Veg Journal - 2010 August
This was the first month when we could (almost) sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labours. There was
quite a lot of clearing which needed doing as earlier crops finished, and still the fight against aphids and
caterpillars. But the tomato harvest was starting to be good!
Week ending 8th August
1st to 8th - On holiday!
Week ending 16th August
9th - Returned from Abergavenny. The weather has been mostly dry. The outdoor tomatoes are doing well although 2
of the yellow tomatoes have split. There are bulges in the potato tub! The marrows are doing well, but the leaves are
now covering the lollo rosso. The sweetcorn are swelling nicely. More heads are coming on the calabrese, & one of the
broccoli is still looking sickly - the others are OK. The summer cabbage is over-ready for pulling but probably OK.
One of the savoys seems to have rotted at the top, but the other 2 & the autumn cabbages are hearting up nicely. The
kale is doing well & we have some visible swedes. The remaining turnips are over-ready. The chard, beetroot & spinach
are doing well, although there is no sign of the latest beetroot which I'm not sure when I planted. The French beans
are doing very well - lots are ready for picking & lots more flowers are coming. The latest batch of radishes are
rather overshadowed by the French beans - not many are growing, but the earlier batch is ready for pulling. The lollo
rosso & rocket are not doing too well either - flea beetles. The potatoes are still in green leaf & the leeks are
doing well. The peas are almost over, but there are lots of runner beans to pick. The onions & carrots are doing well
- the latest batch of spring onions & carrots are through. Parsnips, celery & shallots are all looking good. The
greenhouse tomatoes look OK - there are quite a lot of plum & cherry toms forming. No fruits on the peppers yet, but
there are still a lot of flowers. Lots of aubergines are ready to harvest.
10th - Took the rotting leaves off the savoy cabbage - found a caterpillar, but did it cause it? Pulled up the
oldest of the lollo rossos & used the leaves, which were hidden by the marrow leaves. Harvested a marrow (8lb 10oz).
Picked 4lb of blackberries.
11th - Harvested some French beans (14oz) & runner beans (1lb 2oz). Also the 3 ripe yellow tomatoes. Made a gallon
each of blackberry & pea pod wine.
12th - Harvested 3 aubergines (6oz). The oldest plum tomato in the greenhouse is definitely turning red!
13th - Rained quite heavily all day.
16th - Decided to sow some lollo rosso in a pot as the last sowing & the latest rocket have all died or been eaten.
Picked more French beans (1lb 2oz).
Click on the photo to see a bigger version:
-
Blackberries! (10th Aug)
-
-
-
-
Week ending 24th August
17th - Picked some more calabrese which is being badly affected by whitefly & there are some grey aphids on the
broccoli. Harvested the first head of celery.
18th - Harvested more beetroot (3lb 7oz) for pickle & wine. Pulled up the peas & took the netting cage down. Picked
the last of the peas (5oz). Quite a lot of blackfly on some of the peas & on the runner beans. Found 2 more
caterpillars under the brassica cage. Pulled up the last lollo rosso as it was dying under the marrow leaves.
19th - Harvested 2 yellow tomatoes, a marrow (7lb 14oz) & the last 2 radishes. Put some of the marrow in a bowl
with salt overnight.
20th - Had to stake all the sweetcorn plants as they were being blown over by the strong wind. Made about 5lb of
marrow & apple chutney. Harvested more runner beans (15oz).
21st - Harvested 3 yellow tomatoes. The red tomatoes from Lindsey are starting to change colour.
22nd - The outdoor cherry tomatoes are beginning to change colour.
23rd - The lollo rosso in a pot is coming through. Picked more French beans (14oz). Looks like there are some
peppers setting. Harvested a couple of carrots (6oz).
24th - Harvested 2 yellow tomatoes, a marrow (14lb 8oz) and 9oz aubergines.
Click on a photo to see a bigger version:
-
The potting shed, in the process of being refurbished (23rd Aug)
-
Quite possibly the biggest marrow we've grown so far (24th Aug)
-
-
-
Week ending 31st August
25th - Picked 1 red tomato (Lindsey's) and made 8 jars of marrow & apple chutney.
26th - Harvested a marrow (7lb), 1 yellow tomato, some chard, 1 shallot, carrots (5½oz). Our big outdoor
tomatoes are starting to ripen.
27th - Picked 3 yellow tomatoes.
28th - Harvested more calabrese and some runner beans (1lb).
29th - Harvested 1 yellow tomato & 1 red tomato (Lindsey's).
30th - Picked 1 yellow tomato & our 1st red outdoor tomato!
31st - Picked 2 yellow tomatoes & 2 outdoor cherry tomatoes. The greenhouse tomatoes are starting to ripen.
|
