What I did today - 2019

[Mudsweatandtea]

Picked, podded and blanched first of the broad beans. Pulled bolted chard and leafies, pruned squash vines. Found the first pumpkin has set, must research why male squash/pumpkin flowers aren't producing pollen? resowed gaps in rows

[jonahjonah]

Yesterday: added to the compost bin, yanked a huge wad of bindweed from the patch with the neglected rhubarb on the new plot, watered, and harvested a couple bits

[ameno]

must research why male squash/pumpkin flowers aren't producing pollen? resowed gaps in rows

I've always found that to be the case. Never have found out why. It might well be that squashes simply produce less pollen than courgettes do.

[SarrissUK]

Ventured up to the allotment today after just over a week away due to family coming over from Sweden. They loved the allotments too, but soon realised that I post pics of what looks good and only occasionally of what doesn't haha
So, today I had some weeding to do, but it was as quick as it could be. Watered thoroughly, because despite it being forecast rain and thunder today and tomorrow, I'm not expecting much rain fall.
Planted out more courgettes, melons, squashes and trombos that were ready, and I'm hoping they will do better. The rest that I planted well over a month ago are just sat there doing nothing much.

Harvested some chard, peas, kale, purple french beans.

Weeded the paths, watered the greenhouse, sowed cannellini beans in the greenhouse, just to try if it'll do anything from this late in the year.

Realised I need a whole load more manure, and contemplating how to get hold of the vast amounts I need without breaking my back and without it taking too long. Delivered on a trailer seems the only option.

[Small pumpkin]

Fed chilli grows, watered all the tunnels, tied up some chillies & tomatoes, harvested lots of things.

[bramble]

Watered everything in the greenhouse.
Dead headed dahlias and sweetpeas.
Weeding as usual.

[RobPro]

Yesterday we removed our two rows of pea plants, tied up cornichons to the bar in polytunnel, fed tomatoes, courgettes, butternuts, pumpkins. Finally surrended the lawn to said pumpkins...

[Lumpy]

Pulled my Triffid rhubarb into submission. It was an epic battle but the monster is now half it’s size and two neighbours are regretting saying ‘I like rhubarb’

After the 30C heat has subsided I intend to get the hose out for the first time this year so it’s bound to rain tomorrow.

[ameno]

Emptied the summer load from my compost bin, then refilled it with the half-rotted contents of my back-up compost bin. I get three loads a year with this method: one in March, one in July, and one in October.

Mulched the rest of my beans and all but two squashes.
Did some watering and weeding.

Recovered my beetroot with mesh. I covered them when small to keep birds and the leaf miner off, but since they're pretty big now I thought it was no longer necessary. The big leaves were looking rather limp when I went up there today, though, far more so than when covered by the mesh. I think they actually appreciated the shade.

Repotted my sprouting broccoli plants. They need planting out, really, but the space isn't ready yet, so they'll have to make do.

[bario1]

Filled the tank for the poly irrigation.
Watered the toms and cucs in the tunnel.
Fed the blueberries and netted one that the birds are taking the ripe fruit from.
Gave the lawn a spray - it's going to be hot today!
Watered the potatoes in bags.
Weeded.

[Small pumpkin]

Pollinated chillies & squash
Fed chillies, tomatoes, cucumber, aubergine, melons, tromboncino, dwarf french beans & asparagus.
Strimmed & mowed everywhere.
Harvested a few things.

[Can the Man]

Sowed out my curly kale, then netted it to stop rabbits and pigeons getting at it.

[ameno]

Did some weeding and watering.
Thinned my daikon radishes (they're really growing strong).

Planted out some pot-raised swede plants. Hope its not too late. The ones I direct sowed back in early June still haven't started swelling yet, even though they have plenty of leaves.

[1Bee]

Made redcurrant jelly with fruit from my lovely plot neighbour.

Tested carefully for pectin, boiled to setting point, checking faithfully with thermometer. Tested for setting. All perfect.

It did not set.

[1Bee]

On the plus side, these babies are Lady C, left in to long. They cut up into enough for about 6 people...