End of the monsoon?

The rainy season seems to be over for the time being, but the allotment is in much better shape after a couple of weeks of regular rainfall.

"Feltham First" peas are growing very quickly, as are the broad beans next to them.

Several broad beans failed to germinate, so there is a second sowing to fill in the gaps, just breaking through the surface.
French beans have also been a little disappointing, although some have come up, so another row of "Tendercrop" went in today. The first sowing of "Jaguar" peas have started sprouting, sowed another row this afternoon.

Carrot and leek seedlings, transplanted from indoors a few weeks ago, are doing really well. Apparently carrots don't take kindly to being transplanted - fortunately no one told me or the carrot seedlings!

Second sowing of carrot and leek seeds are now sprouting, as are the purple sprouting broccoli and brussels sprouts in the seed bed next to them.

Potato plants are getting really big now:

Rain at last!

Mum and Dad gave me a whole bag full of plants at the weekend. While I was planting them yesterday afternoon the heavens opened. What a result, no need to water them in now!

The shed guttering appears to be working successfully - the water butt is about 1/3 full. Another good thing is that the shed appears to be waterproof as I sheltered inside it during the worst of the storm.

More Digging

I'm getting fed up of digging, but the end is in site. Five out of six vegetable beds done, and the sixth partly complete. Still going to be an area of grass left which might be used for flowers if I get around to clearing it this year!

Fruit trees and bushes are mostly looking healthy. Apple, blackcurrant, and strawberry plants are in flower, and there are small gooseberries on the two bushes already.


Started on construction of strawberry and brassica cages to keep out birds, and Cabbage White butterflies respectively. Need some more netting to finish the job.