The pigeons didn't beat me!

After a bit of a disatrous start with the brassicas, the pigeons cleared them out initially but they have done OK (http://annieslittleplot.blogspot.com/2011/07/kaleidoscope-of-colour.html).  The first small plants I put in were completely shredded by the pigeons and once I realised that was what was eating them I soon invested in some netting. Luckily I had grown on more plants than I needed so had a second chance. I planted some Calabrese 'Belstar' which had lovely big heads and when I chopped the main head off they sprouted quite a few smaller ones. The Kale has been cropping for ages, I have planted two varieties, the Black Tuscan (Carvelo nero) and 'Scarlet' which has a hint of red so looks good too. I planted some cabbage 'Primo' which was OK but I should have just planted that later as its not really something I eat much of over the summer and would have been better as a winter crop. I also probably planted the purple sprouting broccoli too early too as I've been harvesing that off and on for quite a few weeks and I'm not sure how long that will last into the winter but we'll see.

I'm particularly excited about my Romanesco broccoli, only a couple got past the seedling stage! Its the first time that I have grown that and I can't wait to pick this.

Some you win some you lose...

I have some great successes at my allotment this year but some things have really not gone well.
I've talked about my squashes before but I'm very proud of them, I picked them last week and they are hardening off in the sun now.

I'm not sure how long they will last.
My carrots are a bit of a disappointment!

Good job I don't like carrots!
I've been picking some of my leeks, very wide but not very long.

They have a bit of rust on them but seem ok.
My biggest disappointment this year has been the sweetcorn which is one of my favourite vegetables.
It just never got going and flowered very late. I may get one or two from it if I'm lucky and we don't get any frosts.

I've had two useful days at the allotment this weekend, its been a lovely sunny weekend. I'm almost on top of the weeds in the beds. Its definitely getting emptier.

Ridiculous potatoes!

I can't believe the weather we have had, some sun at last, hopefully will ripen my tomatoes and sweetcorn. Came back from a weeks holiday to find the allotment bursting with produce, spent sunday there making the most of the good weather, weeding, harvesting and digging up my potatoes. I paid for it the day after though, was aching all over. But I've had lots of veg to eat all week.

Here's the squash, its not the biggest one! Made a delicious soup.

My maincrop potatoes were pink fir apple, which I've grown before but were never this big! I've dug up loads which will last me all winter I hope and there were some funny shapes...

A Dorset cottage garden

We've just spent the best week of the year, weather-wise, on holiday in a little village close to Lyme Regis. Beautiful countryside, fabulous beaches, good food and even better weather made for a great week. We stayed in a classic thatched cottage which was gorgeous, closest I'll ever get to having one!

The garden was a typical cottage garden with exuberent planting, I was itching to get out and do some gardening as it was a bit overgrown in places. There are parts that are like being in a secret garden.

There is a stream running by the side of the garden.

This is the back garden.

 

Here in the morning light.

The Asters were covered in butterflies.

Like a classic cottage garden there are some fruit trees.

Some free fruit.

There are alpine strawberries everywhere!

There is a nice mixture of plants.

A lovely delicate cyclamen.

The Lemon Balm is taking over a bit!

There is a lovely double Phlox.

A twisted willow.

A Witch Hazel just changing colour.

The view of the garden from the dining room of the cottage is lovely with the green glow.

Finally just had to add some photos of the coastal scenery around here its breathtaking.

Swimming at Durdle Door was fantastic!