July round-up - Fruit

Raspberries were getting sick of the rain too - lots of botrytus on the first flush of fruit. Had to pick the wrotten ones off, but with the drier weather later in the month I've been picking them every day.

Made the first batch of Strawberry and Raspberry jam with plenty of Pectin this time to get it to set. The kids have requested no seeds in the next batch.

The single Cherry that was developing has vanished. Probably gone to the birds. Have pruned the branches so they are in well-spaced pairs ready for making a fan next year.

 The strawberries have had a much longer season this year, have been picking them well past Wimbledon fortnight. I've found that the ones grown in containers have done much better than those grown flat in the ground. Next year will cut down on the number of plants and grow a wider variety in pots to get an even longer season. There are one or two 'ever-bearing' varieties in the shops that I might try too.

 The grapes are developing very well, on both red and white vines on the pergola. Might need to dust off the demi-johns!

 Nothing on the Bramley this year, guess it's just settling in.

 Nothing on the Blackcurrants either. Again, just getting established.

 I'm not sure that putting straw under the strawberries helped much either. Just gave the slugs somewhere moist and shady to hide during the day.

 Picked up some lone vine-eyes for the espaliered Elstar as the branches were too close to the fence. There are signs of a bit of rust or fungus on the leaves. Don't want to spray them, so hope the better air circulation and warm dry air will clear things up.

No sign of fruit on the fig yet either. Maybe later in the year.

 The first blueberries are ready now though...

 Nice to have fresh strawberries and blueberries on my cereals at last!

Next, flowers.