30 September - Brief Encounter

This weekend we were very busy with matters arboreal at the bottom of our garden, so our visit to the plot was brief, though productive. We had hoped to get some Hertfordshire compost from the recycling centre, but unfortunately (or, looking at the bigger picture, fortunately) they were sold out. We wheedled another pallet from the nice recycling folk, to add to the one we got from the Radlett hardware store yesterday, on a separate mission. Two pallets - schweet. Instead, we opted for 3 large bags of all purpose compost and ditto farmyard manure from Homebase. Interestingly, the latter was pong-free. This was to dig into our new bed, to prepare it for the growing season ahead, and to give our spring cabbage seedlings and onions the best possible start. It didn't take long, and now looks thoroughly dug and ready for anything.

More raspberries have appeared - and instantly consumed. We cannot help ourselves. The celery still appears to be thriving, but is still not ready for proper eating. The brussels sprout plant is doing great guns and we already think of Christmas dinner (even though I hate sprouts). The peas are beginning to look tired and a bit blit by something, though we took some home to have with dinner. We also had the first of the speedy leeks - akin to a spring onion, they are feisty and tasty and can be eaten raw.

The 5 remaining pumpkins are looking good and are probably feeling the benefit of the pruning the plant was given recently. In response to the changing season, the plant is now looking decidedly sleepy and is not putting out any new tendrils. Once it has done its bit, we will move the mound of soil about to put into one of the new beds (once dug).

The spring cabbage seedlings sown directly into the soil last week have come up. We worry about slugs. The onion seedlings appear to be happy but the cabbages we had sown into peat pots less so, most of which appear to have been eaten. We still think there will be enough for our new dug bed.

On the way out, we bump into someone who used to work at the same place as us a few years back who has a plot at the front of the allotment. It is a small world we think - as is the allotment. His was a cautionary tale - having managed to quash all weeds, he left it alone for 6 weeks and has just come back to a mini-jungle. The weeds are currently in the driving seat, but we hope not for long.

Weather note: some rain during the week, sunny and cloudy. Something for everyone. It is starting to feel less summery and the allotment overall is beginning to assume a slightly dishevelled look. Bit like us really.