Clearing, digging and planting out

[reetnproper]

Well I've sepnt a very productive 3 hours in the garden this morning, clearing beds out, digging the spent growbag compost in, moving the Dwarf Beans into the greenhouse and planting out the Kale plants I had been growing in pots in the little greenhouse which I've been using in salads (the Kale that is and not the greenhouse ). Well ok, the latter of these is me being optimistic again but I just couldn't bring myself to compost healthy plants.

The worst part of the day, if I don't count forking over the daleks one of which has a zillion fruit flies in it - decided to leave it uncovered for half an hour so the wren could have some brunch whilst I went and had a coffee .Where was I? Oh yeah.

The worst part of the day was taking down my Cobnut plants.

I mean, I know that the leaves were yellow and mildew was forming, it's Autumn and frosts are probably just around the corner but the warm weather last week had caused the plants to throw out a whole host of flowers and there were some young fruits swelling at an impressive rate of knots and it I really don't like to 'throw' productive veg plants onto the compost.

It took a great deal of resolve and willpower, not to mention a severe talking to myself by me, to do the deed because I know that the little baby squashes would not have had the time to grow to a decent size and ripen - unless of course we're about to have the hottest Autumn on record . Still doesn't feel right though and the weather forecasters better be correct about ground frosts this week and snow soon or I'll not be happy.

Garden is looking really bare now.

Reet
x

[Florence Fennel]

You have been busy Reet and you can congratulate yourself on the clear up. Don't see a bare garden chuck, look forward to the Spring!

[northepaul]

Inspiring to hear of people clearing up and making ready for winter. Well done Reet

[Pies]

Done that my self,i ripped up one plant whilst i left another as i was a bit ill.The frosts came late and i got another small squash (2lb) now unless i need the ground i wait until the frosts come.Obviously ive removed the decent fruit

[Aberdeenplotter]

Well done you, come and do mine when you have a spare mo please

[buzzingtalk]

I have continued digging over the allotment, and am inspired by everyone having to rip down plants and being sad to see them go...as during my plot clearing this week, I chopped down some brambles and found about 20 raspberry suckers and a few gooseberry plants under them!

Back at home however, I am clinging on to the last of the tomato plants (2!) which have 4 greenish fruits on them. My outdoor chillis are looking sad and turning from a lovely dark green to a lighter shade, as the sun moves across the sky at different positions we get much less light due to overhanging buildings blocking the sun's autumn and winter path. I am slowly moving them indoors but I think they were planted too late and won't have enough light to continue growing. I am going to experiment with a few bu putting them infront of a SAD lamp though