Having been to the Malvern Show at the end of September (& I must just say right now what a fabulously wonderful day it was) – buying onion sets, garlic & some dianthus plants for the front of the plot – I just had time at the Hill to ask Novice-neighbour-Jody to put the Prize Pumpkin in for weighing in the middle of October before disappearing off on holiday for a couple of weeks.
Back home, & the weekend weather has been gorgeous with crisp sunshine bringing the autumn colours out in the trees – but of course that means that the evenings have been very chilly indeed. The courgette, squash & tomatoes seem to be hanging on for the moment, but I must make harvesting the green tomatoes for chutney a priority now.I can’t wait to have a crack at the chutney, not least because due to a timely birthday & a very thoughtful family, I am now the very proud owner of a shiny new Stellar maslin pan, jam thermometer & a heap of kilner jars all just waiting to be christened!
Despite the neglect & the cool weather, the plot is still looking pretty good – the green manure is all up in neat rows and all the ‘winter’ veg (kale, cabbage, leek & parsnip) look great and are just waiting for their turn to be picked. And better late than never, the sunflowers at the front of the plot are starting to flower & look beautiful – although a dwarf variety for the front of the plot for next time, I think!
I’ve now started to clear the black turtle & barlotti beans for podding & storing in jars and there’s also loads of runner & French bean pods left on the plants which we missed – so I think I’ll try & dry them too – lots of bean casseroles coming up in winter, I think!So there’s still plentyto keep us busy with lots of clearing & manuring to be done in the next few weeks – & of course with assessing this year & planning already in progress for next …
Yr back! good to see! I agree my plot looks good but rather bear dont ya think!! You missed the AGM, very exciting! there was fighting and arguing... no sorry, no such luck! but i am now officially a member of the committee and Ive told them to ask you as they wanted more ladies, there's currently only one, if yr interested, as a newly elected member I can sort it for you as im now very very important!! lol!
ReplyDeleteYr pumpkin looked gr8. Im not sure who has it as i had to leave early, im sure Haydn will know.
I however, am the proud owner of the ugliest pumpkin in the world, watch out on my site i intend to picture him in all his ugly glory later this week. If you ever wanted a pumpkin that will scare little children then this is the one!
anyway im off! cu at the wkend
jody
PS. ill email you the pumkin pics for yr site if you want them. give me yr email addy at the wkend.
I'm dying to hear all about the AGM, Jody - fill me in at the weekend, when I shall track down my pumpkin as I deffo want to make pumpkin soup and have a crack at pumpkin carving for Halloween!
ReplyDeleteHey - now you are an Important Person, you get to fly the 'committee members flag'?
The bare bits on your plot need covering with either a layer of manure (it'll sort itself out over winter) or sowing with green manure (depends what you're planning to put in next year) - I'm rather proud of my rows of rye, neat huh?
I'd love the pumpkin piccies - catch up with you at the weekend.