Last days of summer

Over the past 2 days I have spent some serious time in the garden and on the allotment. The weather has been gorgeous, today was warm, sunny and not a breath of wind.
I have mulched the garden, insulated the greenhouse and moved or wrapped anything tender. Even the fuschias are coming into full bloom again. The artichokes that I grew from seed this year have grown enormous and have now developed numerous chokes-I just hope I'll get to eat them before the frost gets them!


On the allotment-I have done some more layer mulching, planted my garlic and sown some broad beans-this is the first time I've tried over wintering beans so its a bit of an experiment!
Even the caterpillars are back for another feast on my cabbages. But the rainbow chard looks lovely lit by the autumn sun.

Progess is made-October 2006

I finally feel that progress has been made and the plot looks more like a plot. I have started layer mulching the last 2 beds-as there is little couch grass and bindweed, just the general run of the mill weeds. Found a great pile of horse muck that had rotted down well and this is now being piles onto cardboard.
I have rescued about 12 raspberry canes and some strawberry plants from an abandoned plot, not sure if its the best time for transplanting them but others seem to have done the same. Still some TLC will see them through the winter. I also moved some comfrey from said abandoned plot, so my fruit bed is now developing. I already have a gooseberry bush courtesy of mum. I also have a wonderful blackberry bush from my neighbour, they're the best berries I've ever tasted.

Permaculture Project

Over the past few months I have become increasingly interested in permaculture, so after reading a couple of books-Permaculture in a Nutshell and The Earthcare Manual both by Patrick Whitefield plus reading the Permaculture Magazine, I found myself on an introductory course down on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales for a weekend in September. I was truly inspired by all those I met-both young and more mature and all with 1 aim to help better the planet. Once home I got in touch with a local group that is in its infancy. The group has the use of a 5 acre field courtesy of an interested and supportive farmer and his family. The groups aim is to develop the site along permaculture principles and grow as much organic veg and fruit to sell to the local community both at local markets and in the farm shop. I have added some photos of the field on my first visit, there is much to be done, including renovating the old field shelter, put up a polytunnel when funds permit, layer mulch the growing beds, plant a native hedgerow and create a small forest garden. Someone is also aiming to build a round house. Ambitious or what, hopefully as the site develops I'll be able to post more photos. Keep watching.