This time last year I had dug about half of the plot, going every other evening to dig another m2. This year is strictly no dig! but I’m busy filling up the second compost bin with clippings whilst the third bay is getting regular manure top-ups.

The soil isn’t great, sandy clay is new territory for me and I’m surprised how quickly it dries out and let’s go of nutrients. There will be much sieving and spreading this autumn/winter to improve the soil quality which will make up for the lack of digging activity.

I have been harvesting this month. The great ‘potatoes in a grow bag’ challenge was successful. This is from one seed potato placed in half a grow bag, which compares well to growing in the ground. These are Charlottes.

I planted two yellow courgette plants ‘butterball’, which may have been one too many. I can recommend them sauteed with charlottes, garlic, peas and a tiny bit of vegetable stock.

The four blueberry bushes who made the journey to the new plot one at a time in the suzuki appreciate their supersized fruit cage and are making good efforts to grow out of it. The blueberries are producing about this much every other day from just two of the four bushes.

The flower harvest is not bad for the first year on a new plot. The new rose bushes have been floriforous and the dahlias are hitting their stride while the roses regroup for a second flush. The middle shot is a bed of gladioli sancerre.

That middle shot also gives a good impression of the overall plot now in production.

The transplanted pear trees continue to survive. I’m watering them every other day when it’s dry and a weekly seaweed feed plus ongoing words of encouragement. Also featured is calendula Indian prince, one of Flighty’s favourites. I’m also using some unused space for a short double row of celeriac.

and finally, the peas are finished and waiting impatiently for the bed is the PSB. I gave each planting hole a generous sprinkle of FBB but still the plants look unimpressed with their new accommodation. I’ll be happy if two of the four plants survive.

The biggest failure has been the autumn raspberries. Both rows of Joan J purchases from Ashridge nursery gave up after an initial burst of green growth which gradually yellowed, turned brown and died. I did think it was poor quality stock and purchased a pot of 5 canes of Polka from a local garden centre. These went the same way. I replaced some of the soil when I planted the polka canes. Just to the right are the summer fruiting canes, five of the six are thriving. I’m at a loss to work out what went wrong. Just as well I’m overrun with blueberries this year.

Apart from raspberries, most things are settled in and doing well. I just need to keep on top of watering and feeding to get them through the first summer. I may be the only gardener who is secretly pleased with mild temperatures and regular downpours. I will change my tune if it turns into blight!

What are your highs and lows this year?