Down on the Allotment

Matron grows vegetables and fruit in a Hampshire garden. I've been growing veggies since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Some traditional varieties and old favourites as well as new ideas. I share my garden with my allotment assistant Daisy the Labrador. On Twitter as @MatronsVeggies

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Saving Seeds

This year more than ever, I have been remembering to make the effort to save my own seed for next year. I set aside two plants from my beautiful crimson flowered broad beans, and left them to go to seed. Now I have a couple of hundred seeds and I'd love to share some.
Just look at the difference in my beautiful Rouge vif D'Etamps pumpkins! Just a couple of days after I had publicly complained about their progress.. they started making an effort. Well done boys! keep it up. I gently turned them over and stood them upright so that their beautiful squat shape will not be spoiled. They should ripen to a lovely ginger colour.
Courgettes are in full flood at the moment. Pictured here along with the green Defender courgette are some of my yellow straightneck squash from the USA. I have a relation who was born and brought up in Alabama and she used to make 'yellow squash pie' - I feel duty bound to keep up the family tradition.
I lifted my shallots Pikant a couple of days ago when they were still nice and dry. I have left them to dry completely in a shed and will tidy them up in a few days. Not particularly big, but very sound and there are loads of them!
Another of my beautiful beefsteak tomato Country Taste was ready today. They are so delicious I like to eat them with nothing on..... ooooh Matron!
Finally, another interesting cloud over the sky in Hillingdon today. I think this one is known as a Mackerel Sky but is really Cirrocumulus undulatus if you're interested you could always visit the Cloud Appreciation Society and have a look at their stunning photos.

2 Comments:

At 9:04 AM, Blogger Kath said...

"Not long wet and not long dry" was the old wife's prediction on seeing a mackerel sky.

I'm seed saving too. (Sometimes you get so carried away you forget to eat things - just save them!)

I've not heard of that tomato before but it certainly looks the business. I love to read your blog.

 
At 6:20 PM, Blogger HappyMouffetard said...

Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog. You've got a wonderful harvest there! Puts mine to shame.

I too was going to comment on the 'not long wet, not long dry' - it's probably time to get your washing in!

 

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