August has come and gone in a flurry of picking and weeding. One of the biggest challenges this month has been keeping everything hydrated. With a couple of short holidays away, the allotment was left to the mercy of the weather. Thankfully, I have some wonderful friends who generously stepped in to help with watering. Despite the sporadic rain throughout August, the soil seemed to drink up water as quickly as it was given. I’ve had a few vegetables bolt in the dry, and others die back entirely. I’m watching carefully this year to get a better understanding of which are the ‘thirsty’ vegetables so I can better prepare for next year.
One vegetable that seems to have thrived despite being left alone for a couple of weeks are the beans. They’ve been producing prolifically. We’ve had them boiled, steamed and stir-fried. I’ve been handing them out by the bagful to anyone who’ll take them, and still, there seems to be no end in sight. It’s a good problem to have, really—finding new ways to enjoy them is part of the fun, and I’m learning that they freeze quite well. If anyone has any favourite recipes for runner beans, I’m all ears!
While the beans have been abundant, other crops haven't been so lucky. Despite my efforts to protect the sweetcorn, those clever foxes have managed to breach my defenses. I had been so hopeful after setting up a barrier of netting and canes, but after our holiday away, I came back down to the allotment to find many of the stalks toppled and the ears half-chewed. It’s disappointing, especially after all the care put into nurturing them. It seems that next year might call for more robust fencing. The corn that has survived has been delicious - especially when cooked on the BBQ.
We’ve had a few successes with our slightly more unusual fruit and vegetables. The chillies have been fantastic - if only the girls liked spicy food! We’ve managed a handful of aubergines, and the cape gooseberries are a favourite of the girls.
With the summer vegetables now reaching their peak, I’ve been planning ahead for what comes next. As crops like the peas and early potatoes came to an end, gaps started to appear in the beds. I’ve been sowing quick-growing varieties to fill these spaces—radishes, rainbow chard and spinach - which should help bridge the gap between summer and autumn. I’m trying to get my head around the rotation of crops to keep us with fresh vegetables for as much of the year as possible. There’s a certain satisfaction in watching one flourish while another fades, always looking forward to the next wave of growth.
The squash section has certainly taken off on the plot. The girls have enjoyed clambering through hunting for pattypans and courgettes. With the glut of squashes, a firm favourite has been to stuff them. The girls love scooping out the soft flesh and filling them with a mixture of sausage, onions, and herbs. It was a lovely way to use some of the harvest and spend time together in the kitchen. As the weather turns, I think I’ll put my mind to exploring some interesting soup recipes too.
The later crops are starting to ripen too. There are a couple of pumpkins that are showing promise for October and I’m eager to see if the sweet potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes have been successful. As autumn approaches, I’m looking forward to more harvests, more learning, and perhaps a bit more rain. There’s a sense of change in the air—a reminder that the growing season is slowly winding down. But for now, I’m savouring the last of the summer days.
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