I’m not surprised but unfortunately blight has struck at the allotments so during the week I cut all the potato foliage, which was mostly dying back, down to ground level and binned it. Yesterday I dug up the remainder of the first early potatoes, and will lift the other varieties over the next couple of weeks.
I’ve been picking leaves off the tomatoes in the vague hope that they’ll be okay as there is fruit on them. However I’m resigned to the fact that they almost certainly won’t ripen, which is a shame as this is the first time that I’ve managed to grow some from seed.
I’ve picked the rest of the broad beans and composted the foliage. They’ve done okay , although not as good as last year. Last week I sowed yet another lot of runner beans, this time White Lady, and they’re already starting to show. If they grow, don’t get eaten and flower then I may just see some pods in mid October!
Yesterday I spotted what I presume is a day moth along with several brown butterflies, one of which was definitely a Speckled Wood.
The others were Gatekeepers, with this one obligingly settling on a Jerusalem artichoke leaf in the sunshine.
There were also lots of bees around, especially on the flowering teasel heads.
It was good to see several green woodpeckers flying round by, and into, the willow tree at the site entrance. I then watched one pecking for food along the roadway verge just the other side of the fence.
Have a good week.
Oh Flighty, I am so sorry that you got blight. Or rather your potatoes & tomatoes. Its an awful thing.
Joanne thanks. At least the potatoes will be okay, but sadly not the tomatoes. It sure is. xx
Oh that’s a shame – I have it on an outdoor tomato the Black Russian – I have chopped off the infected parts – will have to wait and see if it spreads. Still not seen many butterflies yet except for one or two cabbage whites
Elaine it is, and fingers crossed for yours! Sadly I don’t think that we’ll see many butterflies this year. xx
Blight rife on our site as well. Lovely wildlife pictures.
Victoria it’s early this year, but in view of the weather I’m not surprised. Thanks. xx
It is very disappointing when things don’t grow, especially when it’s for reasons beyond your control.
Jenny it is, especially with some vegetables such as tomatoes. xx
If it wasn’t the end of July, Mr F, your post would ring out for early summer growth. That we have not had the steady growing weather or the warmth, in many parts, your plot is responding well, even if a bit late.
Do I take it, that removing blighted leaves, still leaves room for the fruits to grow and survive? Regarding tomatoes, you could ripen some on your windowsills, and consider making green tomato chutney.
xx
Menhir if the next few months stays good then it will make a noticeable difference.
That’s done more in hope than anything else as once it takes hold it spreads very quickly. There’s not not enough to do that that I’ll probably give them to someone who does that. xx
Blight! So sad. Esp about those tomatoes!
Nikki afraid so, and annoying as well! xx
Really sorry to hear about the dreaded blight. It’s no real surprise it has reared it’s ugly head after this summer’s weather. Haven’t grown tomatoes for 5 years now. Seems impossible here in the damp west. Our last crop was when we lived in Berkshire and had a cracking summer. Had 16kg from 6 ‘totem’ bush tomatoes.
It’s good to see the insects out and about again. I’ve noticed quite a lot of butterflies, particularly cabbage whites. Fortunately, my brassicas are tucked up under enviromesh.
Welly thanks. We nearly always get it here but not this early so at least we get some tomatoes before it strikes. Not surprisingly there are plenty of people who simply don’t bother with outdoor tomatoes.
It sure it but even whites have been few and far between here this year. xx
Bad news about the blight so frustrating after all the difficult conditions we have had this year. I’m really missing the butterflies this year.
Annie we could do without blight but with butterflies! xx
Hi Flighty,
Blight – grrrr
It’s really bad this year. If you’re quick enough, you can usually get your tomatoes to ripen on the windowsill. Worth a try!
VP sorry I missed this comment! Yes bad, and early unfortunately. I shall have a look at them when I’m next there and decide what to do. Always! xx