Actually, the Mini Munch cucumbers had just started to produce before we went away so I cut these three, gave a couple to my mum and dad and took one with us.
There was only one cucumber waiting for us on our return but the plants are literally dripping with fruit, there must be a dozen coming on one of the plants and only a few less than that on the other. The tomatoes are ripening very well, again the plants are covered in fruit. Mick's auntie has been watering the garden for us whilst we've been away and she's been picking the tomatoes that were ready at that time. She was most impressed with Maskotka when she tried them. I'm still pulling spring onions and there's more to come. These are the first few blueberries to ripen. I've got three plants, the fruit on one is just starting to ripen, there's no fruit ripening at all on the second one though there's lots of berries on it and the third plant hasn't got any fruit on it at all this year. I'm not concerned though as I did a bit of repotting and pruning at the start of the year so I'm hoping that it will reward me for the attention next year after having a rest this year.
Most of the potato foliage has died back now indicating that they're ready to harvest so we tipped out a couple of pots. The ones on the left are Anya and the ones on the right are Arran Pilot. We got a good yield from both pots and there's still plenty more to harvest too.
The allotment has gone mad whilst we've been away, unfortunately the weeds are growing just as well as the veggies though so we need to put a lot of work in down there. These are the carrots growing underneath the enviromesh frame covering the WoodBlocX raised bed, lots of foliage.
The thing with root crops is that even with lots of foliage there may not be very much underneath the ground. I'm very pleased to report that this isn't the case here. These carrots are Tendersnax and with the odd exception, they're all completely straight. I've never grown such fine specimens before, the WoodBlocX raised bed is definitely doing its job. My beetroot hasn't been up to much at all over the last couple of years which has been disappointing as I do love them. I sowed some at the end of the WoodBlocX raised bed and they're brilliant this year. There's only a couple here but there's plenty more yet to pull. As predicted, there were some giant marrows on the courgette plants, too far gone to actually use so they've been composted but it won't be long until there's some usable ones. The beans are just about ready to start picking now too.
Archie was glad to be back in his own home again, I think he was trying to tell Mick that the grass needs cutting here. It did the trick, Mick got it mowed on Saturday afternoon though everything's growing so fast at the moment that I'm sure it'll need another trim before the week's out.
It's all looking, and sounding, really good.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I have a touch of carrot envy. My mini munch did well with a handful of fruit.
That picture of Archie has me smiling. Flighty xx
My carrots have never grown so well, all down to the deep raised bed I suppose. I also sowed Chantenay and Nantes so I'm looking forward to seeing how they do. I've got loads of Mini Munch yet to come, I find they always give a good yield. I thought you might like that photo of Archie, I must say that he's been glad to be home, holidays are always a little hectic for him.
DeleteYou are ahead of us in the ripe tomato stakes.
ReplyDeleteI've grown four varieties this year and they're all ripening well. I had a handful of ripe fruit before I went away but it looks as though there'll be tomatoes ripening by the day now.
DeleteRemember I won your mini-munch seeds last year? They are just starting to produce cucumbers now. Isn't it great?!
ReplyDeleteI do remember. I wondered how they were doing for you. I'm glad to hear that they're now producing fruit and I look forward to hearing what you think of them.
DeleteMy blueberries are now over, but I am going to get another bush. We too are fighting nettles in our veg patch, and waiting for the root to grow on our carrots and beetroots.
ReplyDeleteI've found that the ripening times between different varieties of blueberries is huge so you could extend your cropping period by choosing a different type. I love it when the veggies are putting on lots of growth, the only problem is that the weeds put on lots of growth at that time too.
DeleteHope your summer hols went well. Looks like you have some tasty veg; the mini munch cucumbers look fat and fab.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lovely holiday, thank you. There's loads more Mini Munch cucumbers to come, they're a great cucumber to grow, tasty and prolific.
DeleteWelcome back Jo :) Hope that you had a good holiday despite the elements. It's always amazing just how much things grow when you turn your back for a few days. Your carrots look like show prizewinners. Hope that they taste as good.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We had a lovely holiday, a bit of sunshine wouldn't have gone amiss though. We ate the carrots today, they tasted delicious.
DeleteThe weeds at my plot have gone mad as well. I've only ended up with one Maskotka, and it had a bit of a rocky start in the cold late spring. Should it be a low bush? Mine is quite a strange looking thing. I've heard such good things about it I might try it again next year, but at the moment it's all quite odd. Orkado is doing quite well though, so I think that one will be a keeper. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteMy plot is so weedy that I'm sure I'm going to get a letter about it soon if we don't get it sorted out. I've never tried Orkado but I can definitely recommend Maskotka. It's not such a low bush, they do grow a little tall so I do have to stake mine and they end up sprawling all over the place, but they taste so good and they're so prolific, there's dozens of tomatoes on each of my plants. Definitely persevere with them, they're worth it.
DeleteNow, that's not a bad harvest to come home to !
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of Archie, it made me smile.
All the best Jan
Everything's just starting to produce now, the promise of things to come. Archie was pleased to be home, he loves the beach and being beside the sea but he's never really relaxed unless he's in his own home with his own surroundings.
DeleteIt seems you're having a good year with your veg and it all looks delicious. The raised beds definitely seem to work well. I found a few more potatoes when I dug our veg bed getting ready for Spring. We've also discovered what we think are two large blueberry plants. Not having any leaves in winter when we moved here, I wasn't sure what they were, so lets keep our fingers crossed. I can see lots of healthy meals ahead for you. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThe WoodBlocX raised bed is ideal for carrots and other root veg as it's so deep, it allows for a good root to develop. I love blueberries and usually get a decent crop from my three small bushes.
DeleteWelcome back Jo! And how wonderful to have such delicious goodies waiting for you in the allotment. Those carrots are amazing - I know what you mean about the foliage, it can be deceiving.
ReplyDeleteI love going on holidays, but I often enjoy coming back home just as much.
Thank you. It's always exciting coming home from a holiday and looking what's waiting at the plot. I've got lots more carrots just waiting to be pulled, more of these Tendersnax and another two varieties too so it will be interesting to compare how they've all done.
DeleteJo you have some lovely harvests there. Those carrots are looking really good, my first batch was infected by carrot fly but the follow ons have been clean. My blueberries have just started to ripen too but very few berries this year I think I have just enough to make a batch of muffins x
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with the enviromesh cage which Mick made, it's certainly kept the carrot root fly out. Some of my blueberries have been earmarked for blueberry pancakes, my favourite.
DeleteWelcome back Jo. What size do the Mini Munch grow to? Also what size pots do you use for the Blueberries and where do you keep the pots? We had just 20 berries from our two bushes so maybe we haven't got the pots in the right place.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Mini Munch usually grow to about five or six inches long, they produce loads of fruit, a couple of plants gives me more than I need for myself. My blueberries are grown in containers on the patio. The pots are about the size of a large bucket and filled with ericaceous compost as blueberries are acid loving plants. Some years they produce better than others.
DeleteIt's all so worth while when things can be eaten! Your cucumbers look very interesting - I never have much luck with them so have stopped trying. So true about the blueberries - some years are better than others. Not a good year for us this year - only a handful, unless those pesky birds have beaten me to it ! Great year last year though!
ReplyDeleteYou should give Mini Munch cucumbers a go, I've never had any problems with them. The plants are prolific and I've grown them both outdoors and in the greenhouse with similar results. I have to watch the blackbirds near my blueberries, they're very partial to them.
DeleteWhat a great harvest to come home to, the spuds and carrots do look fab....glad to hear you also have beets....mine are tiny this year! I don't have a single blueberry on my four bushes.....I shall give them and good prune and hope for the best next year. lovely to see Archie, hope you all had a lovely holiday despite the lack of sunshine.xxx
ReplyDeleteEverything's coming along really well now, most things are in full production and some just about to start so there's always something to harvest. We did have a good holiday, there was some sunshine but not enough for my liking.
DeleteI love Archie!!!
ReplyDeleteI think that I am so much behind with my tomatoes. There are plenty of green ones but I haven't harvested any yet. And I really can't wait for the cucumbers! It is too cold for them though...
Archie is a gorgeous dog, but then I'm biased. My tomatoes and cucumbers are in full production but good things come to those who wait. I'm sure you'll still be harvesting yours long after mine are all gone.
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