There's a feeling of autumn in the air. Cooler nights and golden brown foliage foretell that the seasons are turning and with the clocks changing this weekend the dark evenings are with us again! Such short days to get the outside work done!
The grass which has kept on growing because it has been so wet and mild needs cutting for a final time before winter arrives, all the potatoes are up and stored, beans are coming to an end now and will need taking up so the next years rotation, the autumn sown onions can be planted. We are picking excellent brassicas, including autumn cauliflowers, and the kale is fabulous this year.
Seed has been saved from all our heritage tomatoes for next year and from all the beans and peas.
This year we resolved to grow lots more in the polytunnels for winter and early spring production and we have already sown mangetout peas, spinach, winter lettuce and oriental salad leaves, carrots, broad beans and dwarf french beans. Our weather patterns, altered as they are now by climate change, make it increasingly difficult to achieve results outside due to cold, wet and sunless conditions, which in turn affects the pollinator insects (which are already suffering from pesticide poisoning!) and without the indoor crops we would be unlikely to be able to grow enough produce! A very sobering thought!!
