Today was a wonderful day. I’ve not been to my allotment for a while now, what with work and the weather getting in the way. But today I was free and the weather was perfect, so off I went with my harvest basket in hand to see what I could find. Quite a lot as it turns out. So if you’re sitting comfortably then I’ll begin. I started off harvesting the Butternut Squash. The leaves have started to go blotchy and loose their greenness (is that a word?) and the stems of the Butternut are no longer green so they won’t grow any more. They’ve done really well this year, I’m not sure what I did, but it worked. I’ll just have to try and repeat it again next year. I harvested 20 from about 5 or 6 plants which I was really impressed with. I have 2 little ones with the smallest weighing 3.9 oz and then 16 are what I’d call “normal” size, and then 2 rather large and oddly shaped ones. The largest of these weights a whopping 2lb 12.9 oz!! I’m rather impressed, but I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it looks a bit like something else. I’m not saying what, but you can make your own mind up.

Little and large. Now I don’t know about you, but I can’t see anything rude about the large one!

I then moved onto the French Beans. Again their leaves have practically lost their greenness (there’s that word again), so I harvested the last few and then cut off the plants leaving the roots in the soil. Make sure you do this because they have all sorts of goodness in the roots that can go back into the soil and help the crops to grow the following year. The French beans have done brilliantly this year and we’ve got loads in the freezer to keep us going for quite a while. Then it was time to harvest the variety of Squashes that I got from W Robinson and Sons. This little pack of various Squash are brilliant because you end up with a wonderful variety. A couple of the plants are still looking fairly spritely so I’ve left then in, and there are a couple of small Pumpkins that still have some growing to do. My other Pumpkins, which I’m still keeping secret until I harvest them, are growing very well, and the biggest one is looking good!! That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Another harvest from my mystery selection of Squash.

Now, because I’ve not been to the allotment for a while the chickens haven’t been having their greens, so before I went to the allotment today I promised them I would bring them a treat back. So as not wanting to disappoint them I picked some Kale for them. This they love and when I came home and gave it to them they got very excited and very happy. We don’t tend to eat Kale, but I grow it just for the chickens because they’re special!! I then went to have a look at how my Beetroot were getting on. Now it’s entirely up to you as to what size you want to let them get to. Personally I like them when they’re just a little bigger than a golf ball. Well when I say I like them, I don’t actually eat them, but Mark loves them so I grow them for him….Aren’t I a lovely wife? The answer to that question is “Yes”! I managed to get a fantastic amount so will wash and then boil those later and put them in the freezer until Mark wants some. The rest will grow quite happily and I’ll check them again in 3 to 4 weeks time. I pulled just 3 carrots up, but ran out of time, but will harvest more next time I’m on my plot.

Some wonderful Beetroot and 3 Carrots. All are the proper shape, I must have done something wrong!

Just before I left I went to check on my purple Cauliflowers. They’ve grown really well this year, and quite a few are ready, but I only harvested 1 today the others I’ll harvest next time. There’s only a certain amount you can carry home, and I’ve got lots today. The purple colouring is amazing, if you’ve not tried them, do give them a go. Whether they loose their colouring when you cook them I don’t know yet, but will let you know when I try it.

Yes it’s really that colour!! I think they look brilliant. You’d never find this in a shop!!

So that was just 2 hours on my allotment today, wish I could have stayed a bit longer, but the kids were coming home from school and they get confused when I’m not about. They love their mummy and miss me when I’m back late. And they’d not even think about getting themselves a snack or drink when they get home. So here it is in all it’s glory, my harvest for today.

This should keep us going for a while at least. Now where to store it?

Hope you all have a great weekend the weather is supposed to be good.