Allotment Competition Winner!

I'm afraid this photo doesn't do the plot justice, it's Lee & Karens who won first prize on our site in a very close contest.

They've gone down the deep bed route with chippings on the paths - something I'm not 100% in favour of - but the important thing is a variety of quality crops with few if no weeds.

Traditional Plot

This is Jim's plot. No raised beds as such, although the whole plot is raised having had lots of muck and compost added over the years.

He's very ordered, things are sown in straight lines by string and this order results in a very pleasing appearance.

Tony H's Plot

Another raised bed plot. Tony tends to take breaks and the weeds fill the beds then he has a rush of weeding and the plot looks great.

He's got some nice onions at the front. Wish mine were doing as well this year.

Celery Wrapped on Larry's Plot

Our site rep, Larry, is getting rather smart on is plot. This year he's growing celery seriously. Wrapped in brown paper to exclude the light and blanch the stems.

His leeks are in tubes and I wouldn't be surprised to see him growing long carrots for show next year, the way things are going.

Globe Artichoke

I picked up three globe artichoke plants in an end of season sale. They were pretty dried up and I didn't really have a lot of hope for them but they've all taken off well.

They are in a row between the rhubarb and the borlotti beans. Actually an amazing architectural plant that would look good in the border of any garden.

Climbing Beans on Plot 29

On the left are my borlotti beans, which have now completely covered the frame and to the right runner beans and French climbing beans. The borlotti went in a bit earlier and it shows in the growth.

The runners are covered in flowers now so hoping for a good result. To the right, the second sowing of broad beans, Bunyard's Exhibition, are looking really well.

Greenhouse Tomatoes

The tomato border is pretty full in the large greenhouse and they're starting to ripen now. As they reach the top I'm stopping them (pinching out the growing tip) to allow the energy to go into the fruit.

Val and Mr Squeak Sorting Potatoes

Before storing potatoes away in the shed, we check them over and remove any damaged ones. This is because rot spreads easily in the sacks.

Here's Val being assisted by Mr Squeak to go through them on the lawn. They're on an old shower curtain .

Carrots Galore

These are the carrots from my 3 half barrels. I just carefully wiggle out the larger ones and leave the small ones to grow on.

From left to right:

• Touchon - French variety bought there. No idea if early or main crop but they look well and taste well too.
• Nantaise - French variet again, I assume a varient on Nantes which are earlies
• Nantes Frubund - T&M variety. Sown by accident as I intended to sow Tendersnax. Oops. But they've turned out well.

Anya Potatoes

Two rows (minus a plant) harvested at this point. 1 wheelbarrow load, which I estimate at being 25Kg. Not a bad result at all. Good quality as well with little slug damage.