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We've had a couple of people tell us that they hadn't had much rain in Leeds whilst we were away, so we were really surprised to see just how bad the weeds were when we visited the plot. It's going to take some serious hard work to get it back in to shape.
The sweetcorn, which I'm usually unsuccessful with, has developed cobs which now have silks, so I'm very hopeful that I'll get a harvest this year. The beans are flowering, but they don't seem to be as good as I've had in previous years, though I'll reserve judgement until there's something to harvest. Germination didn't go according to plan though, so it may be a knock on effect. I had trouble with squash last year, but I've noticed some fruits on the sprawling plants so I'm hopeful that I'll have something to harvest eventually. All the hard work which is put in at the start of the year is so worth it when harvest time comes round.
Our runner beans are being really slow to develop this year but the broad and French beans are fine. We too may have squash this year after a squash less year last year.
ReplyDeleteMy squash is looking good so far, but I'm not counting my chickens yet, there's a long way to go. I'm really looking forward to the first French or runner beans. I nearly succumbed in the greengrocers yesterday and bought some runners, but I managed to resist and wait for my own.
DeleteYou got some lovely veg there Jo. The taste of home grown is just amazing isnt it?
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year I have grown beetroot and I am going to be able to harvest some to roast at the weekend.
I don't think you'll ever belive the difference in taste of home grown veg unless you grow your own, like you say, it's amazing. You'll love the beetroot. I'd never tasted fresh beetroot until I grew my own, I'd only ever had it pickled before, but I absolutely love it, it's delicious.
DeleteA good harvest, what we were all dreaming of in February! I don't have any cucumbers anywhere near ready yet, my crystal lemon ones are only about 1cm big at the moment!
ReplyDeleteI think many of us thought this year would be a washout with the cold start to the year, how wrong we were. My Crystal Lemon plant is doing really well, churning out the cucumbers for me.
DeleteA most tasty looking haul there Jo. You would think that less water would mean less weeds but it does not seem to be the case :( Will be thinking about you when I'm on my plot trying to get on top of mine.
ReplyDeleteMost of it's now been eaten and it was very tasty. Sorry to hear you're weeding too, a thankless task as they're back again as soon as you turn your back.
DeleteGreat looking harvest there. Funny how different areas change the harvest. My French beans are struggling but I have runner beans coming out of my ears now along with borlotti beans!
ReplyDeleteStill no beans here yet, but they're flowering so it shouldn't be long. Runners seem to do well most years whereas French beans can be a little temperamental.
DeleteA delicious harvest, well done you. I've come to the conclusion that weeds don't actually need any water! My plot was chest high with seeding weeds just over a year ago, so this year I have all of the seeds coming up. It's a nightmare! I'm really hoping that future years won't be as bad.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about weeds not needing water, I wish it were the same with veggies. I hope you manage to eradicate the weeds on your plot, mine still come back year after year, very hard to keep on top of.
DeleteI find that every year some things do well and others do badly. So good carrots and sweetcorn have to balanced against (possibly) poor beans! Those carrots look prefect. What did you do to deter the Carrot Root Fly?
ReplyDeleteYou're right about balancing it all out. Wouldn't it be great if we had a year when everything did well though. I'm really pleased with the carrots, I didn't take any precautions against Carrot Root Fly other than sow them in the old bath. Having them elevated, even a little, above the ground seems to work. Those I sow in the ground are always riddled with them.
DeleteWe've also had success with some vegetables and not with others this year. Beans have been sparse and we've only enjoyed a couple of meals with them. We have had lots of cucumbers so it's salad time at the moment with ripe cherry tomatoes! The plum tomatoes are ripening up slowly. Carrots never seem to do well although our daughter in the south of England is able to grow them and we are always chatting about gardening!
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky to have had some beans ready to harvest already, mine are flowering but none have been picked yet. It seems to be a good year for cucumbers. They've never produced so well for me as they're doing this year.
DeleteI do wish that I could grow carrots...maybe next year! I'm pleased with my cucumbers.
ReplyDeleteWeeds seem to grow regardless of what the weather's like.
I've no sweetcorn this year as the seeds didn't germinate. I'm sure that your beans will appear soon. Flighty xx
My carrots would look nothing like these if I wasn't growing them in the old bath. It's hard to get them to germinate in the ground, and if they do, the carrot root fly get them. Sorry to hear of the germination problems with your sweetcorn, I had issues myself, mainly with beans.
DeleteThis is what I would love, to be able to grow my own vegetables, then I would can them and live on them through the year. At least I would know that they weren't genetically mutated and I would know what bug killers were used... I know you know my concern over this, you're so blessed to have a garden, I Live in an apartment, but I'm thinking about doing "Container Gardening" next year to just get a feel for it, I could have strawberries and tomatoes at the very least!
ReplyDeleteTammy xx
I do know your concern over this, I think most of us have concerns after hearing so much about the chemicals which are pumped in to our food. Definitely try container gardening, I used to grow everything in containers before I got my allotment, and still have lots of tubs of this and that on the go. Perhaps you could even apply for an allotment once you get settled in England, I bet the kids would love to help you garden.
DeleteGreat looking carrots - that old bath method works really well judging by your harvest.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to work well, the only problem is that we're limited as to how many we can grow, but there's quite a lot more yet to be pulled.
DeleteA great looking harvest, hopefully many more over the coming weeks as well!
ReplyDeleteI hope so, this is only the start of everything really. I love this time of year when all the hard work earlier in the year starts paying off.
DeleteWhat a wonderful array of veg you have, all looking so delicious and fresh. Roasted beetroot? I've never tried that, but I sure will now.xxxx
ReplyDeleteYou must try roasted beetroot, so easy to prepare and tastes delicious. I'm happy with the variety of veg ready at the moment, it makes all the hard work early in the year worthwhile.
DeleteJust catching up with your blog after being away - great looking harvest Jo!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to be harvesting so many things at the moment. I do love this time of year.
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