Produce

Finally the potatoes were ready. Or at least so we thought because we had been waiting for flowers (apparently a sign), but they did not appear or we missed them.
In any case it was the undergardener’s birthday, a good reason to lift the potatoes from the ground and use them in the birthday lunch. And the three little wrinkly (forgotten to be eaten) potatoes that I put in the ground in the spring did not disappoint: besides feeding 10 for lunch we got dinner out of them several times too. (Note to self, potatoes are very prolific so don’t plant too many.)

Besides the potatoes, the runner beans, tomatoes, courgette and patty pans also start churning out edibles. Last weekend we turned this little bowl of goodness into home made tomato sauce and had a handful of blueberries for desert, yum yum!

After a tropical week with rain, shine and high temperatures, the patty pans are truly flourishing. They are taking over the best part of the garden and show no sign of slowing down. With this growing spurt also comes a steady produce of even more patty pans. Not long and we’ll have to start giving them away. (Note to self, also patty pan are very prolific so don’t plant too many.)

After the holidays

Following a meal consisting of our own broad beans and peas it is finally time for an update. The undergardener and I went on a nice long holiday and left our garden to its own devices (and to the generosity of the neighbours who watered it). Coming back to a garden after an absence of nearly four weeks in June is an interesting experience. The new variety of tomatoes – a cross between berries and tomatoes – have formed a jungle. I decided to tie them up hard, probably not good for the tomatoes, but they completely overshadowed the teeny-weeny leeks.

Also the cherry tomato which was not pinched out developed into a shrub. Tomatoes surprisingly do seem to like our poor soil, in contrast to the carrots. After last years micro crop and this years attack of the slugs I think I will give up on them.

A blitz through the garden and the situation is nearly under control. While having a good rummage, I found the first Pattie Pan hiding in the plant like a mini flying saucer landed in the vegetable bed.

First produce

My first pea harvest won’t feed an army, but my my how delicious they are.