U3A Allotment

After a cold Spring which made everything late this year, with hard work, we have been rewarded with a bountiful harvest so far. We have been enjoying broad beans, early carrots and potatoes, lettuce, radish, peas, spinach, red & brown onions, turnips, rhubarb and delicious strawberries. The gooseberry bushes have been laden this year, which maybe the result of pruning early in the year. The plum tree underwent hard pruning in the winter and we wait to see if this improves the crop or not. The apple tree is laden with fruit at the present time but the raspberries are not looking good this year, so it may be time to invest in new canes. Beetroot, marrow and squash, runner beans and french beans are just ready now and parsnips, leeks , cabbage, brussel sprouts and swede are coming along too and will be ready later. The sweet corn is looking good & we will soon have tomatoes to enjoy. The dahlias did not survive the winter but new ones have been planted and the flower garden has been filled with lupins, sweet peas, cosmos and giant sunflowers. Unlike the last few years, we have had some hot, dry weather of late but this increases the need for watering regularly and we are still needing a couple more helping hands if anyone fancies joining our group. Diane 5/8/13