Summer over. Over Winter.

We've learned a few lessons this year, and that's without the benefit of a gardening course. As far as learning curves go, this one is long, but never dull. It is still good however, to be working this plot with my neighbour, as it means the plot is always an enjoyable job to be done, rather than another discarded hobby, left to the weeds of demotivation. It makes finding a pristine, unbroken full sized bath at the top of our allotment a fun discovery instead of just a practical one. I would always recommend sharing a plot now.

The second installment of my gardening course at Meersbrook park had a more promising turnout, but it poured it down all day, so we stayed under cover and discussed the merits of artificial compost. I still don't know what the benefits of artificial composting are, as apparently I can't buy the raw ingredients (Coir anyone?) nearby anyway. I can order it online though. I need to look into this, because it is used as an alternative to peat, but I haven't yet researched how much peat there is in the bags of compost you can buy anywhere.

I also now know, that if I'm going to make some up, I'll need sand, especially in the newly acquired carrot bath. Our carrots are lovely (albeit small) this year, grown in home-made and reclaimed boxes (due to clay soil and carrot fly larvae), but they were grown in small receptacles, so we could get a larger crop next year.

We've sown mustard and rye, and will sow field beans for our green manure. We've now put our alliums in, for over wintering. Our red onions failed last year. We think we planted them too deep, but we also reckon the packets come with different instructions every time (that's our excuse). Our courgettes are finished now, but were one of our great successes along with the potatoes. The peas were great too. The brassicas are coming along, and as by all accounts the squashes must come out now, we might have to pick our small fist sized ones, even though it's still a healthy looking plant with lots of flowers still on it. Any advice?