Allotments 4 All

i have spent two hours today clearing my plot. by that i mean weeding, tidying up fallen leaves, but also pulling out some plants like tomatoes, peppers etc that had gone over. my plot looks very empty and forelorn now - i mean i still have root crops and brassicas growing, but nothing is left of the verdant lushness of summer. all in all a sad day.

however, am in the process of putting in onions, garlic and more seeds for spinach etc for the winter :)

how do you guys feel about this season in the garden?

I feel sad that another growing season has gone...but I console myself that, as an allotmenter, at least I knew there was one...proximity to nature's processes is what 'happiness' is all about as far as I'm concerned...

I remember on the Simpsons once Bart broke his leg and was complaining that he'd miss the whole summer: playing out with his friends etc. Homer's words of comfort were: 'Don't worry son. When you're older you can get a job and then you'll miss every summer!'

Having an allotment helps you out of that trap...

I've been at my plot most of the day and felt sad to be pulling my bean rig apart and chucking the last of the tomatoes.  Pulled up my pathetic cabbages as well.  Have got some plants coming on though, eg spinach, winter lettuce etc so it doesn't look too bad, but like you say no lushness.  Still you can't have everything  :)   All my compost bins are now crammed and I had to tie one of the lids down as it was so stuffed to the gills so lots of lovely compost to look forward to next year.  I pottered about in the shed while it was raining, had several cups of coffee, biccies and read my new Organic Gardening catalogue  :)
Turned over a bit of soil for the robin who was with me and that made me smile.  Potted up some cabbage seedlings, cleared up some rubbish and went home with celeriac and onions.  Came home and made soup and went in shower and had a look on A4A before I go to eat my soup.  Had a very peaceful day, husband at the match, and all is peace  :)

Funny i love the Autum :) its a time to start to plan for a even better year next year and there is the excitement of waiting to be able to put the first seeds of 2006 in Yayyyyyy !!
With us starting on a new lottie its a case of digging the whole lot by hand and clearing the rubbish that has been left, but even that doesnt dampen the spirit, and i had great fun planning how i will have this plot :)
Evey season has its merits to me (ok i know in odd LOL )

that's it, wardy  - deconstructing the garden just felt sad today.
my compost bins are also full - i have resorted to leaving cut plants lying on the ground - they will either become mulch or i can add them to the composter during the week sometime

I quite like this time of year from now until the new year. While it is sad to clear away all the summer stuff you get to dig....
Strange it may sound, but I consider a plot looks at its best when it has been fully dug. Nothing looks better than bare soil, no weeds etc. Therefore, today I cleared away lots of old summer plants such as tomatoes and french beans. Now I have open spaces that I can dig.   ;D ;D
I have already prepared areas where rashberries, strawberries and currents will be going in later in the winter.
If the weather stays dry tomorrow and I will start my digging of the main plot.
Happy digging everyone.
Thomas

I've got some garlic & onions waiting to go in over winter.   

What else could I plant that would survive a British winter?

CC

I too had a clean up day,  bubblewrapped the greenhouse,did more pigeon defences, put in some spring greens, sorted compost, put in onions.......must buy garlic, did weeding etc. But have to say there is still amazingly stuff there to pick that shouldn't be, Picked courgettes and runners, most unheard of in mid October for me!
Also picked brussels for tomorrow's roast, thanks to Premtals idea of growing in cut off bottles I have brussels for the first year ever! (Thank You! :-* ;D )
Also picked chard and kale, and my kind neighbour gave me some of his beetroots cos mine are tiny, his are the size of cricket balls!
Had a lovely afternoon and now have the fun thing of starting to plan where on earth I am going to put everything next year, I love Autumn in a way, I think of it as the start of next years fun!
CC  sorry I can't think of anything else that you could put in now, unless you have garden center near you that would have some brassica type things? Planted mizuna, mustard greens etc. in greenhouse border today, they would perhaps survive outside under a cloche? I am sure there will be someone on here that can give you the answer! ;D
Time for a radox bath and a glass of chardonnay with my Tuckers catalogue to dream of a more fruitful year next year! ;)

Sice time immemorial this time of year has been celebrated as a time to give thanks for the harvest safely brought in and prayers for the one to come next year. All part of that thing (which we are also ) called the cycle of life    {:¬)#

Wardy. You had a peaceful day???? Does that mean that the dog behaved ;D ;D ;D
Unfortunately haven't been able to get in garden for couple of days although the weather has been good. Had some urgent book keeping to do for a friend, his accountant wants his books but I needed to do his Vat returns before the accountant had the books. Oh well should finish tomorrow morning., then garden here I come. Lorna.

Lorna, I've never managed to see your Avatar, is there a reason for that ? I ask because I remember a post about the A4A logo which you were showing there and was thinking about ordering one.   {:¬)#

They are excellent logos Aiken!! Have recieved and done 2 lots, really easy to do, and dead chuffed with them. Go on, live dangerously!! If you PM Lorna, she will send them to you. Lottie  ;D

Going to Pre Menstrual her now  .....   :P

It has been a good harvest this year, which has been very satisfying but this time of year always feels a bit sad to me.  It is the end of the season, the time when it gets cold and dark and I can't work on my plot.  I know there are certain positive aspects to Autumn, a time to slow down a bit, have a rest, enjoy planning next years crop but I do miss the lovely activity of growing things.  

Because of the terrible wet weather we haven't been able to do anything at all this week at our plot and we still have lots to do to get our plot ready for the winter.  Still have beds not dug and areas to tidy before I feel it is ready to let it go.  busy_lizzie

Other things to sow are broadbeans, early peas (if you dont have a mouse problem )
Some winter lettuce and 'idol' cauliflower :)

Lorna   I left the dog at home while I was at the lotty and he was fine when I got back. Curled up in his bed fast asleep  :)

When he was lying there so still, did you get your hopes up?

Wardy. Things/people/dogs sometimes improve with age ;D ;D I have had terrible problems with Elsa when the fireworks start. Last night they started and I thought oh bl**dy hell. Anyhow there were a few big bangs and instead of jumping on the sofa and trying to claw through the wall she just barked. Wonderful!!!! I buzzed John to tell him, he said  "well she is going a bit deaf" (she's only six). Whatever the reason she was definately better last night.  Best wishes Lorna.

Yes, Clang  :)  I keep checking him when he's in his bed to see if he's still alive  :)
Left on his own all of half an hour today and he peed on the carpet while I was out.  He does it to annoy  ;D

I've been at the plot most of the day so OH had to stay home with the dog.  It was when he joined me on the lotty that the dog took his revenge and left a wet patch on me lounge carpet.  The little rotter.  He'd been outside most of the day with OH as he was gravelling the drive so had plenty of opportunity to widdle  >:(