Plant Swap Delights

Back in June we went to Gardeners World Live where we participated in the world famous 'Plant Swap' and I must say I think we did pretty well in our choices. The Marrow plant was one of the gems and you can see from the post below how good that one is. We also got a huckleberry plant (similar to a blueberry) which has got lots of healthy berries on it waiting to ripen and the butternut squash is really taking off.

It has got at least one squash growing on it, but as I have just extended the bed it is in to give it some more room to grow I am sure that there will be more squash on the way....what have I let myself in for!?!?!?

Inspired by Squash

As tasty as they are, I am running out of interesting things to do with Squash, so please feel free to post some suggestions (or even recipes) to provide some inspiration for new culinary delights as they are giving no signs of stopping any time soon!

Some of them have grown so big that I think a stuffed squash party may be in order!!

Another Growth Spurt

As many of you may have noticed, last week saw the arrival of some much needed rain. Whilst relaxing at home feeling happy that the plants were getting watered without my asistance, I began to worry that the rain may also be assisting the weeds and that by the time I returned to the plot I may be faced with a bit of a jungle.

Although the weeds have undoubtedly grown, their growth is nothing in comparison to that of the vegetables which have gone absolutely BONKERS! We have gone from no sign of sweetcorn to plants covered in tufts containing lots of tasty mini sweetcorn ready for picking, mini marrow to monster marrow (see photos taken on 20/07 and 04/08 respectively), a selection of carrots ready for picking, peas ready to be taken from thier pods and...as ever....more squashes than you can shake a stick at!











The plot is generally looking very healthy and we are moving one step closer to being fully-fledged allotmenteers as I have just installed our very own compost bin (many thanks to Steve for the kind donation).

I also feel I should say a big thanks to Mr. Robinson (Nicky & Lizzie's Dad), who in my absence dug up the roots of a previously attacked gooseberry bush and also removed another one of its neighbours. This has made a big impact on the front of the plot and has spurred me on to find something pretty to plug the gap. Expect a photo when I have come up with a suitable plan!

Not Pomatoes but REAL Tomatoes!

Yep, the little lovelies have started to form fruit and things are looking promising.
I am not totally sure what variety they are as I think these are the plants that were donated by the kind and generous Miss Nicky (Plot 8), but my amateur eye tells me that we have at least one beefsteak variety-Yum yum!

We also have some more 'interesting' varieties at the other end of the bed such as Mr. Stripey, Green Zebra, Yellow Plum and Black Brandywine, but these need a little growing time to catch up with the others.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No! It’s a giant Zephyr Squash!



The squash plants really are going hell for leather at the moment and I couldn’t help but snap a picture of one of the beasts last night. Unfortunately the only thing I could think of at the time to give a sense of scale was my big dirty foot, but at least you get an idea of the size (my feet are a size 8 BTW-no clown feet jokes please!).
I think we might leave this one on the plant as an experiment just to see how big it gets- it is nearly a meal in itself, certainly not living up to the zephyr definition of being “something that is airy, insubstantial, or passing”!