Awash with Squash

Verdant

A quick Saturday jaunt down to the plot revealed that everything is continuing to do really well in the sunshine-and-showers we've been having. What with attending various weddings and reunions in far-flung corners of the country we hadn't been to the plot for a few days, so it was grand to see everything trucking on autopilot.

The polytunnel has turned into a bit of a mad tomato-and-cucumber jungle now, but I reckon that at this stage I've given up trying to do anything with these plants other than keep them watered and fed. We've had a good few cucumbers now, which have a really phenomenal, though difficult to pin down, flavour compared to shop bought, and it looks like we're going to end up with a modest crop of toms from our plants, as somw have started to ripen.

This is what excitement looks like.

 We've learnt by experience pretty much exactly how not to grow tomatoes this season - we watered too little, then too much, we transplanted too late, we didn't allow circulation, we didn't tie them up - so next time round we'll be able to have a better stab at it. I'm wondering if the polytunnel, with its limited airflow, is really the best place for tomatoes. Further thought needed there.

Kale under nets, courgettes and weeds.

All our courgette, squash and kale is doing amazingly, really making the best of the conditions. We've eaten a few meals with the kale - we're growing Seaweed Kale - and the taste is incredible, like you're eating a plateful of pure good health. Got to be one of the contenders for most underused veg in this country. Alongside a harvest of broad beans, the squash have been one of the first things we've just had way to much of for ourselves. I know this probably happens to everyone with an allotment at this time of year, but for us, in our second year on the plot, and bearing in mind what a wash-out last summer was, this is still quite a novel experience. At least we grew a variety of colours and shapes of squash this year and haven't just ended up with a tonne of standard green chaps.

Donated veg

After another couple of days away from the plot, we're planning to spend the last few days of our hols really kicking the place into shape. And, no doubt, scouring the internet for new and innovative recipes for squash and broad beans.