I think that the weather gods must have read my previous post and taken pity on us. Last week we actually had some glimpses of summer.
The weather forecast sounded promising, so I decided to lift the onions and shallots hoping that they could have a few days in the sunshine drying off.
I was pleased to find that only about four onions were spoiled but that may change when I start to use them. I’ll be on the lookout for any allium leaf miner pupae.
The red onions and some shallots were grown from seed and the rest of the onions from sets. We grow red onions from seed as the sets have never been successful for us. This year we tried growing shallots from seed for the first time. We were surprised to find that the shallots grew into just one very large bulb rather than producing a cluster of bulbs as we are used to. The photo above on the left is typical of the shallots produced. The variety was Zebrun. Does anyone know whether producing just one large bulb is usual in shallots grown from seed or is it a trait of the variety?
In my previous post, I mentioned some of our choice weeds. When I lifted the onions I came across another couple. One was a verbena bonariensis. This plant seems to seed everywhere. We have some growing in between the pavers on our drive at home. I’ll transplant this at a later stage.
In another bed we found a strawberry plant. I think it’s an alpine strawberry. I’m not sure where that has come from. We have grown them in the past but in a different part of the plot. It will also be transplanted.
Of course, despite weather forecasts promising a dry summery period, the day after I had lifted the onions out to dry, we had some heavy rain showers and the forecasts changed!
The climbing beans are coming thick and fast so we are now distributing bags of beans to neighbours as well as courgettes.
I don’t think Ruby knows what to make of the gladioli as she hasn’t come across them before.
We are picking ripe tomatoes – some diminutive Sungold and one or two very large Buffalo Sun. We are also picking Crimson Crush and Shirley.
Martyn has been lifting more potatoes with varying results. Last week’s varieties were Nadine, Charlotte, Sarpo Una, Osprey and Elfe. We find it best to grow a wide variety of potatoes in the hope that at least some will produce a crop whatever conditions the weather throws at us. Ironically, our best results so far are from Elfe and Osprey. The irony is that both varieties were grown from potatoes saved from last year’s crop. We couldn’t source seed potatoes for these varieties and so decided to risk planting our homegrown potatoes. All were disease free last year so we reckoned they should be OK. Not only have they cropped the best, but they also were the healthiest looking as they were growing.
We’ve also been picking Bramley apples from the garden …
… and Pepinex cucumbers from the garden greenhouse.
I still haven’t managed to capture a photo of a butterfly browsing the buddleias but the bees are enjoying the flowers.
We paid our regular visit to Nostell. Some of the cygnets are becoming adventurous and heading onto the lake without the parent birds. They all have a favourite spot where they have group preening sessions.
They seem to have started moulting and the cygnets are showing signs of gradually turning white. Their wings are also developing.
It was a hot day, when we visited Nostell, and some cattle were making the most of the cool water. Ruby wasn’t too pleased as it was too warm for her usual ball games and we kept to the shade in the wooded area.
A flock of Canada geese was sharing the lakeside with the cattle.
Onto the last week’s meals.
I made a chicken casserole that used some of our potatoes, onion, garlic, sage, basil, parsley, peas and frozen parsnip from last year’s crop. It was served with runner beans.
I made a vegetable bake into which went, courgettes, French beans, onion, peas and frozen broad beans.
Finally, I made a rosti topped turkey dish which used our potatoes, onion and green beans. I used fresh mushrooms and stock rather than mushroom soup. I also added a slurp of white wine and some mixed herbs.
The only other things of note last week were everyone having a hair cut and Martyn and I clocked up yet another wedding anniversary to add to our collection.
As always until next time stay safe and well. Enjoy whatever summer you can.
I am linking to Harvest Monday over on Dave’s Our Happy Acres blog
Yes shallots from seed invariably produce one bulb in the first year. Sadly my Solent White garlic has also produced one unsegmented bulb per clove too! (Due to late planting and lack of cold temperature.)
So if I replant them, Mal will they produce a cluster. Although I’m not sure that I will have any left to plant.
Yes!
A lovely photo of Ruby eyeing up the glads. Whatever the weather throws at you you are certainly picking some fine produce. A belated Happy Anniversary to both of you!
Thank you, Anna
It looks like you’re getting a good mix of veggies now, and you are ahead of me on the beans. Mine are blooming, but no pods yet. I got them out a bit late this year.
Our beans didn’t do very well last year Dave but this year they are making up for it. Ithink that they have enjoyed all the rain.
Verbena bonariensis is a favorite and I let it seed about in my garden. It attracts monarch butterflies more than any other plant in my garden. The strawberry plant looks like my alpine strawberry plants. Enjoy! They’re a favorite.
We have grown alpine strawberry in the past Sue. Maybe it’s a hint for us to grow them agaib.
I had visitors today who said the exact same thing about verbena bonariensis. I bought two plants over fifteen years ago and now it’s {joyously} everywhere.
As for summer, it’s yet to show up here.
It is a lovely plant, Debbie