25th August 2021, “The Haven” is working
With the groundworks finished (the terrace) we are now able to put in other plants that have been waiting in the wings. These have been mainly Marigolds… But in an interesting deviation from the norm, here we see the attractive green of lettuce amongst other things. Lettuce is back on the menu in a few weeks time, so it seems!
In the next picture is a longer range view of the terrace but in the foreground you can also see the blight (black stems) on the tomatoes while the beetroot and Swiss chard are growing profusely. The chard has been an exceptional crop (that we didn’t even plant) - it just popped up and started producing! It seems wherever there is a vacant bit of soil, then we have planted lettuce… The jury is out on whether we are just feeding the wildlife or not!
The beans have been prolific this year. On the 3rd time of asking we still sowed in plenty of time, and the weather being fairly wet, with sun, and not too hot, the beans have done what runner beans do best. With relatively few pests or diseases that bother them, they are a great staple for the winter, plus providing a very useful vegetable in relishes, pickles and the like.
We found out a bit late for this, but if you leave radishes in and they produce seed pods, these can be eaten before they turn brown. We haven’t managed to eat them thus far, but we have saved the seeds for sowing next year. Got to love a good radish.
The marigolds are beginning to provide a wonderful show this year. We’re hoping to get some seeds from these too, although we’re a bit unclear how and when to harvest. But I’m sure we’ll work it out soon enough.
Busy time of the year August, as everything is growing, so needs managing, dead-heading and harvesting / cooking too. We have so many green tomatoes and these need to be processed or the blight will just destroy what fruit there in. Next month, September, will be even busier I’m sure, and October, clearing things as the weather turns and Autumn digs in.
