Cats eyes for the plot?

[Green_Poppy]

Hello,

I wondered if maybe I'm being a little too enthusiastic about our new plot , but I wondered if anyone out there goes to their allotment in Autumn/Winter when it's dark? If so, how do you see? We got our plot this year and although we managed to grow a few things, we're still clearing it and getting ready for next year. I'm a bit of a weed so I only go in the morning and the evening when it's cooler and as I'm not working at the mo, any time inbetween when it's not too hot. Obviously the mornings and evenings are getting darker and soon there won't be any light at all. I was hoping to be able to go before and after work (if I get the job!!) but as we have no electricity on our site, has anyone any ideas? Thought about hooking our two boys up to some sort of bicycle A-Team type generator thingy, but they'd only complain .

[oldie]

I know a guy who has a small Honda Generator, hooks up an arc light like on road works and could work all night. Could try a Miners type hat with a light on top. Solar powered lights might work. Just make sure you have told people what you are doing otherwise you will be seeing flashing blue lights and hearing a siren.

[rustylady]

You really won't be able to get much done by artificial light, so is it worth it. Growth will be slowing down soon, so weekends should be enough to get it cleared.

[geoff]

As above, weekends should be enough from late autumn to early spring
Have you got a shed? you could leave a torch and candles there so you can tidy, brew tea and daydream. Early in the year you can pot out seeds and seedlings in the shed by artificial light

You can now get LED headtorches quite cheaply

Be careful. One of my fellow plotholders decided to check his plot and chickens one evening in winter. He thought he knew the layout well, so didn't bother with a torch, just the glimmer from distant streetlights, but he slipped on a wet muddy path and broke his pelvis

[Two_Sheds]

...soon there won't be any light at all. .

You're in Kent, not Norway. There's plenty of daylight to get things done, not that there's too much needs doing on the plot from November to March

[Green_Poppy]

Hi Everyone, thanks for all of your suggestions.

I know a guy who has a small Honda Generator, hooks up an arc light like on road works and could work all night. Solar powered lights might work.

I like the sound of that. I may see if anyone is freecycling anything like it.

Have you got a shed? you could leave a torch and candles there so you can tidy, brew tea and daydream.

Yes I'm lucky enough to have one. Aren't they a brilliant invention? And not just for men! Though I think I'm going to have to plug the rather large holes in it.

Be careful. One of my fellow plotholders decided to check his plot and chickens one evening in winter. He thought he knew the layout well, so didn't bother with a torch, just the glimmer from distant streetlights, but he slipped on a wet muddy path and broke his pelvis

Thanks for the warning. I broke my ankle very badly 3 years ago and don't want to do that again.

You're in Kent, not Norway.

I didn't mean that we'd be plunged into perpetual darkness , just that by October, it will be dark at 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening, which are the times I normally go. So if I do get a job (please!!!), I won't be able to see a thing if I were to go before and after work. I know everything slows down, but I'd like to get the raised beds and paths sorted out in the mean time. I was hoping to do a little, often, instead of a big push occasionally. I might just have to be more patient and do more dreaming til the spring.

[Two_Sheds]

by October, it will be dark at 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening, ... I'd like to get the raised beds and paths sorted out in the mean time.

You've got a month till October, no job and no kids. It's usually quite pleasant weather during September, so I would get as much done as you can now.

If you leave it until spring, when the weeds start growing again, you will have a much harder job to get on top of it.

[di]

Now's really the best time to be getting things sorted,if you spend from now & throughout winter dreaming of what you'll do come Spring,you really will have a "big push" session when all you'll really want to be doing is planting up.
Wish you luck with your job hunt,but while you're searching why not get down there during the day sometimes & try a get it ready?