Flighty's plot

I have to say that I really like tomatoes , and I have them halved for grilling, quartered with salads and sliced in my cheese sandwiches. Sadly there’s little doubt that the ones in supermarkets are sold on the basis of uniformity of colour and size not for taste!

I think that it’s the one vegetable that most gardeners want to grow, and indeed do or at least try to.  Here in the UK the biggest drawback is that outdoors they are highly susceptible to blight in wet weather, which can devastate plants if it takes hold.

As I previously mentioned I planted four tomatoes which I then completely ignored. This week I was pleased to be be able to pick some of themThe three larger ones are from the bush plants Joe gave me whilst the smaller round ones Gardener’s Delights. I’ve eaten one of each and in my, completely unbiased, opinion they were just how tomatoes should taste!

There are more to come as I left some still green fruit on the plants to hopefully redden before I have to pick them.

Tomatoes are the subject of much comment on the Allotments 4 All forum as you can read in the  threads  TOMATO PROGRESS 2009,  Tomato Taste Test and Any one NOT suffered from tomato blight?

I’m definitely going to grow tomatoes next year but as yet I’m still undecided on which two varieties, one each bush and cordon types, I’m going to try. However based on what I’ve read and the advice that I’ve been given I’ll probably try The  Amateur and Gardener’s Delight.

Happy gardening!

Much as I like softer colours and pastel shades it’s good to have some bright coloured flowers as they really do make such a difference on dull days providing some plot sunshine.

I really like showy pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis) such as this orange oneand will be growing them again next year.

Plot neighbour George, who much prefers growing flowers, gave me some  crocosmia last year. Both clumps have established themselves and the brilliant red flowersreally stand out against the sword-like leaves.

I sowed plenty of nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) and this yellow onehas been flowering profusely for weeks now.

Overlooking all these are the various wonderful sunflowers that are on the plot.  My new header is part of this photothat I took last Wednesday.

Happy gardening!

I’m sure that when I looked last Wednesday that there were no runner beans ready for picking however when I had another look yesterday I found that now there were!

I picked a dozen,some of which I had with my dinner today, and they were delicious!

No doubt that by next week I’ll be picking lots and be giving some to Beverley in the hardware store and Cally and Val at the bookshop.

I only sowed the seeds during the first week of June and the allotmenteer’s bible The Vegetable & Herb Expert by Dr. D.G. Hessayon says that the approximate time to picking is 12/14 weeks!

The sweetcorn are now about 6 feet tall and most have male tassels visibleat the top of the main stems.

The female silks, at the top of the cobs,have appeared on some plants but it is early days as I sowed them at the same time as the runner beans and the approximate time to picking these is 14 weeks.

My attempt to grow some cucumbers outside never got started as where I was going to grow them kept being disturbed by Fox Digger! However thanks to the generosity of Joe, who gave me the small one,  and John I’m sure that I’ll be enjoying these with my cheese sandwiches and salads during the next week or two.

Happy gardening!

I’ve  mentioned before that hydrangeas are one of my favourite plants and that I’ve long wanted one for the plot.

This morning Joe’s brother-in-law George asked me if I still wanted one and if so would I like to buy one of the plants that he’s just bought. I think that my smile sufficed as an answer.

For a temporary home I’ve put Flighty’s hydrangea in the large  green planter that sits next to the pallet patio.