The battle with the elements recommenced after the previous week when we were given a taste of what summer should be like. This time our assailant was gale-force winds.
On Friday it was with some trepidation that we headed for the allotment. Our site is fairly exposed and the worst time for strong winds is when trees are in full leaf.
The first sorry sight to greet us was battered potato tops. Only a few days before, we had been commenting on how healthy the plants looked. We are hoping they will have made enough growth to produce a decent crop as it doesn’t look as though they will recover.
Some of the dahlias had received a battering too but fortunately, most could be propped up.
As expected, one of the cardoons was flattened. This happens every year but usually, the flowers have opened and the bees enjoy browsing before the plant is cut down.
The second cardoon always survives as it receives some protection from a neighbouring shed.
The netting had been blown from the top of the blueberries and I suspect birds had helped themselves to some ripe fruits but fortunately, there seems to be plenty of berries still to ripen
Earlier in the week, Martyn planted more climbing courgettes which will hopefully follow on from the ones planted earlier.
The disappointing thing is that, after the more usual July weather of the previous week, everything had started growing.
There are now lots of flowers inviting bees and butterflies to visit. However, as some other bloggers have written, there seem to be few bees and butterflies around.
The lavender bed should now be abuzz with activity.
The honeyed perfume of buddleia flowers should also be proving irresistible to butterflies and bees.
The cold weather and strong winds are not what flying insects require.
Despite the weather we harvested a few things.
Spring onions and cucumbers are growing in our garden greenhouse and harvested whenever we need them so they don’t always get a mention.
A video of digging the potatoes is posted here.
We cut our first cauliflowers and also the first courgettes.
There was good and bad news as far as broad beans were concerned. The good news was that they produced a crop but the bad news is that they were covered in blackfly. Until last year our broad beans never suffered from blackfly. This year some dahlias have also been colonised. Ladybirds are making a gallant effort to tackle the ones on the dahlias but I think the blackfly will outbreed the ladybirds appetites.
I wonder whether we will need to consider growing broad beans under enviromesh next year?
Away from the allotment, on Monday we were admiring the delphiniums at Temple Newsam.
Last week will have definitely tested out how well the flowers were staked. Hedges are growing at each side of the path behind the delphiniums which may give a little extra protection.
The winds were fierce when we visited Nostell and the swan family was sensibly sheltering in the reeds so I was unable to check on the progress of the cygnets.
We decided to stay clear of the wooded area and walked through the meadow. For the most part, we were sheltered behind the belt of trees. Ruby was worried by the noise of the wind so instead of running ahead she walked between us.
A video is posted here
The winter lake in the meadow has almost dried up. In its place is a swathe of daisies. Daisies always seems to colonise areas that have been flooded.
Ruby gets into some strange positions when she is relaxing after a busy day.
Finally, we used some of our vegetables in last week’s meals.
A calabrese, onions and garlic were used in a chicken and broccoli risotto.
Cabbage, onion, garlic and potatoes went into a version of Ethiopian cabbage. I forgot to take a photo.
Cauliflower and potatoes accompanied breaded salmon.
Finally, I used our onion, courgette, garlic and basil in a vegetable orzo dish. The recipes also used shredded carrot, lime juice and zest, parsley, Italian herbs, tinned tomatoes and vegetable stock. It was topped with grated cheese.
That’s all for this week so until next time stay safe and well. I wonder which season we will be treated to this week.
Once again I am joining Dave for Harvest Monday. on hos Our Happy Acres blog.
Wind especially when combined with rain is not a good combination Sue. I don’t know if it’s my imagination but our summers seem to be getting increasingly windier 🤔 You are picking some riches despite the elements. Those delphiniums are magnificent.
You asked on one of my posts whether Arley Hall is dog friendly. I’ve checked their website and dogs are welcome in the gardens and the café with the proviso that they are on leads 😀 Apparently there are water bowls and poo bins located around the estate.
We do usually get some strong winds in summer Anna as our cardoon never survives summer. I’ll add Arkey Hall to our possib;e venues list.
We did get some strong winds, back to rain again now though!
It’s a pain isn’t it Jo?
Oh dear! It really is one trial after another this year. Having said that, your harvests are still looking great!
I have such a better sense of your garden adventures after spending three weeks in England in May. First, look at those delphiniums! I grew some with my vegetables last year and they loved the rich soil. I saw cardoon growing when we visited and noted the similarity to artichokes. Is it solely ornamental or is there some use? The plants are huge. We noticed how many bumble bees there were on flowering plants when visiting. I had heard that because of their larger size they can go out earlier in the day and in windy conditions. We don’t have made in urban San Diego so I always marvel when I see them elsewhere. Quite a handsome cauliflower too.
Apparently the stalks of a cardoon are edible but I don’t think they would be very palatable. It’s amazing that they grow from such a tiny seed. All the growth is put on in just one season as they die down every year.
Wind, rain, blackfly, when do we expect the locusts?
You are harvesting some food, though, so it’s not all bleak.
There are a host of other things to try us too Debbie. It’s a miracle that we end up with anything.
Hopefully those potatoes will be fine. I always have blackfly on the broad beans here. It doesn’t seem to do much harm, although it’s not particularly pleasant to open the pods when they’re covered. I saw a ladybird this morning doing its best, but as you say, there are far more blackfly. That second cardoon is amazing. I have planted a couple of artichokes this year that I grew from seed. I always had them at the allotment and they were fantastic. I had lots to eat and then left some for the bees as well as they love them. The blackbirds are working their way through pounds of unripe blueberries here. I don’t have the heart to stop them, as lots of them are fledglings learning to forage. I haven’t had a single berry though! They are also enjoying the mulberry. And the strawberries.
Too bad about the wind, it can sure do a number on things. Looks like you are getting a lot of goodies now.
IF it’s not the wind it would be something else, Dave
Oh wow, I knew it was windy the other day, but didn’t realise it was that windy. Hopefully your crops will recover a little.
You’ve had a few nice harvests too 🙂
It really was wild, Steve