A mixed bag for July

This month started off with high temperatures and dry days, followed by some very unsettled weather, heavy rain and strong winds - we even gale force one day in the middle of the month. Now however we're back to more settled and dry conditions, though lately there has been a lot of fog and very high humidity (but no rain).

Most crops are growing well, bounding away with the warm and wet conditions. On the stall at the moment are:

• Early and Salad Potatoes
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Mixed salad leaves
• Melons
• Parsley
• Mint
• Kale
• Cabbage
• Spinach
• Peas
• French beans

One of the most enjoyable sights over the past three weeks or so has been linnets and goldfinches munching away on thistles and fat hen that have gone to seed. It's a classic dilemma of weeds versus wildlife - the weeds will give me a weed problem, but it's just not right to deny these birds a major source of food.

Hot and dry, now some welcome rain

June has been a very dry month here on Scilly with temperatures regularly above 20C, which is fairly unusual for such a maritime climate. That's made growing a bit difficult, though some crops have thrived including potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes and strawberries.

A wide variety of produce is available on the stall at the moment, including:

• Bunched carrots
• Second early potatoes
• Waxy salad potatoes
• Mixed salad leaves
• Cucumbers
• Strawberries
• Basil
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Kale
• Courgettes
• Garlic

The stall is in Middle Town beside the road and is stocked up at 9.30am every day and open until sunset.

The blackcurrants planted in April have settled in well and produced quite a decent crop for their first year - though I value these far too much to sell just yet!! Next year...

The cherry tomatoes are coming on in the tunnel and hopefully will be ready for sale in a week or so. The cucumbers are ridiculous, 8ft high with a heavy crop on - best ever.

Today has been a day of steady rain, about 3/4 of an inch which will be very useful and hopefully have soaked in well. Could do with another dose of rain in the next few days and then we'll be able to make a bit of progress again.