July has been a whirlwind of activity at the allotment, and it has been a month full of ups and downs, triumphs and lessons learned. Watering and weeding continue to take up plenty of time, but picking and prepping vegetables are now creeping up in time too. As is finding interesting ways to use the fresh vegetables - particularly the courgettes and beans that are coming in abundance. Suggestions for interesting recipes would be very welcome if you have any! I can recommend courgette chocolate brownies if you also have a glut of them.
The month started with prepping for judging day ahead of the Claygate Flower Show. The judges’ visit was a great motivator to keep everything in the best shape possible and I spent a LOT of time weeding in the lead up. Getting a score was a great indicator of where to focus my attentions. I’ve made notes and will hopefully be better prepared for next year.
This month, the allotment has been incredibly productive, providing a bounty of fresh produce that I’ve been busy transforming into various recipes for friends and family. The joy of sharing homegrown meals is unmatched. We’ve indulged in vibrant salads, roasted vegetable medleys, and even some homemade pickles. The artichokes, although planted too close together, have been a standout. I’ve been picking them small and despite their cramped quarters, they’ve produced plenty of beautifully tender and flavourful heads. I’ll either need to re-home or loose a few soon, but they’ve been delicious this year.
I’ve been watching my sweetcorn carefully the last few weeks and after hearing about a fellow allotmenteer’s sweetcorn being knocked down by foxes, I took extra precautions to protect mine. I set up a makeshift barrier around the corn using some old netting and canes. So far, it’s held up, and the sweetcorn is standing tall, tassels fluttering in the breeze. Fingers crossed it remains undisturbed until harvest time.
Not all news has been good, though. I made the mistake of not pulling the garlic and onions early enough, and unfortunately, some have succumbed to rot. It’s a hard lesson learned, and I’ll definitely be more vigilant next year. The ones that survived are now drying, their pungent aroma filling the air. Despite the losses, the experience has taught me the importance of timing in harvesting. With the garlic and onions cleared, I’ve taken the opportunity to plant fast-growing seeds in the newly available spaces. Radishes, lettuce, and spinach are now sprouting, promising another round of fresh produce soon.
Despite the challenges, July has been a month of growth and enjoyment at the allotment. Every visit brings a new discovery, whether it’s the first ripe tomato of the season or the bees buzzing around the sunflowers. The allotment is a place of peace and productivity, and I cherish the moments spent here, nurturing plants and sharing the fruits of my labour with loved ones.
The girls are also enjoying the sunny weather at the plot, especially the chance to harvest produce. They’ve been thrilled seeing their seed choices begin to crop - purple beans, chioggia beetroot and rainbow carrots. An unusual colour seems to be a good motivator for trying new food.
As we head into August, I look forward to more harvests, more cooking adventures, and more time spent outdoors. We’ve got a few more unusual crops, including tomatillos and sweet potatoes that would really like a warm August - fingers crossed we get one!
Comments