We only paid two visits to the allotment last week and one of those was only fleeting.
Early in the week, we had been kept busy. Our fruit growing area has been somewhat neglected so we are hoping to give it a really good tidy up now that things have slowed down as far as planting and – hopefully – digging and weeding goes. There are still a few beds to clear and cover with weed control fabric and I was concentrating on these jobs whilst, Martyn made a start on the big clear up.
He started in the area alongside the greenhouse where we had a very overgrown patch of redcurrants. The bushes are very old, in fact, we inherited them when we took on this area of the plot.
We decided that the best way to gain control, even though it will mean forfeiting fruit for at least one or two years. was to cut the redcurrants hard back. This had to be done carefully as some rather vicious brambles had woven their way through the bushes.
The apple trees growing alongside the redcurrants were swathed in bindweed so this was all pulled out. It will inevitably re-establish itself so we will have to try and keep it in check. There’s still a bit of tidying up to do here before we move on to another area.
We collected a small harvest before heading home.
Our second visit, at the end of the week, was cut short when it started to rain but we managed to plant some shallot sets in the winter onion bed. We also added more garlic, as the first lot haven’t shown any signs of growth. The onions on the other hand are growing away.
When we returned home, I spent time cleaning up the rest of the harvested summer onions which are being stored in the summer house.
We also dug more carrots, this time the variety was Flakee.
Before we left, I grabbed a few pods off the Pongo dwarf beans. These will dry off and be used as seeds next year. 
The pepper plants in the home greenhouse haven’t enjoyed this summer. They have only produced small fruits. Neither the plants nor the fruits were going to do any more growing so I harvested all the peppers, sliced and froze them.
Ruby was happy that we managed to fit in our visit to Nostell. Unfortunately, the cattle have been moved into the meadow so we can no longer walk through this part of the estate. As I have mentioned previously, we don’t want to risk annoying the cows with Ruby’s presence. Notices on the gates advise you to let your dog off its lead if the cattle approach and call them back when any danger has passed. This wouldn’t work in Ruby’s case, as if she was frightened she would either hide behind us or jump into our arms. In any case, I wouldn’t want to risk putting Ruby in danger. Another reason for avoiding the meadow is that the area is littered with cowpats which makes walking unpleasant even without a doggy companion. Even after the cattle are moved out of the meadow is likely to be off our route due to the mess left behind.
The cygnets are becoming more and more independent and were spending time foraging amongst the reeds.
I expect it won’t be too long before the parent birds drive them off, although last year one young bird hung around for the winter.
The trees are now obviously entering into autumn mode and the woodland floor is becoming littered with leaves.
Finally, I used some of our homegrown vegetables in a Thai vegetable curry. Into this went our onion, carrot, red pepper, potatoes, garlic and some cauliflower that had been frozen earlier.
Another dish was a chicken casserole into which went an onion, potatoes. carrot and a parsnip from the freezer. I used sparkling apple juice instead of cider. I didn’t have any suet so didn’t make the dumplings.
I then made a turkey pasta dish that used an onion, carrot and red pepper.
That’s all for now. Until next time stay safe and well.
Our modest harvest will, hopefully, qualify me to join Harvest Monday on Dave’s Our Happy Acres post
You’ve been busy and looks like hard work! Even small harvests are appreciated late in the season.
It will be small harvest from now on, Sue but at least the freezers are fukk
I confess that weeding and cleaning up the garden is my least favorite part! I have much to do but lack the energy or desire to get to it.
I don’t mind it < Dave if the weather is dry. It's quite satisfying.
That was some job sorting those redcurrants! Bindweed and brambles sure are a curse. I’m loving that three-legged carrot.Always a pleasure to catch up with the cygnets. Tasty looking meals.xxx
There is still plenty more to do, Dina if the weather plays ball.
Also a bit of bindweed and some brambles here which come over from next door’s garden, which is happily rewilding itself. Their grapevine is so vigorous it has pretty much crossed the width of their garden, it’s astonishing. The wildlife of course love it all. Bertie doesn’t do well with cows, he is terrified of them and has to be carried past. Your tomatoes have done well outside at the plot. I decided not to grow any this year because they don’t always like it outdoors. I think I’ll probably grow at least some Sungold next year though, which are the most reliable for me.
Bindweed is very aptly named CJ, we get it and bramble in the garden too. Grapevines do need a lot of control. I cut ours hard every year bit still need to cut loads off during the summer. The cows are enlosed behinf an electric fence and Ruby stares at the as we walk by but if one turns and look at her she quickly gets as far away as her lead allows. We grew moatly Crimson Crush outside as it is blight resistant although that wasn’t a problem this year.
It’s good to get as many jobs done and out of the way at this time of year so that we’re not playing catch up in spring.
It certainly is, Jo
Brambles and Bindweed! I have a constant battle with both. Bramble clearing is the hour in which you discover there is no such thing as thorn proof gloves. My G.Grandfather called bindweed “the devil’s guts” Even the tiniest piece left behind will regenerate.
Your G Grandfather named it well Debbie. Experts always satyou much remove every tiny piece of bindweed – I wonder whether they have actually tried – it’s impossible