Another sunny evening at the shire (allotment) and all is well. The squashes and courgettes continue to blossom; I’m sure when I stop weeding, I can actually hear them grow. The beetroots are squabbling for space in their bed. So much so, that this could be the weekend I negotiate with Soph for some time in kitchen so I can create my pickled beetroot. My sweet, purple spheres of tangy delight, has it been a year already? How my salads have missed your pickled presence! And the onions? The pride I have for these fellows, both red and white, brings tears to my eyes!Now one vegetable which has, so far, been the ‘dark knight’ of the Shire, is my swede. I’ve watered, weeded and.. that’s been pretty much it.  But to my delight, these fellas are coming on a treat and have grown to play nicely with the other brassicas. They have suffered a little leaf nibble from a slug or two but are so far surpassing all my expectations.

I’m sure if vegetables owned smart phones we would be bombarded with veggie selfies at this point in the year, teasing us with the subtle reveal of a blushing tomato, or the firm touch of a bulging zucchini.  And don’t even get me started on the tweets from the titillating turnips.  Which reminds me, have you seen that the Agents of Field are now on Twitter?

But with August starting to peer over the horizon, I will soon bid a fond farewell to July, knowing that the next few weeks are going to be a busy month for all us outdoor growers. Whether you’re blanching beans, picking parnips or cutting cucumbers, this is a time of action and excitement.  We’ve waited all year for this moment.  Like finely tuned military machines, we’re itching to get out in the field and start harvesting.

So fellow allotmenteers: stand by your beds, and with trug in hand may you all receive your spoils of war.. Dismissed!