SEPTEMBER 2026

Everytg8ng catching up after the rain, including the weeds, but nothing like as bad as last year.

Occasional visits to hoe round.

August

First three weeks in August a complete write off. No rain, just relentless sunshine.  Visited and watered occasionally. Nothing growing.

August 18

Rain finally came, but too late for most - altgouh the weeds hadn't been growing either.

August 21

Visited with new electric hand shears and gave all herbs a good trimming.

More rain has been forecast, but not turned up yet.

August 31

The rain arrived, and revived survivors.

The leeks looking surprisingly healthy:

The cavolo nero recoverint from overcropping:

The courgettes coming along nicely:

The runner beans as prolific as usual:

Even the black tomatoes staying a comeback:

And next year's self sown marigold seedlings already showing:

July 2026

July 1

Everything nice and fresh after last night's rain.

Hoed throughout (except for the little bit right in the middle behind the climbing trellis).

Runner Beans at top of support:

Off for a few days at the coast tomorrow, but rain forecast, so we should be alright....

July 6

Rain didnt materialise, so watered everything thoroughly.

Second courgettes coming along:

July 9

Hot! Hot! Hot!

So hot it's turned the tomato(es) black!

Watered most areas

Took up speckled lettuce. Gone over the top.

Cavilo Nero nowhere near as good as last year. I think someone has harvested the growing top shoots on two of them:

July 15

Quick visit. Quite chilly this morning 

Watered.

Black tomatoes AND black peas:

Wall rebuilt:

nearly!

July 17

Quick visit  quick water 

July & first half August completely written off. Even the weeds not flourishing under five heatwaves and temperatures frequently over 30 °.

Did a bit of watering when possible, but the soil is being trampled into fine dust, and it's beginning to look a bit like the Sahara.

Bronze Fennel flourishing. Runner beans, sprouts, and courgettes surviving. Rhubarb wilting.

June 2026

OBJECTIVES FOR JUNE 

Weed, weed, weed

Support the broad beans if necessary

Turn the compost heaps

Keep on top of the green herbs

Water as necessary

June 2

Put the radish seeds in

June 4

Welcome additions from Chris:

Two tomato plants

Four more runner beans (added to support area)

Two more very healthy courgettes to replace the previous lost ones 

One cucumber

Peas getting ready:

Speckled lettuce ready

June 5

Quick visit to water in newcomers. All looking healthy 

Chard gone to seed.  Have taken it out soon before it has chance to broadcast

Globe Artichoke bearing fruit, plus blackfly.

Wiii spray with soapy water as last year.  Also broad beans.

Put some supports in for broad beans. A couple had taken on a distinct list following strong winds yesterday afternoon.

June 8

Radishes didn't take long....

Fennell looking elegant after shower

June 12

Hoed throughout between showers

Broad Beans starting to show:

Runner Beans starting to venture upwards'

Peas swelling:

Anyone know what this is?

Suspect it's a weed (poppy??) but there are two of them growing very neatly spaced at the front of the plot   ?????

Or is it perhaps Basil?????

June 15

Bit of weeding.

Sprayed Broad Beans and Globe Artichokes with soapy water. Blackfly on G Artichokes only, and ladybirds helping out with pest control

Some broad beans nearly ready:

June 20

Hoed throughout and tidied up for Open Gardens tomorrow.

Young family appreciating the redcurrants.

Lady took some Kale.

June 22

Watered as necessary. Everything could do with a drop of real rain....

Courgettes Mk 2 struggling 

Redcurrants looking good

Broad beans. Some ready.

June 24

Watered new stuff

Courgettes: and then there were two...

Runner beans almost to the top.

Couple of broad beans had fainted in the heat. These are ready to harvest now.

May 2026

OBJECTIVES FOR MAY

Plant out as stuff becomes available

Keep on top of the weeds

Water during dry spells

Turn and repair compost heaps

Trim flower heads on herbs (except chives)

May 4

All the new arrivals have perked up following Sunday's rain.

And a doggie seems to have left his calling card

May 5

Called in. Did a bit of hoeing 

May 6

Mary watering

May 7

Old lilac had died off.    Replaced with new one from allotment.

May 9

Nice and fresh today after the morning showers

more rain on the way this aft, methinks!

May 12

Hoed around

Currants and gooseberries coming along

May 18

New additions:

May 21

Chris brought down some sprouts, leeks, runner beans, rocket, russian kale plants and some radish seeds.

Planted out the sprouts:

The ground was quite wet when these were put in, but they may need a drop of water if the weather behaves according to the forecast.

I'm afraid the two courgettes are on their way out. Too wet for them I think 

May 22

Mary (very early morning session) has planted out the rest of the veggies, except for the runner beans, and Graeme has done the runner beans, with substantial supports.

Thank you both.

May 30

Back from holidays. Visited early morning and watered new stuff 

Hoed a bit

The two young rosemary bushes have disappeared.

Lots of rhubarb ready to harvest. Just twist and pull individual stalks.

Spring onions ( that's the small ones in the raised bed, not the large versions which should be left to groe ) are ready, plus chives - did you know that the lovely purple chive flower is also edible - good for decorating salads and has a subtle chive-y taste!

Also green herbs doing very well and could do with being cut and used. You might also find the odd alpine strawberry ready - small but delicious!