Mystery squash: cornells bush dilecta?

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Since this is unlabelled, and the only of the home home squashes to grow past slimers. I have no idea what variety this. It’s a tiny green fruit with stripes, as it’s growing very rapidly. There are several vines all growing off in assorted directions. I can only guess that it’s cornells bush dilecta winter squash.

Winter squashes: trying again

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I have had a very little success in keeping home sown seeds alive with the slimers attacking. For the last few weeks, I have been thinking of re-sowing, especially as there has been warm weather. So we are trying yet again with the winter squashes.

Today, I planted out the Atlantic giants so I felt a bit spurred in. These seeds are for the moment sat in the four tier blowaway. I shall leave them there over night, and then transfer then to the Wendy house which is boiling when warm.

Here’s hoping!

Ghost rider 2014

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This is this years ghost rider pumpkin. Amongst the dinner plate sized leaves are nestled two small marble sized fruits. Only spotted those yesterday, so we shall see how much success we have with this plant. So far I have only ever got one fruit from a plant.

Dorset Naga update

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These are the four competition Dorset Naga plants. They are Sybil, El macho, stevie and a big Didgy. El macho is the tallest, with all but Sybil now forming flower buds.

Still quite small, I’m not sure if they are going to be six foot tall by autumn. Though I do keep willing them all on to grow!

Crimson sweet watermelon

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The developmentally delayed watermelon is starting to flourish. There are more leaves and even two very tiny flowers. Looks okay, but let’s see how this turns out.

Baby aubergine: Goodness Gracious me

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The aubergine continues to grow. This is the first one, there is another fruit in a second plant. With further lilac flowers opening across the three black prince plants. Quite rapid growth across the assorted plants as the weather warms up.

Lifted; up we come

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Have lifted the garlic from the largest bed. Have to say, that I’m not convinced by this years crops. Purple wight was this years go to, in previous years it has been brilliant. Yielding big fat juicy cloves. This years crop is smaller in bulb and Clove size. The vayo and sultop does appear to have done better. There is further evidence for putting it in raised beds.

Now left to dry out and use as and when.

Bollywood courgette chutney first draft 2014

Last year, I made a version of Pam the jam’s courgette chutney. The fact that it is very Bollywood was a key point. Today, I have attempted another version, but varied still in adding red sweet pepper.

Home grown onions and garlic as well as a patty pan were used in this. The courgette was salted before hand.

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Was simple enough to follow through. Does look a bit untidy though. I did note, that Thane Princes tip; of parting with a spoon and parting the sea to form a channel was a very good indicator to have in mind.

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Self healing tomatoes

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Nestled in a raised bed are two very small tomato plants. Up until a few weeks ago, these were gnarled sticks that had been gnawed about by slimers whilst in open ground. Not wanting to give up on them, I transplanted to a raised bed.

They may not be as tall or leafy as their big brothers and sisters. But I do hope that that continued to flourish.

Never ever give up on a plant!