July is Here!

Lettuce Spring Onions and Rainbow Chard

You only have to be away from the garden for a few days to notice the differences, and see how quickly things grow and change, I had not been into the allotments for a couple of days due to bad weather of constant rain. So My hubby had been collecting New Potatoes and Chard, Spring Onions and Lettuce, along with Kale for Salads.

So I was amazed to see how the Dahlia’s had grown and were now starting to flower. 

Dahlia’s starting to flower Click to enlarge.

I also had a surprise when I looked at the Red Current Bush, Last year I left them when ripe for one more day, only to return to find them all gone.. This year I have netted them well and even I struggled to unravel the netting to gather a few berries.. There is still lots more left to ripen.

More Redcurrents to ripen

Redcurrents

Strawberries

The strawberries although very large this year because of all the rain, are taking their time to ripen. I managed to pick 8 large ones..  And threw 4 away which the slugs had got to, The blackbird was waiting and quickly enjoyed desert.

  But 8 was more than a fellow allotmenteer managed, as unfortunately a thief thought he/she would take all of his over night. 

It seems we have someone who either is slipping through the hedge or someone who has an allotment Key helping themselves… As on another plot 2 roots of potatoes were dug up and stolen. But when all our plots are open apart from the perimeter fence, there isn’t a whole lot you can do. Except accept it, as the police do nothing, even when lots of sheds got broken into all in one night and expensive machines were taken such as rotavators and mowers they never came, only giving a crime number to the Plots Managers.

We would sooner give things away and would happily share and do often between plots. And it is quite down heartening when people put time money and effort into growing their own food to then have someone come along to take it.

On a lighter note  remember I said our apple tree had blossom, well a few have set into fruits not many I counted 8 so fingers crossed we get some apples for the first time this year ,, Seems 8  is the magic number right now 🙂

Apple Tree fruits Appear

So far too I have picked lots of Raspberries too, and the Blueberry bushes have lots on too, but not ready for a while yet.  You can see how quickly things have grown from comparing these two photo’s of where I weeded out near the path near the shed las time to how quickly the marigolds have come into flower  with the same boarder a few weeks later on the second photo.

I set too and weeded out all of the grass that had grown.

Marigolds, looking at the Raspberries and Loganberries behind them.

I found a lovely recipe in Deliciously Ella’s cook book for Kale and Avocado Salad. I found a similar one here which she shows you how to prepare so easy! and Delicious.

  I hope all of your Veggies are thriving 

Happy Gardening

Sue