The Great Autumn Clear Up - part 2.

After a few glorious days in Devon it's time to resume the story of the plot, or should that be the plot of the plot?

I feel very pleased with myself having actually cycled there today, bringing produce back in my rucksack.

This little fellow (I think it's a she) was enjoying an old flower pot. It is Araneus diadematus and is one of the most common and best known orb weavers. It is easily identified by the distinctive white cross on the abdomen (although in some specimens it is indistinct or missing). This spider is most commonly called in England the 'garden spider', it is also known as the cross spider. They are common in woodlands, heathlands and gardens. They build circular orb webs and can be found either sitting at the center of the web with facing down or in a retreat at the end of a signal line a short distance from the web itself.

Are you impressed?

Most of the beans have been taken down now, which opens up the view again:

I also removed the dead sweet peas from the front of the shed:

It's interesting to compare these shots with those of July, April and last October to see a full year's cycle... did I say a went round on my bike today?

The Great Autumn Clear Up - part 1.

Why part one I hear you ask? Well I expect the clear up will take some time, so it saves thinking up new titles all the time. In reality the clear up has been going on for a few weeks, but it now seems to be picking up pace. Ooh, there is another cheeky robin staring at me through the window: that has nothing to do with the post, but I thought I would tell you anyway. The robins in our garden are very territorial and the blue tits, coat tits, great tits and dunnocks all cower in fear, knowing the robin will soon chase them away. This has nothing to do with the allotment however. My friendly "allotment robin" didn't say hello today, perhaps he's busy chasing other wildlife away as well.

Meanwhile...

You may remember that in August (I think) I planted some second crop potatoes as an experiment. Today I gave up and dug the area over again. All the growth had died down and only about three plants had showed any promise. Well, from two rows I harvested about 6 marble sized tubers. I won't try that again. The space is two precious. Here it is freshly clearer again, waiting to be covered over for winter. (Correction, I didn't take a photo: imagine a freshly dug bit of soil. If your imagination is as fertile as the soil, your mental image will be better than a photo could be.)

I've removed all the marigolds and sunflowers from the pottager: It now looks very bare and boring. Can you spot what I'm referring to? (Aah, I can't find that photo either. Imagine more bare soil... it's like that with a cabbage and six leeks in the middle.)

So you don't feel I'm cheating, here is a view across the plot:

A week or two ago I sowed some broad beans and peas to over winter. These have come up well:

Finally, and most exciting, here is the area where the courgettes and french beans were. I'm growing cardboard boxes instead:

Universal Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• Produce of the day (in any combination)
  
• Onion
• Stock

Method:

• boil it all up
• season to taste
• blend and dilute if needed
• enjoy

Today's soup included celery, chard, carrots, onion... yum.

Dairy Entry

No photos today after the abuse from my daughter in law.

It really feels as if the season has changed properly now, and whilst it is exciting it is also a little sad that the main growing is over.

All the french beans have been removed today, and the ground forked over and covered with thick brown cardboard. Mr Robin loved this, and was always only a few feet from me gobbling up worms and insects.

The sunflowers have been removed and the stems are drying out ready for some useful purpose, whilst the sweetcorn stems have been cut into short lengths and bundled up ready for some insects to make their homes.

Runner beans are still cropping, but we'll leave most of them now to save the seeds.

I'm not impressed with the second crop of potatoes experiment. I don't think there will be a serious harvest, and I expect the frost will kill off most growth anyway.

We took home a good crop of beans, red and green cabbages, Swiss chard, carrots, and celery, all of which contributed to a very nice soup.

A walk round the plot.

Today has been a glorious Autumn day, just like the weather man predicted, for a change.

The main activity has been clearing the courgettes and transplanting some spring cabbage seedlings.

Mr Robin kept me company all afternoon, and even tidied up some of the insects inside the shed.

Here is a video just for those who asked.



One day I'll remember to turn my phone round when taking video!

The weather man was wrong again.

It was supposed to be hot and sunny today, but it is humid and wet.

As the rain descended I thought it might be time to video the evidence:

I had once again attacked the old tree stump....at long last it's out:

I made two new friends today, Dave and Robin. I didn't photo Dave:

Update

I've been told off for not keeping everyone informed of life on the plot for a week or so. In reality there isn't a lot to tell. There is a lot of growth, more beans, courgettes, cabbages, cauliflowers etc.

A few things are starting to die down.

Leeks are being lifted sparingly... I want to ensure there are still some for winter. Sprouts are starting to form. Broccoli (Romanesco) are also showing good heads.

Oh yes, weeds still grow very quickly!

Next door has finally had a good clear up, but it will be interesting to see if it lasts.

At home, the great shed shift has started. The old raised bed has gone, and I'm excavating to prepare the new shed base. It's slow work.