Pumpkins, squashes and cucumbers

Pumpkin planted into the mulched patch.

Today I got down on the plot as early as I could - 10.30! - to avoid the heat of the day.
I immediately set about planting the seedling Squashes, Pumpkins and Cucumbers. For each I dig a hole and fill it with some of my super compost before heaping the soil on top and planting in the top of the mound. I then scoop a moat round the mound to retain the water. (Last year one of my courgettes rotted off where the stem met the ground, probably because I had watered the plant itself not the soil around the plant.)

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Lovely moist soil contrasted with the dry stuff in the top left corner.

The Squashes are planted round my Sweet Corn so they grow into the shade of the taller Corn while the Corn has its roots shaded by the Squashes.

The Pumpkins and Cucumbers were planted in a patch I had left mulched with horse litter to keep down the weeds, however I was surprised at how moist the soil was under the mulch. The soil round the Sweet Corn was dust dry on top and still quite dry a foot down. The soil under the mulch was moist all the way down from the surface. I had scraped the mulch away to dig the holes but I will scrape it back once the thunderstorms rumbling away outside now have dumped some welcome rain.

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Before going home I harvested some early potatoes; three plants gave enough for several days eating even with my visitors. I also picked a couple of savoy cabbages and gave one to my neighbour, receiving in exchange some lovely lettuces and three good size beetroot. Well worth the exchange!