Gardening Blog
Allotment Diary
June 4, 2008: a glorious time for the garden
Terry Walton welcomes the warmer weather that will nurture his tender allotment crops, and counsels patience
June is with us and gardeners up and down the country can feel the tensions brought about by the difficult May weather lifting. Fingers crossed, no more worries of cold nights threatening our little ‘charges’.
What a glorious month June is in the garden when we can truly feel that summer is with us. The most tender of plants like the squashes, pumpkins, courgettes and French beans can be planted out with impunity to join the thriving band of vegetables already residing there. Everything is enjoying the best of Nature’s gifts, like the warmth and water while we assist in providing the rich, fertile soil.
The landscape of the plot seems to change with each passing hour as the days ever lengthen. Now there is time to sit and stare after those busy days of May, sowing and planting. Always take time out to discover the pleasures the eye can behold just admiring the interaction between you and nature. What lies in front of you is the harmony and rewards of a well prepared plot.
The time to look will provide the tasks of the day and you will instantly recognise what needs to be done.
Weeds have sprung up where least expected and must be removed with haste to prevent competition with our own charges.
The fragrance of sweet peas will be flapping in the gentle breeze and will need your support in tying them back to their own cane to help their upward journey. Cut those first blooms, breathe in and enjoy the sensual aroma before transferring them to grace the rooms of your home with their iridescent beauty.
Notice the crops that need harvesting so they can be eaten at the peak of their perfection. Share your excesses with your neighbouring gardeners and family so that they too can experience the flavour and wholesome nature of your skills. Who knows, you may soon have other converts to your unique way of gardening.
Planning tasks to do at this time of year is not necessary...stop, look and these will become evident. Follow your instincts not plans!
The greenhouse is full of those crops that fare better in a more controlled environment. The tomatoes grow upwards with those insignificant yellow flowers appearing at every node. I take the ‘Royal’ approach to my tomatoes, not by talking to them, but by gently tapping and caressing them. No, I am not going slightly mad. This assists the pollination, try it and see how you fare. If nothing else it allows the modern method of bonding with your plants.
The cucumbers twirl their way up their supports and soon those little green torpedoes will lengthen and can add that taste to your salad bowl.
The slowest greenhouse performer is the pepper and despite all my efforts to chivvy it along, it will only crop in its own sweet time.
Still those salad plate goodies will soon be ready and every crop takes its allotted time.
Wait, be patient and as someone more famous than me once said ‘everything comes to those who wait’. No truer words are more applicable than in a garden.
More from Terry Walton
More on growing your own
- The window box allotment
- How to start growing vegetables
- When to start growing vegetables
- How to grow your own salad leaves
- Meet green-fingered chums at Saga Zone
My Life on a Hillside Allotment
Terry Walton is a regular contributor to The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and has written a book called, My Life on a Hillside Allotment, published by Bantam Press. The book is available from Amazon
