Barry Cuff takes a look back through his notes of what happened on his Sturminster Newton plot last month
It was a month of two halves. It had been a very dry May, and the first fortnight of June brought around three inches of much-needed rain before the weather turned hot and dry again, with daytime temperatures climbing into the low 30s. The rain, followed by the sunshine, produced phenomenal growth – both in the crops and, unfortunately, the weeds.
All images: Barry Cuff
First pickings
This month brought our first harvests of peas, courgettes, carrots and beetroot.
Potatoes
Our new variety, Orla, has been lifted as required for new potatoes. Val and I agree they are probably the best-tasting new potatoes we have ever grown, and are certain to be back on the plot in 2027! Charlotte salad potatoes were lifted on the 25th and produced a good crop. By the 28th, the haulms on Jazzy and Sagitta had died back and these will be dug in early July. Caledonian Rose and Desiree continue to look healthy and should be ready in early August.
French and runner beans
Both are now producing their first flowers.
Broad beans
Finished cropping by the middle of the month with only an average yield, probably as a result of the dry conditions in May.
Peas and mangetout
The first three rows of peas are now in flower, while both sowings of mangetout are looking particularly healthy.
Sweetcorn
Our 80 sweetcorn plants have put on excellent growth during the recent hot weather. They remain protected behind a chicken-wire fence to deter hungry badgers.
Brassicas
The cabbages and Brussels sprouts have all grown well. Cheesy and Cendis cauliflowers, along with Ironman calabrese, have been planted out under cloches and should crop from mid-October through to December. Waiting in the plug trays for planting next month are Rudolph and Claret purple sprouting broccoli, Stromboli calabrese, Aureo cauliflower and Tundra cabbage.
Courgettes and winter squash
These were slow to get going but are now cropping well, with the squash beginning to send out runners.
Gherkins and cucumbers
Both are now producing their first flowers.
Celery and celeriac
After a slow start in the plug trays, both crops were finally planted out in the middle of the month.
Garlic
The crop was harvested and safely stored by the 26th. A small number of bulbs showed signs of white rot.
Onions
Growing well, although keeping them weed-free remains a challenge.
Parsnips
Now thinned to two or three plants per station.
Summer salads
We are harvesting lettuce, carrots, beetroot, spinach, radishes and spring onions.
Greenhouse
The tomatoes and sweet peppers are carrying plenty of green fruit. Both are misted daily with liquid seaweed.
Soft fruit
We are now picking strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and black, white and redcurrants.
Flowers
Sweet Williams and sweet peas continue to provide a steady supply of cut flowers for the house. For the insects, we have planted tithonia and sunflowers, while some of our favourite ‘special weeds’ are now flowering, including feverfew, moth mullein, weasel snout and opium poppy.
Weeding
There is never a day without hand weeding or hoeing somewhere on the plot. Our biggest culprits so far this year have been gallant soldier, bindweed, fat hen, sow thistle and many-seeded goosefoot.
Water
The recent hot, dry weather has created heavy demand across the allotment site, meaning the well has needed to be pumped daily to keep the storage tank and water troughs topped up.
