Clairesallotment's Blog

Yes, I know the kids went back to school on Tuesday, but it was blowing a gale here, and pouring with rain, so I bypassed the allotment. Today however, was much better, so I spent 2 hours singing to myself, whilst working through each bed systematically. I’ve managed about 3 beds, which I was very pleased with. I picked the last of the Spring onion, and loads of Borlotti Beans, which I’ll film tomorrow, and dug up more Potatoes. I’ve been using all the little baby ones up, but now I’ve got some man sized ones for dinner tonight. Also a lovely lady a few plots over from me gave me 3 Cucumbers. They’ve got loads, and wondered if I would like some. I’ve got more bits to film tomorrow, but I’m not telling you, otherwise it won’t be a surprise.

Just got home from the allotment Site Summer Social. Well done to Aimee and Jill for all the organisation, and also to everyone else who helped. We all had a great time, and the weather was kind until about 2.30 when the clouds gathered and the rain poured. We all got cosy and huddled under the gazebo. Very well done to all those who won prizes, I was pipped at the post by a Carrot for the Funny Vegetable Competition, but the winner was fantastic. We’ve taken a picture of Mr Kohl Rabi Head.

Popped to the allotment this morning to try and find a funny shaped vegetable. We’ve got out allotment social tomorrow, and I’m the defending champion of last years funny shaped veg. I found a couple of odd shaped ones, but nothing like last years Carrot. I’ll let you know how I get on. I also harvested 2 Cauliflowers, 1 Cabbage, the rest of the Beetroot, 1 Courgette, and some Potatoes. I had to run to the car twice because the heavens opened. I tried to stay out in it, but it was just too wet, and cold. The sun then came out and it was like summer again. We’re all hoping that tomorrow is dry for our site social tomorrow, we’ve got lots of gazebo’s, so we’ll all have to huddle under those if necessary.

Just before we went away I noticed that some of my Popcorn that I had in the shed was being eaten. And not by the children. It could only be one thing…. So I popped to Homebase and got some mouse killing stuff. I put it in the shed and went away. Then on Wednesday I tidied out the shed and found a little mouse lying on its side holding an empty Popcorn husk. I GOT HIM!!

Popped to the allotment this morning with the kids. They were very helpful, I think because we weren’t there for long. We picked some Baby Sweetcorn, which I think will be the last, also a few Tomatoes, the last of the Purple French Beans, 1 Runner Bean that we shared and the first few Borlotti Beans. It was all very wet up there. They also wanted to see how the Pumpkins were getting. I’m pleased to say that they’re still growing well, they’re not huge, but the largest one is a decent size. They’ve got another 2 months worth to grow, but they’ll slow down their growth at the end of September as it’ll start to cool down.

Got back from holiday yesterday evening. We went to Dorset for a weekend. It was lovely. We hunted for fossils, and found some, had an adventure trying to find a cider place (narrow lanes with only one space for a car, then you come face to face with a tractor). Went to Corfe Castle on the way home. Stopped off at Stonehenge on the way there. Walked along the beach, and the kids went in the sea. Got mugged by a seagull whilst eating my ice cream, little b*****d scratched my face and stole my ice cream. I was really enjoying it, honey comb and caramel. Had fish and chips out of a bag with a little wooden fork (we decided that fingers were easier). Our little break was very enjoyable, and exhausting. Just a warning to anyone who has or will ever have a boy: Where ever you go, what ever you do, then always get soaked! We stayed in a B&B, and every time we came home he was always wrapped in just a towel. Emily got her socks wet sometimes, but George goes in for a paddle and gets EVERYTHING wet. Oh well, he was having fun, and I’ve got a washing machine. Back to normal now, and it raining. Went to the greenhouse this morning, and picked a Cucumber, a few Chillies and a few Tomatoes. I must go to the allotment tomorrow, and see how it’s all getting on.

I’ve just come in from the greenhouse after rummaging around amongst the Tomatoes and Aubergines to harvest various Chillies. I felt like David Bellamy rummaging around in the under growth. I picked quite a few, some very hot, small red ones, some long, green ones and some light yellow/green ones. There are loads more growing, so I’ll pick some more in about a weeks time. I’ve just popped them in the freezer, whole and when I need them I’ll take what I need out, leave to defrost for about 10 minutes and then they’re easier to cut.

After having a power cut in the ringing chamber this morning whilst ringing, I pottled off to the allotment to see what kind of state it had got into since last Sunday. Of course the weeds and grass had grown a load more, that goes without saying, but so had the vegetable also. I harvested loads more Purple French Beans (they’ve done so well this year I’ll have to do them next years again), more Garlic, a load more Potatoes, Beetroot, Courgettes, 1 Carrot and Tomatoes. All together a very good haul. I dug up 1 on my Elephant Garlic, and it was huge. I’ll be making a film about it after the kids have gone back as there was something very interesting about them. Happy Picking.

Today’s weather was looking a little uncertain, according to the forecast, but we woke to sun and some cloud. So after ringing I pootled off to the allotment for a couple of hours. First job to do was to pick anything that was ready. So I managed to pick some Baby Sweetcorn, round Courgettes, loads of Purple Beans (these are doing fantastically and we had some for dinner), more Onions and Carrots, and of course some rouge Potatoes. Rouge Potatoes seem to pop up everywhere. You think you’ve cleared them all, but no, there’s always some left. Then after all that picking it was the obligatory weeding and strimming. Got loads done so a good morning. Just as I was getting in the car the heavens opened, so I managed to time it just right.

What a beautiful day we’ve had today, I spent this morning up the allotment, tackling weeds, and harvesting various bits and pieces. I brought home with me, Onions, Kohl Rabi, Carrots, Baby Sweetcorn, Garlic, various selection of Courgettes and Squashes, Broccoli, Purple Beans, Mangetout, Beetroot, 1 rouge Potato and 1 small Tomato. We had the Purple Beans, Carrots and an Onion with dinner. The Purple Beans loose most of their colour when cooked, but tasted lovely all the same. Then there was the obligatory weeding and strimming. I have taken a photo of my goodies, so if I’ve done it correctly, then you can see it.