I took another early trip to the allotment today to keep up with watering and harvesting. I’ve got some more French beans developing in the bed shown below, although not quite enough for a second pick this week:

I put in the beans, peas, spinach and the bushy Cosmos down the centre on the left. The idea was to attract pollinators, which would also benefit the peas and beans but they haven’t got to full flowering yet. At least they look pretty and, later in the season, will be more material for the compost heap.

Not all of the plants in that bed are ones I planted myself. On the left, the cosmos and beans are joined by a couple of healthy examples of Chenopodium album (Fat Hen). I’m cultivating the related Chenopodium giganteum (Tree Spinach or Magenta Spreen) elsewhere on the plot and this common ‘weed’ can join the harvest. Meanwhile, among the peas and spinach on the right, a tomato has established itself. We’ll see if it manages to produce any fruit but I’m surprised how quickly it has come up – I’m sure I haven’t noticed it before!

Both of these are what gardeners sometimes refer to as ‘volunteer plants’ and, as edibles which aren’t overly aggressive or invasive, I’m happy for them to add themselves to the allotment.