Allotment Tales – The harvesting continues!
Thursday was a bit sharp and overcast to start with (after 2 glorious days of sun) but the sunshine eventually won out over the haar approaching from Arthur’s Seat.
We harvested our first red cabbage – a sturdy beast that took some effort to cut in half, given we only had a penknife, the tiny blade plunged haggis-like into its heart!
Our brassicas continue to thrive. Beer traps were replenished. This week we netted the purple sprouting broccoli, kale (Pentland Brig) and the Brussel sprouts, also the beetroot which the pigeons are beginning to nibble.
The Apple Arch got a bit of attention as our cookers (Lord Derby, Lanes Prince Albert and Grenadier) are ripening well. We’re beginning to trip over trugs. These are multiplying in our attempt to keep the apples stored separately by variety and status (picked or windfalls). Roll on Apple Pressing Day on the 28th of September.
The great bean harvest continues plus we pulled some fat little carrots and picked autumn raspberries, and possibly the last of the blueberries and sweet peas.
All beds were watered as the soil was quite dry, grass was cut and borders edged. We sowed green manure where the peas had been (Winter Tares) and took flowers off the strawberry plants (to promote plant strength as the fruiting season is passed). Looking toward Spring, we planted a batch of mixed narcissus under the willow frames.
Our day wouldn’t be complete without a bit of gore. This week it was a dead rat. Don’t worry, no accompanying photo!
Jobs for Next Week:
- Dig more maincrop tatties;
- sow more green manure as beds become freed up;
- check the sweetcorn;
- continue to deadhead the strawberry plants
