I don’t know where the time goes to these days, every time I try to sit down and write, something happens to stop me. The summer has not arrived in full swing yet, but the crops are still growing well, they would be a lot better if the rain was a little less and the temperature was a little more consistent.

The beans seem to be loving the cooler and wet weather but the cucumber, squash, courgettes would prefer it to be a bit warmer! On the hotter days I have noticed that the brassicas are drooping somewhat, but they soon pick up and continue growing.

As you are aware we are experiencing the ideal conditions for blight, in potatoes and tomatoes, as yet I have not seen any sign of it on my plot. This time last year I had cut all the tops off the potatoes because of blight, so perhaps I will get a better crop this year.

I have still to plant out the last of this years leeks and to sow some later swede and turnip seeds together with radish and spring onions to keep a steady supply for the rest of the summer. I am still sowing lettuce at three week intervals to be able to crop into the Autumn, before going into the tunnels for the winter crops.

The main tasks to keep me busy are watering the tunnels and crops that are fruiting and weeding to keep the crops growing well.

JOBS FOR THE WEEK

1. Weed
2. Sow more swede, turnip, etc.
3. Pick

WORK DONE THIS WEEK

Sunday

1. weed
2. water
3. plant out pumpkin on manure heap

Monday

1. water
2. weed

Tuesday

1. water
2. weed

Wednesday

1. Water
2. weed
3. cultivate between crops

Thursday

1. Water

Friday

1. Prepare next bed for sowing
2. Water
3. Cut out first signs of blight on potatoes

Saturday

1. Water
2. Tidy climbing beans

CROPS PICKED THIS WEEK

1. Lettuce
2. Spring Onions
3. Carrots
4. Cabbage
5. Broccoli
6. Beetroot
7. Strawberries
8. Courgettes
9. Radish
10. Cucumber

We are having a nice mix of hot/warm weather together a good watering of rain, which together make everything grow. The most important thing to be aware of with these conditions is that they are ideal conditions for BLIGHT on potatoes and tomatoes, so be on the look out for the signs of blight . I have finished weeding the plot, but as with the forth railway bridge, it is now time to start again at the beginning again.

Everything on the plot is now growing well and just needs keeping up with. I still have some late brassicas to plant out and I will still be sowing salad crops for some time to come. The comfrey is ready for its next cut, I must empty the bin and refill it.

All the time more crops are starting to mature and need picking so life does not get any easier.

JOBS FOR THE WEEK

1. Erect next brassica frame
2. Finish digging bed 5 for frame
3. Weed

WORK DONE THIS WEEK

Sunday

1. Finish weeding brassica bed
2. Dig last strip on bed 7
3. Plant out flowers to edge beds
4. Finish caning asparagus
5. Put canes up for last rows of peas
6. Water

Monday

1. Water
2. String rows of peas
3. Sow more roots and salad crops

Tuesday

1. Plant aubergines in tunnel 1
2. Water

Wednesday

1. Put up fleece to protect peas from pigeons
2. Dig flower border
3. Plant chillies and peppers in tunnel 1
4. Water

Thursday

1. Plant out leeks
2. Water
3. Weed

Friday

1. Clear remains of broad beans from tunnel 2 and weed.
2. Water
3. Cut comfrey and fill bin

Saturday

1. Weed
2. Water
3. Sort out timber for brassica frame
4. Plant out second courgettes

CROPS PICKED THIS WEEK

1. Lettuce
2. Spring onions
3. Carrots
4. Potatoes
5. Beetroot
6. Spinach
7. Strawberries
8. French beans