The mint was harvested for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party today.
(to enlarge, click on picture, and choose Fullscreen Slideshow F11)
News: Garlic, Potatos, Onions and Leeks are harvested. Basil has been pinched back. Tomatos are ripening slowly, Raspberries abound and yet Beets are bashful.
Apples totally hopeful. Pumpkins are now stopping us from retrieving compost!
Poppies and Calendula going to seed.
Kale seeds in high demand; if you see 'em, get 'em.
Some thrips and blighty action; eek. (see below)
Carrots and Bush Beans burgeoning.
Tall beans are insanely over your head.
Come down and see the fabulous things that are growing in mysterious ways!
Also: Photos should say July 29th....oops.
Best, Jen
P.S.
One of the allotment beds has a tomato leaf discolouration problem.
After looking at all the horri-blech pictures of tomato diseases, I think it might not be blight (as we feared) but instead,
Septoria Leaf Spot which is less destructive.
Here's all the research and photos below:
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Septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici)
http://gardening.about.com/od/problemspest1/ss/Identifying-And-Controlling-Septoria-Leaf-Spot-Of-Tomato.htm
This disease can destroy most of a plant’s foliage resulting in sunscald,failure of fruit to mature properly, and low yields. Once infections begin, they can spread rapidly from lower to upper tomato canopy.
Symptoms consist of 1/16th inch (small) circular tan to grey lesions with a dark brown margin that appear on lower leaves first, after the first fruit set. If conditions are favorable, lesions can enlarge rapidly, form pycnidia (fruiting bodies that look like black specks) and turn infected leaves yellow then brown. With a 10X hand lens, these black specks can be seen in the center of the lesions. These fruiting bodies, plus the generally smaller size of the lesions, and the absence of target-like circular bands within the lesion distinguish this disease from early blight. The fruiting bodies, smaller lesion size, and associated yellowing of heavily infected foliage help to distinguish this disease from late blight.
Fruit infection is rare, but lesions occur on foliage, stems, petioles, and the calyx. The pathogen overwinters on infected tomato debris or infected solanaceous weed hosts, and can also survive on stakes and other equipment. Seed infection is possible, but rare. Once introduced, Septoria is spread by splashing water, insects, workers, and equipment.
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Compare our photo of tomato leaf problem.
Click on the jpeg to enlarge.
Our DIGS leaf is (below) on right with standard Septoria Leaf Spot photo on left:
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How does Septoria Leaf Spot differ from Bacterial Spot?
Septoria leaf spot does not affect the actual tomato fruit. Fruit remains untouched.
With Bacterial Spot, fruit also has tiny dark specks.
How does this differ from Early or Late Tomato Blight?
Blight has brown spots on leaves about the size of a dime or nickel, and also affects stems and fruit. Spots have rings around them like a bulls-eye target, and whole plant collapses.
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See all common tomato diseases with photos: click here.
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