet they are tasty.
Maybe our expectations were too high, Lisa. The blueberries have done well this year and the carrots did taste good.
DeleteIt's such a shame when you feel let down by a place, especially when you've paid good money to visit. I love the photo of the little sparrows, so cute. My tomato plants look very sad this year, they have been a little neglected though so I shouldn't complain. I'm not getting the harvest that I usually do but still enough for my needs.
ReplyDeleteI guess we just expected a royal garden to be extra special, Jo
DeleteI've been doing lots of boring chores here too, so I know how that goes. That oxheart tomato is stunning, and as large as any of my larger ones this year. I do hope your compost issues don't spill over into next year. I don't know how long the chemical persists.
ReplyDeleteThe compost is in grow bags, Dave so won’t be reused for tomatoes next year fortunately.
DeleteIt's a pity you were disappointed visiting Queen's estate, Sue. Hope you like the travel on a train. This 'heart' tomato is pretty, I should buy this seed next spring.
ReplyDeleteHappy September.
The tomato is very fleshy too, Nadezda.
DeleteLooks like a wonderful outing, minus the scaffolding and lackluster sandwiches ;). That's a gorgeous tomato, especially the cross-section. Reminds me of Costoluto Genovese, which I didn't grow this time but it will be back next year.
ReplyDeleteThe cross section is pretty and decorative, Margaret. I think the largest tomato we grew was one of the Costolutos
DeleteBrilliant harvests considering the compost problems you've had. The tomato is fab!
ReplyDeleteIt tasted good too Belinda
DeleteThat tomato!!! Loved your harvest as always, shame about the reduction in tomatoes, mine haven't been great this year either. The second day of your break would have suited me more, I'm not a fan of anything royal.xxx
ReplyDeleteWe didn't go for the royal connection, Dina. We wanted a second venue in Norfolk and thought the gardens would be special. The cars were just interesting from a historical point of view, I think they trade on the royal connection though so don't make as much effort as most NT properties do.
Delete