OwnGrown

End July transplanted Broccoli to final growing site when 4 - 6″ high. Planted 10 plants 2′ apart.

Final pick of Broad Beans and Peas at end of July when all plants were pulled up and put on compost heap. They are over sooner than usual this year and the total yield appears to have been lower due probably to the very hot summer.  

First signs of caterpillars on the Brussel Sprouts and Kale - not unexpected as white butterflies have been around. Netting is used but the butterflies usually find a way in and the netting is mainly for protection from pigeons. Spraying with Liquid Derris on both sides of the leaves keeps them under control but it must be done early on as these caterpillars soon eat their way through the leaves. 

Transplanted Calabrese end July to final growing site. Plant in small hole 18″ apart, firm soil around plant and water well. Keep well watered for a few days whilst they establish themselves.

First Runner Beans ready mid July and picked when young and tender. These will continue for many weeks now - the main problem tends to be a surplus as they are very prolific.

The chillies started turning red in mid July - slightly earlier than usual when outside due to the hot summer. These will now continue for some time. The small ones in this picture are much hotter than the long ones. Some will be used immediately and the rest will be left to dry. When dry they are stored in an airtight jar where they will keep until the following year’s crop is ready. Alternatively, using a needle and strong thread, you can make a string of them and hang them in the kitchen. Push the needle through the thickest part of the stem just above where it joins the chilli and then just cut off the chillies as and when you need them.

Lifted a few later garlic early July - small bulbs so left the remaining ones for 2 weeks when they were also dug up. Results were even worse - I have no idea why. These were planted with the earlier garlic in the same bed and treated exactly the same. This year one is a success and the other, although usable, is fairly pathetic.

All the carrots were destroyed by rabbits so the carrots were resown having blocked the holes in the border where i think they have entered. Although a little late for sowing, we should have some reasonable size carrots sometime in October.

This picture shows the small, hotter Chillies growing. The smallest ones turn red first. I have no idea what the name is of this type. The plants originated from a random chilli but they are more successful in the UK climate than any other I have tried.

Start using Spring Onions early July