We didn’t water the “lotty” yesterday and even though last night’s downpour meant that the outside crops did not need watering, the plants inside the cloche did, so I dropped Lynn off at work and headed down there first thing this morning.  I did the watering and then had a tidying and harvesting session.

I cut the haulms of the Vales Sovereigns potatoes and then couldn’t resist digging the first plant to see what we’d got.  The answer was 6lb of lovely looking white skinned, pink-eyed potatoes.  Also in the basket for bringing home were multiple courge(tte)s, sweet corn, a beetroot and the first of the winter squashes.

I finished up with a quick strim of the paths to leave everything looking very smart.  Just as I finished this, I met Margaret from Cookham Parish Council who was up taking some shots of the site, which is generally looking very good at this time of year.  She asked for a look at our plot and was very impressed with what we’ve done and asked if I’d mind posing in front of the plot (see below) as a newcomer to the allotment world.  A later e-mail invited me to have the shot submitted to the National Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Magazine along with a few words.

Margaret's shot

The plot is looking great and was well worth a few “progress” shots.

Looking south

Looking north

Inside the cloche

Sweet peas

One thing that we have done with the allotment that we have never really managed before was to get follow-on crops going, in this case peas and brassicas to follow early potatoes.  At home we have struggled with the space to do this effectively and until this year the time for the extra planning and work.  Pushing plots harder will have to be something that I address in the consultancy mode of Red Kite.

Late peas

Potatoes and follow-on crops

Back at home I cleaned up the harvest and set up a photo opportunity showing just why we love growing our own grub.

Why we do it

The plot is looking great and was well worth a few “progress” shots.