Another Day at the Allotments - Raspberries, Fox Visitors and Growing Pumpkins

 

The Mystery of the Invisible Biters

You'd think after three years of having our raspberries take up a full quarter of both allotments, I'd have learned by now. But there I was again this week, picking away with bare arms, and getting bitten by whatever creatures lurk unseen in those canes. It's the same story every time - I never actually see what's doing the biting, but my arms tell the tale afterwards with their collection of itchy bumps.

The raspberry canes have become quite the jungle over these three years. What started as neat rows has developed into a proper thicket of growth, which is brilliant for fruit production but creates the perfect hiding spots for all manner of small creatures. You can hear the rustling as you pick, the occasional buzz of something flying past, but you never quite catch sight of what's actually doing the damage to your arms. By the time you notice the stings and bites, whatever caused them has long disappeared back into the green depths.

Speaking of mysterious bites, I've had a particularly nasty one this week that appeared while I was in bed. Four days on and it's still growing and irritating - one of those lumps that just won't quit. We actually found a crushed spider in the morning after we got up, so that mystery was solved at least. Makes you wonder what else is lurking about that we never actually spot. Sara wasn't too pleased about sharing the bed with an eight-legged visitor, and I can't say I blame her. The bite itself is a proper angry-looking thing, red and swollen, the kind that makes you wonder if you should be concerned or just put up with it like all the other occupational hazards of gardening life.

A Day Without Sam

Sam had to work today, so it was just Iris and me managing the allotments. We've got a good system going between the three of us usually, but we made do well enough without him. It's interesting how the dynamic changes when one of our regular trio is missing. Sam usually takes charge of the heavier work and has a good eye for spotting problems before they become bigger issues. But Iris has really grown into her role over the years, and at 16, she's got a natural instinct for what the plants need.

The weather was perfect for working - not too hot, with a gentle breeze that made the physical work comfortable. These are the days you remember why you love allotment life so much. No rush, no pressure, just you and the plants and the satisfaction of watching everything grow.

Unwelcome Visitors

First discovery of the day came when we were getting the tools and watering cans from the shed. Iris spotted straight away that we'd had some unwelcome visitors - the fox or foxes had been at it again. They'd dug a proper hole in one of our potato rows and managed to get four potatoes up. Thankfully, they haven't ruined the plant entirely, but it's always a bit frustrating when you see your hard work disturbed like that.

This particular fox has been a regular visitor for months now. We've seen the evidence of its nighttime raids - disturbed soil, the occasional paw print in the softer earth, and now this potato excavation. I suspect it's actually a family of foxes rather than just one, given the amount of activity we've noticed. They seem particularly drawn to areas where we've recently earthed up the potatoes, probably because the soil is easier to dig and there might be interesting scents from our work.

The damage could have been worse. Four potatoes lost isn't the end of the world, and the main plant structure is intact. We'll need to keep an eye on that row though, as foxes tend to return to spots where they've had success before. Might be worth considering some deterrent measures, though I'm always reluctant to do anything that might harm wildlife. It's their world too, after all.

Watering and Watching Things Grow

Iris took charge of the watering today and did a brilliant job. She's developed a real understanding of what each crop needs and when. She started with the pumpkins, which are absolutely swelling up now - exciting to see them getting so big. We planted several varieties this year, and they're all responding well to the regular attention. The largest one is already the size of a football and shows no signs of slowing down. Sara's already planning what she'll do with them come harvest time - soups, roasts, maybe even some preserves.

Then she moved on to our French green beans, the Blue Lake variety we got from Lidl. I'd started these in the greenhouse back in early spring, nurturing them through those uncertain weeks when the weather couldn't make up its mind between winter and spring. We planted them out at the beginning of June, and they've responded brilliantly to the outdoor conditions. We've already had one good picking from them, and they're looking set for more. The pods are crisp and tender, exactly what you want from climbing beans.

She finished up watering the courgettes, which are always thirsty in this weather. These plants are absolute water guzzlers, especially when they're in full production mode. We've learned over the years that keeping them well-watered is the secret to tender, flavorful courgettes rather than the tough, oversized marrows that happen when you neglect them for too long.

Simple Successes

Those Blue Lake beans have been a real success this year. It just goes to show that you don't need fancy expensive seeds - sometimes the simple ones from the supermarket do just as well, if not better. There's something satisfying about proving that good gardening isn't about spending lots of money on premium varieties, but about understanding what your plants need and providing it consistently.

The greenhouse work earlier in the year really paid off with these beans. Starting them indoors gave them the head start they needed, and transplanting them as strong, established plants meant they could focus their energy on growing and producing rather than just surviving the transition to outdoor life.

Raspberry Quarter Paying Off

Even with the invisible biters doing their worst, our decision three years ago to dedicate a full quarter of the two allotments to raspberries continues to pay dividends. The picking this week was good - 6 kilograms in total - and there's plenty more to come. It's just a matter of remembering to cover up those arms next time - though knowing me, I'll probably forget again and end up with another collection of mystery bites.

That 6 kilograms represents hours of careful picking, but also weeks of tending, watering, and watching the fruit develop. Sara's already making plans for preserving the bulk of this harvest - some will go straight into the freezer for winter puddings, some will become jam, and the best of them will be enjoyed fresh while they're at their peak. There's nothing quite like a sun-warmed raspberry eaten straight from the cane.

The raspberry quarter has truly transformed our allotment experience. What was once mixed vegetable beds has become a productive fruit garden that provides for us year-round. It's one of those decisions that seemed quite drastic at the time but has proven its worth season after season.

Looking Ahead

All in all, another satisfying day at the allotments. The fox might have caused a bit of mischief, but everything else is growing well. The pumpkins are swelling, the beans are producing, and the raspberries keep delivering their sweet rewards despite the mysterious creatures that call them home.

Roll on the next harvest. With weather like this and plants responding so well, it feels like we're heading for one of those bumper years that remind you why you fell in love with growing your own food in the first place.