Too hot for the plot

At the end of last week, the temperatures soared, so it was far too hot to do any work on the plot. We did manage some harvesting and general tidying at the beginning of the week, and also managed some fun time with Ruby.

On Wednesday, once again, we headed for the coast. There was none of the uncertainty of the previous visit as Ruby plunged into the sea.

The timing of our visit was unfortunate, as Ruby was clipped and groomed on the previous day. The visit had been scheduled for the week before but the weather caused us to postpone.

On returning home, it was time for a shower to rinse away any salt. Two showers in two days was the price Ruby had to pay for a day's fun.

Thursday we visited Nostell, and walked through the ever changing meadow.

We now, have to adapt our route to avoid whichever field  the cattle have been let in to graze. Dogs and cattle are often not a happy mix. Not that Ruby would trouble them, she just stands and stares at them, but they may decide to take exception to her presence and turn nasty. There have been several incidents whereby dog walkers have been attached by cattle.

The lime trees were in full flower and treating us to their lovely perfume.

I didn't manage a photo of the cygnets, as they were feeding amongst the reeds, and my camera refused to focus but all four cygnets are thriving.

Back at the allotment, we managed a little tidying and I thinned out the mooli seedlings.

We have decided to cut back most of the redcurrant bushes which we inherited when we took over the plot. They had produced quite a thicket so the idea is to cut most down to the ground, leaving some to, hopefully, provide us with some fruit until the bushes that have been cut right back produce fruiting branches. Redcurrants fruit on two to three year old wood.

Cutting the bushes down meant that we could harvest some berries that neither us nor the wood pigeons had managed to reach.

Sunday we made a flying visit to do some essential watering and to plant a third lot of broad beans. This time, the variety was Luz de Otono. These should crop in autumn and have been planted in some temporary space in the new strawberry bed.

13 July 2021 - Courgettes - Ambassador, Black Forest and Boldenice, Raspberries - mixed varieties, Blueberries, Sweet Peas and a sprinkling of Jostaberries

16 July 2021,  Cabbages - Regency. Calabrese - Calabrini, Courgette - Boldenice, Ambassador and Black Forest,  Gooseberries,  Blackcurrants, Blueberries. Raspberries, Redcurrants and another sprinkling of Jostaberries,

The gooseberries and blueberries are under netting to protect them from wood pigeons and blackbirds. The plague of wood pigeons means that next year, we will probably need to cover more of our fruit. This year any berry harvest is a bonus.

Sweet peas are flowering profusely, which means we are busy cutting the flowers so that the plants don't produce seed pods and think that their job is done.

18 July 2021 - Courgettes - Boldenice, Ambassador and Black Forest

On the menu last week were meals that took advantage of our seasonal harvesting.

Monday, we had a cheesy cauliflower bake based on this recipe. I added some courgette and mushrooms to the dish.

Friday I used some courgettes in a Turkey ratatouille based on this recipe.

Sunday, some of the calabrese went into a chicken dish based on this recipe.

This week is set to, more or less, end our Covid restrictions. With cases rising and three of our chief ministers, including the Prime Minister, self-isolating, only time will tell whether this is the right move or whether it will precipitate another surge of this awful disease. Personally, I will not be returning to my pre-Covid lifestyle any time soon.

As always wherever you are keep safe and well.

This week I   am once again joining in with Dave’s Harvest Monday collection of posts over at Our Happy Acres.

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett