Early August - things can only get better?

July has been a difficult month, weather wise. 

The balance between work and weeds hasn't existed. We had a relaxing break abroad during the first week or so and since we came back, it feels like it has rained since! There has been some spectacular storms, one of which I caught on camera when working outside however the camera did not do the noise of the thunder any justice. I described it to Steven as "end of the world loud"!  Of course he rolled his eyes to that.

There are some wins to celebrate. We have harvested onions and garlic which have turned out excellent. There are not enough onions by anyone's imagination but there may be enough garlic – for a year that is.

 

  

You can always rely on the rhubarb to come good and I've lots preserved for the Winter, which lots more in the freezer.  Strawberries were short and sweet, a disappointing harvest. Raspberries are still coming though we haven't had many yet due to the haircut I gave them earlier in the year. Gooseberries were fantastic and are in the freezer awaiting their purpose in life. The 3 colours of are in there currants too.

  

The greenhouse and polytunnel are looking great as I have managed to get in and tidy up the jungle. We do however have a caterpillar infestation in the greenhouse, so I have invested in some BT and a new spray bottle to combat them ahead of the Winter planting. They have completely decimated the brassicas I had in there which were looking so healthy, a real demotivator if I am honest.

 

As I type this, I realise we have had a lot of wins despite the current state of the plot. The weeds are raging, though it’s not just in the veg beds, they aren’t actually too bad. It’s the pathways and hedges. Everything is looking very untidy and unloved and that makes us sad.

Rather than avoid the problem, I’m making a plan to tackle it. Sounds obvious but starting at the beginning, with what you see as soon as you walk in to the plot and work through to the back. After all, you don’t want to be put off and lose your motivation the moment you go out there, do you?

So let’s do this together and make a plan. I’m going to walk around (the whole smallholding, not just the plot) and make a list of things that need doing first to help not feel overwhelmed. If there’s a list to work to, I can tick things off and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Once the big things are noted and done, I can hopefully get the veg patch back in to maintenance mode which is where I got to before the holiday.

I'm going to grab the camera tonight and share it on YouTube.