Thursday 27 July 2017

Backdoor Man

One of the main topics of conversation over the last couple of weeks has been how the runner beans aren't setting. We figure the windy weather hasn't helped as there are less pollinators about, but there is another issue...
A lot of the bees and wasps take the nectar from the back of the flowers, rather than through the front door for pollinating - this animation is a bit more obvious (but the red flowers make for a more dramatic top photo).
Another obvious topic of conversation is the weather which over the last week has been decidedly changeable which is most unfortunate as I'm off for the week and we've only had one hot day.
But this kind of weather helps things grow and we've been picking potatoes, fennel, carrots, cabbage, beans, courgettes, courgettes, courgettes!
These yellow courgettes have been the most prolific. The stripey Goldmine ones are good too but unfortunately half the plant got snapped off - I think it got too big and couldn't support itself. Even that hasn't stopped it producing though!
These are our Tigerella tomatoes - rather pretty, but this is the only truss so far.
The purple dwarf beans also fell foul of the wind and two plants snapped off, but the others are looking pretty and healthy and are just beginning to set. We've secured them and also our sunflowers to supports as more wind and heavy rain is expected.
A lot of us have found our onions have succumbed to rot - even these that are sold as resistant. I've pulled some of the largest ones so they can dry off for the Horticultural Show on 19th August, but I'm not expecting any prizes. Perhaps this little cyclops could have been included as a funniest veg, but we've eaten him :-D
The Doors provide the title track - referring to the bees antics (I know it's spurious, it's hard work finding suitable song titles along with songs I like!)

4 comments:

  1. That potato is strange. Some advocate a fine water spray to help pollination in dry weather.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've now had our first meal with runner beans - they were worth the wait 😃

      Delete
  2. I've grown tigerellas in the past too, a very good looking and tasty tomatoes. And I like The Doors :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They do look great! Glad you like today's music choice

      Delete

If you visit, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you. Thank you for your interest.
Belinda