Summer 2017 – The Verdict
Posted By Judith on 19th August 2017
Well I thought it was about time to take a look back at the triumphs and tribulations of the growing year. I think it would be fair to say fortunes have been mixed.
Some disasters were of my own making, but let’s begin with the damsons and plums, which were both outside my control, neither of which cropped as well as previous years.
Why? I have no idea but my best guess would be a combination of strong winds, torrential downpours and pigeons, destroying the buds, flowers and young fruits, none of which I could do much about. So we’ll just say the fruit harvest has been disappointing, let’s hope it’s better next year, and move on to the vegetables.
They too have been disappointing, but this time it was my own fault for starting them off too late. The peas were a disaster, the jury’s still out on the sweetcorn, but I’m in danger of running out of summer. The broad beans, a dwarf variety I’ve never tried before, were OK and not having to stake them was a dream, but I think I’ll go back to the tried and tested varieties next year.
Which leaves me with the flowers. The seed success was varied as germination was anything from rampant to non existent and all points in between. Those that did survive were attacked mercilessly by slugs, snails and pigeons. I shall have to try harder next year to protect them.
However two varieties that have excelled are the night scented stock and the acanthus. Sadly the stock is a very scruffy looking specimen, though it’s evening fragrance is undoubtedly strong and quite exotic, whilst the acanthus was 100% germination and 100% slug free.
Finally the Gladioli planted in Adrian’s Wall have flowered and what spectacular colours they are too. Sadly most of them are horizontal so haven’t provided quite the effect I was looking for.
Here you can see a few of them. Click on the pictures for a bigger version.
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So what is my verdict on the Summer of 2017 at Grassy Bottom?
Could do better, try harder next year, but whatever you do, don’t forget to see the bigger picture and appreciate all the things that did go well.
