The strawberries look as if they are going to produce a very fair crop but we must get some more straw to protect the fruit. We had some left from last year but it ran out after mulching the first row.

 

The plants are two years old now and should produce their heaviest crop next year. After the third year the crop begins to decline so it's best to replace the plants. We'll be propagating new plants from runners this year and plant them on into a new bed. That way we can just dig up the three year old plants after they finish cropping next year and already have established plants in to the new bed so you never run out of Strawberries (Strawberry fields forever). This keeps Sue extremely happy. All I need to do now is to learn how to make clotted cream.

 

 

Planting this month:

 

Sowing direct

 

Borlotti Beans - variety Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco. This is a climbing variety which needs support so I’ve planted a double row using canes in the same way as for runner beans. The name translates as “Fire Tongue” and they can either be picked young and cooked fresh or dried for storage.

 

I’ve also planted a dwarf variety called Suprema, again in a double row but without support. I grew these last year and although they are not a heavy cropper they are very easy to grow, very beautiful with their cream and red mottled pods and extremely tasty.

 

Carrots - variety Sytan. This variety is from the RHS Award of merit collection. I’ve not grown it before but it’s supposed to be a well shaped, full flavoured carrot with some resistance to root fly. Just to test this out I’m going to be brave and not net them.

 

Beetroot - variety Burpees Golden Globe. This is a yellow beetroot and another new one to me. It will be interesting to see if the flavour is as good as my usual favourite variety, Wodan. I quite fancy the idea of golden coloured beetroot chutney so will be growing a second batch of these later in the summer.

 

Spring Onions - variety Toga. This is a red spring onion, quite mild in flavour so good in salads. These could have been planted out from March but I just didn’t get around to it. There’s still plenty of time however, to do a couple of later sowings in June and July for harvesting right through to November.

 

Salad Leaves - varieties Mizuna, Lambs Lettuce and Rocket. I’ll be planting these in small quantities throughout the summer to maintain a steady supply. A short row of each or a single row containing all three varieties planted about every three to four weeks will keep us supplied right up until Christmas given fair weather. I’m going to try to grow them right through the winter in the potting shed this year.

 

Herbs - Basil, Parsley, Coriander, Lemon Verbena. Most of these are going to be grown in large pots at home rather than at the allotment, basically because it's easier to pop outside and cut what you need when you need it rather than having to plan ahead too much. I've also got a number of different types of Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Tarragon (French - don't bother with the Russian stuff, it's tasteless) and Chives growing in a trough just outside the kitchen door.

 

I have a pretty big Lemon Verbena plant in a pot and intend to take some softwood cuttings to make new plants. If you've never seen it, try to find a plant, rub the leves between your fingers and breath in deeply. It has the most fantastic citrus smell just like sherbert lemons. It makes fantastic lemon flavoured ice cream, is good with fish,and has rapidly become one of my favourite herbs. You need to overwinter it inside as it's not completely hardy although with the mild winters we've had over recent years it might survive in a sheltered spot. I don't want to take chances however as it's not that easy to find in the garden centres where I live, hence the need to take cuttings this year.

 

I'll also be dividing my pot of Tashkent Mint for the same reason - despite being delicious it's not easy to get hold of. Our friends Margaret and John got us a plant last year when they were away on holiday and it's now just about big enough to divide. I wouldn't want to lose this one either!

 

Sue’s sweet peas are already planted around a newly erected Bamboo wigwam, soon to be followed by some Morning Glory. It will look indeed look glorious in a few weeks time.