The long, sunny spell, followed by rain has had an astonishing effect on all the outside veg. I think this is probably what it’s like to grow veg in the South of Scotland. I’ve got pickable size beetroot and broad beans in the net tunnel that were only planted in the middle of May. It’s a good thing that the school holidays start this weekend as I could do with some teenage pickers and weeders. The weeds went from not really visible to horribly out of control in the space of a few days.
No sign of the baby hedgehogs – they aren’t in the nest anymore (neither is the mum), I think we missed their first foray onto the croft.
I’m going to start jam making this week, I have access to a nice, modern kitchen registered with environmental health. My own kitchen has too many, dogs and boys in it. I’m going to start with gooseberries and rhubarb. Then move on to blackcurrant. I used to make jam every week in the cafe, hopefully I’ve still got the knack. I’ll be taking this to the Armadale Market in two weeks but will also put some in the box at the gate and then in the more elaborate shop once that’s finished.
This week’s Croft Shares have the following:
Small – French beans, courgettes, Spring onions, perpetual spinach and broccoli.
Medium – French beans, courgettes, Spring onions, a green cabbage, perpetual spinach, broad beans and beetroot.
Large – French beans, courgettes, Spring onions, salad leaves, a green cabbage, broccoli, perpetual spinach, purple mange tout, potatoes and onions.