Growing season still in full flow here oop North! Many things came back for a second growth in Sept./Oct, no doubt due to the unseasonal warmth with the ground already very moist from August rain.
In particular both kinds of artichokes, which I grow as they are so hard to find in shops. The Jerusalems only started to flower last week! and still aren't ready to harvest. Had a good harvest of Globes in July & Aug, the foliage then died down & whole new plants have re-grown from the base, albeit only with 4 new globes big enough to eat - still growing though.
Asparagus Bed well established now, decent enough crop throughout the summer (which is unusual, normally just May & June) but you have to remember to frost-protect them over winter & start watering the whole bed, not just individual plants, from March onwards *even when no growth is showing*, as they're very shallow rooted & will just dry up & die if they don't get a kickstart from watering.
Runner Beans - Achievement A new variety for me (had previously stuck with Scarlet Emperor) which I'm very impressed with, did extremely well until poles blew over in late Sept. gale (a first on my sheltered plot). Late developer (which suits conditions 600' up on Pennines) & cropper with a very sweet flavour & little stringing, will be sticking with them now & have saved seeds.
Courgettes Ambassador. Another new variety for me, again impressed - very sweet taste, & will stick with them instead of the old Defenders. Growth - did what courgettes do, excess from only 3 plants helps build compost heap!
Cucumbers Telegraph. Did very well in greenhouse, plentiful supply from just 3 plants. Long smooth fruit.
Celtuce - can't recommend highly enough -leaves have a lovely flavour, & the stem is lush (don't leave it too late to harvest as they turn woody) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtuce
Lettuce Stuck with only Green Salad Bowl (cut & come again variety) this year; but they still did what all lettuces do even when well watered & in partial shade - bolted like Usain.
Spring Onions Usual White Lisbons, did well as ever. Some usually die down to last through winter into the following April, when they regrow to give you a headstart in early harvesting.
Leeks Giant Winter & Below Zero. Better than usual this year, as in no rust! Surprising given the wet weather in July & Aug - maybe nasturtiums & marigolds grown amongst them helped? 🤔 Again a crop that will last through to next spring. Did a second sowing in Aug, bu they're still v. small albeit healthy.
Spuds. I don't do anything, they just keep coming up from the tiny baby volunteers that I missed the previous year! I fill in any gaps with supermarket organic ones, same as originals. I like Vivaldi for their smoothness, & it might be my imagination but I think they're slightly less susceptible to bugs, slugs & worm too.
Fig trees One in greenhouse, one in barrel against S. wall of house. Bought from Waitrose supermarket as wee saplings about 8 years ago. Both did reasonably well, though I'm at a loss why loads of the greenhouse one remain as small hrd bullets, while others grow lush, plump & sweet. Can't remember variety & labels dropped off years ago.
Re-growth also for many non-veg - in particular, Magnolia tree (StarWars) came out for a lovely second flowering. [Post edited 16 Oct 2023 12:31]
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