Allotment update- pumpkin proud, luscious leeks and awesome apples

This year, for the first time we have grown Crown Prince pumpkin – it’s so amazing that such huge pumpkins grow from a tiny seed in just a matter of months.  I have never actually seen pumpkins grow before and it’s fascinating.  First the spreading vine grows then come the yellow flowers.  Soon the base of the flower begins to swell and this is what will become your pumpkin. 

Pumpkins are fairly easy to grow but they need a lot of room.  If you remember we sowed the pumpkin seeds in pots in April – 1 seed per pot.  Counter intuitively the seeds are planted on their sides.  The pots were kept in the greenhouse until late May/early June when we put them out in a cold frame during the day.  In June we transferred them to the allotment.  They need plenty of room so plant around 3 feet apart.  They need a lot of water to help the pumpkin to swell and we also fed them with organic fertiliser which is seaweed based every 10 days.  Now they are ready to cut and enjoy.  They have a blue-green skin, orange flesh and a sweet, nutty flavour.  Use them in tagines, stews or slice and roast with red onion wedges, courgette, aubergine and red pepper slices.

The leeks are also ready and are also easy to grow from seed.  This year however we were given some that were 15-20cm tall and so ready to plant out.  Make a hole with a dibber about 15-20 cm deep.  Plant the leeks at the bottom of the hole and DO NOT FILL THE HOLE IN.  Plant the leeks 15cm apart and leave 30 cm between rows.  Fill the holes with water.  The leeks are also ready to harvest now. 

Now that they are in their second year our apple trees have borne fruit.  We have two eating apple trees, Golden Delicious and Gala.  Apple trees need very little care but with all the high winds we have been getting, we have had to tie them to thick stakes.

Vegan recipes from this blog that you may want to try include:-

'Meatless Monday-Low calorie vegan-Chilli stuffed squash'
'Meatless Monday-Chickpea,squash and coconut curry'
'Meatless Monday-Beetroot falafel with squash on flatbread'

'Meatless Monday-'Soy' meatballs with leek and mushroom ragu and pasta'
'Meatless Monday-Mock 'cock-a-leekie soup'
'Meatless Monday-Vegan bangers with fiery mash-bonfire night special'

'Summer ices 2-Apple crumble nice cream-Dairy free and no added sugar'
'Granny knew best-An apple an day really does keep the doctor away!'

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