2 Aug 2018

30 degrees in the shade (July in the garden)

So... July; how was it for you?  Here, like most of the UK, it was hot and dry. For most of the month I despaired as seeds failed to germinate, pea and bean crops failed, and garden pests abounded.  I considered the very real possibility of making the veg patch into a perennial drought garden next year. It would be pretty and not much work. I still haven't booted that thought out but the month ended on a happier note.  I now have a garden tap. Not exactly nearby but only two hosepipes away round the back of the flats that overlook the garden. After a heatwave summer, it was an exhilarating moment to turn that tap on and soak the garden.







The tap was connected on Thursday. On Friday a small dark thunderstorm heralded 24 hours of on/off drippy weather - enough to thoroughly wet parched soil and perk up plants.  And to soak the onions that I'd lifted the day before and left out to dry in the hot sun. Yes, I know. *rolls eyes* I'd got a bit too complacent with the endless days of clear blue skies. They're still out there (and well washed) but should be okay as it seems the rain was but a blip in an otherwise balmy summer.


I'm amazed that anything has survived the lack of water in the garden but it seems my 'two sisters' experiment has paid off.  I direct sowed sweetcorn on 11th May, mulched the bed with Dalefoot compost (peat free, nutrient rich and water retentive thanks to wool content), and waited for the seeds to germinate.  Once the plants were about six inches tall, I plonked a Baby Boo squash plant inbetween the corn so that as it grew, the leaves protected the soil around the corn from heat and weeds.  It worked. Woohoo.  Squash are thirsty plants so I watered when I could but for most of July (pre-tap) the water butts were dry.  The plants look healthy enough though - and last weekend's windy weather was perfect for shaking corn pollen onto the silks beneath - plus the squash plant is huge and has the sweetest little baby fruits just setting. Probably time to pinch out the growing tips so the fruit gets bigger.

Baby Boo - a pumpkin made for two (when it's grown!)


I've also dabbled with 'square foot' gardening this year.  I had asparagus spears from only three crowns this year  (no complaints there, I had a plateful of delicious purple spears every week) but it occurred to me that the rest of the bed could be put to good use next to the asparagus ferns.  Have I mentioned my tomatoes?  I bought three plants as a back up plan to home grown. I needn't have bothered; I had 100% germination from seeds.  So with my tiny balcony crammed with plants, each of the last four tomato plants were tucked in to one of the nine squares in my asparagus bed, with a space at the front for a chilli plant.  The bed was heavily mulched before planting, both to feed the asparagus, improve the soil and protect the tomatoes - and they've all thrived. Apart from the chilli; he's looking a bit small. Possibly shaded by the redcurrant standard next door.  I'll move him and sow some lettuce there instead.



In other news, July harvests were not huge but it's all about tiny tastes, right? I've had blueberries, redcurrants and sweet red gooseberries; kale, komatsuna and sorrel have provided green leaves.  I even had a big dish of sugar snap peas (as well as snacks) before the heat did for the plants.  All gone now, sadly, until next year - although I might sow a few more peas. Worth a shot, I reckon.

Achocha has fruit like softly spined pepper/cucumber cross. 

What is it with achocha and orache?  They seem to have seeded themselves all over the garden; I've weeded out numerous plants but keep discovering more.  I've let one achocha grow (and a few orache) but think it needs more regular watering.  No problem now I've got my tap!




The tiny balcony - with daily watering plus #feedonfriday - has kept me in daily tomatoes and salad leaves for the past few weeks.  My favourites have been the Bush Cherry tomatoes, grown in a hanging basket; so prolific, bursting with flavour and, best of all, right outside my door! Yum!



And the autumn raspberries are just starting to ripen.  
What does that say about summer?





More on achocha - growing and preserving:
I've been eating Fat Babies
The Downfall of Achocha
How to Preserve an Abundance of Achocha

11 comments:

  1. I too have been shaking the sweet corn - it’s the tallest it has grown this year.

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    1. Same here, Sue - I'm just a bit concerned that the cobs might not be as juicy as hoped with the lack of watering!

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  2. Looks like your garden is progressing well, despite the heat and dryness. And there is still plenty of time left in the season, so the ready access to water will undoubtedly make a big difference. Isn't it wonderful having easy access to water? What a difference it made when we installed stand-alone spigots in each veg area - one of those "should have done it long ago" moments.

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    1. Having water is rather marvellous, Margaret - it's making me feel like starting over and seeing what might grow before the end of the year! (Providing we don't have another bitter winter, like the last one!)

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  3. I wish I'd tried sweet corn. I assumed Yorkshire would be too cold and wet. Whether or not that was a right assumption overall, it certainly wasn't for this summer!

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    1. Hi Lucy, I always assume summers will be cold and wet, even in the south here! Having said that, I remember lovely summers when I lived near Tadcaster in my teens. Because the weather can be uncertain, I look out for quick growing early corn like Swift or Earlibird - they're both F1 so you can't save seed - but next year I'm going to try Double Standard from the Real Seed Co, a non-hybrid corn with good results in colder parts of the UK. Hope this helps! x

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  4. Good post and pictures. It was, and still is, way too hot for me to do any plotting except watering. Having a tap now must be a godsend for you, especially in this weather. xx

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    1. Hi Flighty, thanks, it's lovely to be able to show photos of things Actually Growing! It has been too hot for me in the midday as well so I'm watering in the evening shade, and yes, a lovely task now that I have a nearby tap! xx

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  5. Those cherry tomatoes look amazing, you have just made me realise that the fruit and vegetable crop is so much smaller this year! It must be wonderful to now have a tap, especially with so little rain. Sarah x

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    1. Hi Sarah, The cherry/bush tomatoes have been wonderful, so much so that I'll grow only those on my balcony next year. The large plants have become a bit of a nuisance space wise! There's definitely less veg this year - a lot of my seeds didn't even germinate as it was just too hot. (Amazing to be able to say that in England!) Even so, tiny tastes are still much appreciated. xx

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  6. Great hearing about your harvests, especially given this drought and the fact you haven't had access to water. Yay!!! You have a garden tap, what a relief that must be, and isn't it typical that the first time you use it, it rains???? Lovely to hear how your companion planting came out as you expected it too.xxx

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