Veggies

Well, the long awaited fruits of our labour are beginning to appear. I am absolutely loving growing the tomatoes and co. We did go a bit overboard with the amount, but I am researching old catsup recipes. Last year aunt Judy made a delicious tomato jam with her surplus.

Here is the main crop of tomatoes in the back garden. We created some space alongside the wall where the sun shines the longest. They seem to be thriving despite my initial, elementary, mistake which was to pinch the leader early. I know for next year to wait for four trusses then pinch.

These are regular, hardy versions. We also have Italian plums and cherries that don't need pinching. However, the ones in the terracotta pots out in the front are really not doing well. I don't know if it's something in the pot or drainage, but I will be sticking to plastic pots next year.

The zucchini are coming on. It's wonderful to go out and simply pick a couple to use immediately. Although pretty tasteless, they are firm, fresh and simple. Alastair tried them steamed with a bit of butter and lemon the other day and loved them.

The front garden path adorned with aubergines on the left and cherries on the right. The aubergines are still holding up but could be better. I gave one to Barbara the other week to nurture and hers is already twice the size. I suspect her glass house provides a more suitable climate than our eastern winds and utterly changeable rainy, sunny, windy, cold and warm that we've been experiencing.

And there you have it. The decision to plant the courgettes out in the front has proved to be a good one. Firstly, they are thriving there, and don't appear to be being scrumped by passers-by. Also, the plants are really beautiful. First thing in the morning, or after rain, the bright yellow flowers open right up and the plant leaves are large and quite tropical looking.