The first of the summer crop
Apologies for there not being a report from the allotment team for the last a couple of weeks – but whilst the blogger has been on holiday the others have been hard at work on the plot cultivating the fruit and veg and enjoying the first of the summer crops. 
The former asparagus bed has now been dug over and the winter purple sprouting broccoli planted out. The other winter brassicas – kale, Pentland Brig and black kale, red cabbage and Brussel sprouts have also been put into their winter quarters and netted.
New Veg this year: The new veg this year is Quinoa – described as the superfood of the Andes. The germination and early growth was difficult but some plants are now ready for putting into the ground and have been planted out.
Fruit: The soft fruit is ripening fast so time to get it all netted against the birds. The one remaining blackcurrant bush has had a misfortune with broken branches and all the fruit stripped off before ripening. A mystery but surely the damage has been done by birds and the local pheasant. The strawberry crop has been the best ever but quite a number of berries have been found cut off at the stalk and lying on the ground. The most likley culprit here is mice and trapping is the answer but since we are not on site every day to deal with the traps we shall just bear it and let them have their share.
Vegetable cropping: Last Thursday saw the first dig of early potatoes and there was a good boiling to take home.
Maintenance : The ground is quite dry, though nothing is showing signs of suffering but to make sure the crops bulk up and are sweet and juicy the team have have started to give everything a good soaking each week. The water is directed at the roots of each plant to get the moisture going down into the soil and takes time but giving a quick spray just wets the surface which soon dries out.
Biochar: The allotment team is trialling the use of Biochar again this year and already there are differences in the growth of the cabbages and potatoes with an obvious difference in size in those in the Biochar bed. However there is no visible difference in the onions so far.
DATE for your diaries – OPEN DAY SUNDAY 24 AUGUST 2.30PM – 4PM
George Anderson will be giving a workshop on the summer pruning of fruit starting at 3pm. We hope to offer teas and home baking, and have a produce stall including jam. All are welcome.
Jobs for next week: Net the Tayberry and bramble; Watering especially the tubs and the Saskatoon but don’t water the Biochar bed. Clear ground round the apple and pear trees and fork in some compost; Check if carrots need to be thinned; Weeding of course!
