what jobs should we be doing now?

[roadkill]

what should we be doing at this time of the year? i end up spending most my time at the plot building bonfires to keep wam and talking to the other plot holders and before i know it , its time to come home lol

[nick the grief]

Hi Roadkill,

Sounds like a plan to me. I suggest you get a few tea breaks in there as well

Serioulsy, it depends on what you want. If you're growing over wintering stuff then it's just general maintenance ( weeding etc) You can still plant garlic, broad beans for over wintering under cloches or fleece, maybe even some japanese onions if your quick. Failing that it's just a case of getting ready for next year - compiling seed lists, digging (add manure where it's needed).

Where the digging is concerned, don't try and do it all at once. If you can get down there a couple of times a week & only do 1 or 2 rows it will soon get done.

I've got a book called The Allotment Handbook by Caroline Foley thats quite good I think it's about £10 but mine was a pressie of the young Griefs - I think they got it from one of the cheapo bookshops

Hope that helps

[Earthbabe]

That sounds like the plan we have although the tea breaks hadn't figured quite so highly but the bonfire is a deffo.

[yoanbob]

burnt all my prunings yesterday, the amount of digging ahead is terrifying.
dont think i'll have time for t.

[Mrs Dobby]

Digging planned here too Yoanbob! Gonna try and get the largest bed done this week, there's a massage on the line for one of us if we do (OH gets it if we dont!)

[dexterdoglancashire]

(OH gets it) - OH gets the massage, Mrs D?! DDL

[Mrs Dobby]

Lol DDL! Hadnt thought it could be misconstrued! Yes, I mean OH gets the massage if we dont get it cleared! Blushing bright pink here!

[supersprout]

Socialising round the bonnie is fun - and I pick up loads of useful tips
On the list for the next few months - on a no-dig plot:

Spread pony poo
Spread straw
Plant garlic
Cut down Jerusalem artichokes
Make clamp(s) for winter veg storage
Start off hot box (late Dec) for early spuds
Tidy shed
Clean and oil tools
Plan pond
Plan planting/sowing lists

... I could go on ...

[Birdie Wife]

Repairs to raised beds, digging, worrying about frosts, more digging, laying down old carpet on unused beds to keep weeds down, turning compost heap, reading back issues on GYO for inspiration come spring, checking stored veg and removing any going rotten oh and then there's digging...

[Waffler]

Don't forget all the digging that needs to be done! LOL

[Birdie Wife]

Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder! Might forget my head if it wasn't ... bump bump bump never mind...

[Stroppy scotte]

We have just raided Wyevale for old pallets and hope to get all the edging and duckboards built!!
Don't know where to get the ducks though