ALLOTMENT SUNDAY 4/11/2012

After a very short growing season this year, with the wettest Spring and Summer and the wettest June/July since 1926 the Potatoes and Tomatoes were ravaged by the dreaded "Blight" which destroyed most of the crops, not only on our allotments on a national level, but the farmers to have had their crops destroyed by "Blight", and many other crops which have rotted through the heavy rains. Which in turn we have not seen any Butterflies, Dragon Flies, Bees, and even the Frogs have been in decline. The flowers and plants have not been propergated properly and pollination ha not happened this year, as very little has grown this year.

Even though we had a glut of Broad beans this year the best crop in three or four years! And the Runner Beans have had quite a good glut too. Although the Peas weren't so good we had an abundance of Logan Berries wow did we, must have gathered at least about 10-15lb over the so-called summer and Indian summer. The Raspberries were no existent and the Strawberries were lush!!

Our Turkish Fig Tree wow has grown nearly three times bigger since last year with at least 20 to 30 figs growing but came to nothing with no sunshine, it was diheartening for sure, but, we will spruce her up abit and cut back the dead branches this year for spring growth. Yea! and we were given a Peach tree this year which is establishing well and hopefully will fruit next year. Our Blackcurrant bushes we rescued from neglect as was the Raspberry Canes which needed much TLC. So they have been transplanted and establishing well.

As for the overgrown Courgettes/Marrows we have turned into Chuntney and Rustic Pickle and what we would called "Marrow Hooch" a Marrow Rum Liquer. We will see what becomes of the Parnips this year which usually get turned into "Bombay Parsnip Chutney" and "Parsnip Ollarosso Sherry" for Christmas time!!

This week we have pulled our first Autumnal Carrot "Chantaney" & "Autumn King" steamed with sea-salt and and sprinkle of sugar and served with a generous know of butter.

The Greenhouse is laden with Green Sweet Pepper and Small Firey red Chilli Peppers which are still in full crop in November already and the Strawberries are Flowering again!!

So today this blessed Sunday a wander down to the allotments and what a beautiful sight to behold and the sweet scent of mother earth all the colours in the trees and leaves falling under foot. After heavy rains the earth was clumpy for our soil here in Winchester,  Hampshire, is very chalky and cluggish, the soil makes good Prayer Bowls but thats another story to hare. The jerusalem Artichokes are abundant and we have started to dig them out and tilt the earth, preparing a good bed for the Autumnal White Onions and Red Onions and Garlic, and was able to cut 9 Red Cabbages so we can pickle in Red Wine Vinegar and Fennel seeds ready for Boxing Days "Bubble & Squeak" n Cold meats and cheeses, yummmmy!!!

Copyright (c) 2012 Lizzie & Joshua