This has seemed like a year off tending the allotment. Although we have visited often, the daily/weekly visits have not been possible. Aside from mowing the lawns and paths weeding (of course), there hasn’t been a vast amount to maintain. We definitely aren’t aiming for prize-winning standards, or even keeping up appearances. The plot has to take its place alongside the other demands on our time.
We have also had a very odd year of weather for gardening. It started off with a freezing cold spring (May), then overnight turned boiling hot and dry (June to mid-July), and late summer (Jul/Aug) seems to have been a monsoon (good old St Swithun). In early summer, our crop plans were defeated by the difficulties of watering through a drought, whilst accomodating two full time jobs, two kids and a full calendar of holidays and long distance family celebrations. We have had a fantastic year as human beings, but less so as gardeners!
So we were thrilled to find that the apple trees have been busy while we were away.
Every year seems to bring something special from luck rather than judgement, and here it was. Jamie has promised to make a tarte tatin later, so I will post photos of the results later.
