Potatoes, Peas and Tomatoes

The third (final) part of my Mid-June veg report...

A number of my veggies are approaching maturity now. The potato plants have flowers on them, which is usually agreed to be a sign that the tubers down below ground will be swelling. I normally leave mine until the flowers have died off, just so that I can maximise the yield. If you dig up the potatoes too soon the tubers may be tasty, but they will be very small.

The potato haulm (foliage) has become very luxuriant due to all the recent rain.

The peas, likewise, are not far off being ready. Lots of pods have formed, and (in the right light conditions) you can see little peas inside them.

The Purple-podded Desiree ones are very much more vigorous than the other two varieties (Boogie and Premium). The bi-colour flowers are really pretty, and I'm sure the pods will be as well.

The Desiree peas are at the ends of my 2.4 metre row. You can see that the foliage is a lot shorter and sparser in the centre where the other two types are growing.

Fortunately there are so far no signs of the mildew which so often afflicts peas in my garden.

Meanwhile, the first tiny fruits are visible on the tomatoes. This is "Sungold".

Most of the plants though are still at the flower stage, like these.

I wish I could honestly say that my squash plants are doing well, but unfortunately that is not the case. They urgently need some warm sunny weather to bring them along. I don't have high hopes of a good harvest this year. This one is "Autumn Crown". It looks as if there is a flower forming there, but it will probably get washed away in the torrential rain we are experiencing.