Another opportunity to review progress against around the same time last year. Here’s the link to 27/05/2024 https://lifeonalondonplot.com/2024/05/27/plot-progress-27-05-2024/

The bath pond has settled into semi neglect. The aquatic grasses didn’t make it through the winter and I’ve accepted duck weed as a feature.

The peas this year are much shorter, down to the much drier spring and my lack of watering or maybe because these are seeds saved from last year’s peas?. There will be peas in about a week and there may be decent succession. They are in the yellow cage behind the young kale plants. My post from last May says I’d already been picking kale leaves! To the left is the asparagus which a few months ago I was about to declare dead…

Something else I had declared dead and purchased new crowns was the rhubarb. I made four jars of compote last weekend. The replacement plants are doing well…

What I call the main veg bed has broad beans (black fly fodder) courgettes, bush tomatoes, onions and shallots. When the self-sown nigella has finished, I’ll pull that to make way for the fennel plants.

The wildflower corner is by the bath pond and next to the compost bins. The various spires are pleasing.

The summer raspberries are abundant, I just need to time the cover before the winged and two legged fruit thieves strike. These Joan J autumn raspberries seem happier but fingers still need to be crossed.

Cascade Delight summer raspberries
Joan J autumn raspberries

The rose walk is in it’s first flush. The dark roses need help to fully open the buds but when they do it’s worth it. This is Papa Meilland.

I made a rookie error with the strawberries. I planted them into mounds, as if I was on heavy clay but I’m not anymore – it’s free-draining sandy clay and they are suffering as a result. I may get a few berries. I’m hoping that a heartfelt apology and a new bed will result in bowls of strawberries next year…

How is your growing year so far? Anyone else made daft mistakes?