Surprise in the garden

I didn't make it to the plot last weekend so there is lots of catching up to do. Last Saturday, I focused on the garden and tidied up one of the borders - planted out some herbs from pots and moving some perennials around. I also took some cuttings of said perennials as insurance.

Before leaving for the plot yesterday, I popped outside to water some pots. I went over to look at the leaves on the two vines that I planted out a few months ago. On Gardeners World on Friday night, there was a tip on there about removing leaves from a vine to allow more light to get to any grapes and encourage ripening. One of the vines has yet to fruit but previously I had spotted a couple of bunches of small green fruit. I was expecting to see them there but was pleasantly surprised to find they have turned a gorgeous shade of purple. I suppose I should try a couple before the birds do.



I finally headed over to the plot at lunchtime and there wasn't another soul to be seen. It was a lot warmer than I was expecting - a perfect day for gardening. So much to do - where to start? I decided to tidy up the raspberry canes at the entrance to the plot. They were a right mess and I'd been meaning to sort them out for months. I dug most of them up and lined them up along the path at the top.



After a bit more digging I called it a day. I returned today mainly to collect some chard for a curry this evening. It was slightly cooler today and a bit wetter. Rain stayed off for most of the day but the grass around the plot was sopping wet. As well as the chard, I also took a Greyhound cabbage and some beetroot. There were loads of slugs in one of the cabbages. I evicted them and throw them into Bed 9. The buckwheat has flowered and is provided food and entertainment for lots of little flying critters. I'll give it another week before digging it in.



The crops that are there are generally flourishing. The leeks look like they are growing at least. The Jerusalem artichokes are reaching for the moon by the looks of things. I think they are taller than they were last year.



Things do look messy but I can sort that out over the next couple of months. I am seriously considering digging up all the paths between the beds because it is so difficult to get them tidy. I think that might allow me to make the plot look a lot tidier next year.

As well as the short spells of gardening, I have also ordered some garlic and blight-resistant tomato seeds. I look forward to getting the garlic in this month or next. I'll strive to get a more impressive harvest of the garlic next year and will try out some hardneck types with their edible scapes.