The best season in years

Haven't posted a blog for a while as life is so busy on the site coping with the maintenance of not just my plot but the site in general. I have 2 tenants that really do more than their fair share of communal work but most are just happy to potter about on their own patch. Fair enough. We have a good response if anything specific is asked for so can't complain, too many cooks CAN spoil the site.

After a dubious start to the season, cold spring, late frosts and the signs of another wet year, the high pressure bringing warm settled weather has been with us for several weeks now and all of us are agreeing it has been the best season for crops for at least 3 years. The fruit bushes, strawberries, raspberries have responded well to the strong sunshine this year, we can't pick fast enough. The dreaded potato blight, usually here by now in Cornwall has held off and our first earlies being dug now have a marvellous crop to offer, slug free for a change. Peas too are the best we've known so far on this site, often attacked by voles, wood pigeons, etc., have had a rest this year so the harvest is really good.

One minus point of the hot spell is that the water tanks haven't stood up to the demands and we are having to rely on mains which has to be paid for obviously. The real problem that I witness is to water correctly and I have sent an email to all spelling out correct practice or the rentals will have to go up next season to pay the bills. It was difficult to write to all as only a few are guilty of wasteful watering and I am certain some think sure, but we know this. When you see a tenant running off 5 x 10 litre containers in the hot sunshine at midday just to water the tops of blackcurrant bushes and EVERY crop on the plot the despair creeps in.

Our new car park opened this week is being warily tested by everyone. It is a tadge further and uphill on earth which will turn muddy when the wet returns but we'll do something to improve that soon, it seems ok and good to be separate from the visitors to the house. 

Most of the money from the Cornwall in bloom win in 2012 was spent on our weathervane which has proved useful when deciding whether to have a bonfire or not with regard to smoke direction and annoyance of others. However, with the small balance left have bought a bird bath for the community gardens which will provide a centre piece for a few years, pic here and of the formal garden (one of 4 different gardens) also the new car park with our own bays.

 

Busy organising our annual BBQ and prizegiving on 4th August to be followed by a coach trip later the same month. We have quite a good social life which is enjoyed by 50 - 60%, the others just want to potter as already mentioned, suits us.

Off to enjoy another sunny day in this beautiful county, we are lucky with 160 beaches to choose from or pretty moorland to walk on or even stroll around our lovely allotments.