Harvest & New Lawnmower

 The summer has been HOT. Some crops have been amazing, and some have had an uphill battle. Every year is different of course. But here are some photos to give a quick glance at what is happening at the garden this past weekend.

click on photos to enlarge

Turnip, Carrot, Green Beans, Blueberries, Zucchini, and more were harvested.

 The carrots were grown under  a floating row cover (a white, polyester horticultural cloth called "Remay") to keep out carrot-fly (who otherwise wreck your carrots here). We planted them super-densely spaced, as part of 'The Coleman Project' where we imitate 1875 Paris Market Gardens, growning plants year round for food in a busy metropolis. What are the secrets? The Coleman Book on Winter Gardening explains all about it brilliantly. It's in the P.I. Library too!

 The Blueberries were grown in large pots, in a cage that was netted against birds. Some unknown children kind of wrecked the raspberries this year by bending the tall canes down to grab the berries. The canes got broken. So if you know any kids who came home with berryjuiced faces, please teach them how to pick gently, without breaking canes (or treading on the lettuce below)! Thanks!

Speaking of lettuce, to my tastebuds, it has all gone bitter (that's what it does when faced with too much sun and heat), however others are happily eating it, and don't think it tastes bitter. That's so surprising! We all have different tolerances for bitterness! Wild!!

Well done to Veronica on her direct seeding this year! All her crops have been great, but the chard and beets that just vigorously arose are very good looking this year!

Note to machine lovers, we've just purchased a new electronic lawnmower. Due to the expense of destroying machines, we've decided to have some learning sessions for new and old mowers.

Allotment members please take note; you will need/want to attend a training session on how to use our new grass cutting machines (please)!! We'll give notice on the ProIs4-email group when we're holding the next grass cutting training session. 

See below for AGM minutes and recipes for zucchini that you least expect! :>)