Yesterday was a very, very sad day . . .
I'll try to remember to take and post a photo later. It is too dark at the moment.
The tomato bed is no more - well, the bed is but the plants are now in the bin. The tomatoes weren't ripening any more and there were a few signs of end of season deterioration - sort of blightish but slow moving - so I had the lot out, sorted out the usable fruit, shoved the remainder in the bin (not the compost, just in case), cleared the bed completely of weeds and dropped tomatoes, and all the canes, wire ties, etc, are safely away until next year.
I will feed the soil today with chicken manure pellets and soul from the compost, and clear any weeds as they come up. In a few weeks I will maybe cover the soil but maybe not, I'll see how it goes.
Is there anything I could grow now to produce over winter? Do any of you know?
Is there anything I could grow now to produce over winter? Do any of you know?
Anyway - I look at the bed and feel sad. It's been such a great year for tomatoes.
Beth came over to me rather than me going to hers. Annoyingly, her washing machine is playing silly sausages so she brought a pile over here. She took the fist lot home, the second lot dried overnight and the last pile is just finishing. I'll take it over later today.
It was a good opportunity to have a nice chat. It's her birthday next Monday and originally we were going to have lunch out but the next day we are eating out with Julia and Linda so we decided to have a coffee in John Lewis and then do some window shopping instead of lunch. That'll be fun.
It was a good opportunity to have a nice chat. It's her birthday next Monday and originally we were going to have lunch out but the next day we are eating out with Julia and Linda so we decided to have a coffee in John Lewis and then do some window shopping instead of lunch. That'll be fun.
Today I don't exactly feel sad but can't quite think of the word. Today was my lovely Mum's birthday.
Usually, today I would be making the Christmas cake which Mum always did on her birthday but this year there's no Christmas cake. I will be away, Beth and Alex will just be two and we agreed that it wouldn't be a great use of money. If they fancy something, they can buy a little slab cake or make a tea loaf or something like that.
Not to worry, there's always next year.
Usually, today I would be making the Christmas cake which Mum always did on her birthday but this year there's no Christmas cake. I will be away, Beth and Alex will just be two and we agreed that it wouldn't be a great use of money. If they fancy something, they can buy a little slab cake or make a tea loaf or something like that.
Not to worry, there's always next year.
Have a lovely day, everyone. Stay warm. xx
Once again Joy I find myself completely understanding how that all must be feeling.
ReplyDeleteDespite the summer drought I managed to grow some lovely Cosmos., Although still flowering I had to clear them out, we’re expecting bad weather and have already had a frost……as I was wheel barrowing another load to the compost I noticed a bee buried in one of the flowers , oblivious to anything else other than it’s task…….somehow it made me feel a bit sad………I made sure I didn’t bury it in the compost pile of course.
I will make a very modest Christmas cake this year or may even buy a small one, the price of ingredients is so high isn’t it?
Alison in Devon x
PS what did you think of Strictly this week?
But an uncut Christmas cake is such a treat in darkest January! I won’t be making one either this year - I really can’t afford the calories - but I’ll miss the making and feeding of it. Such a part of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAnna.
It's been a great year for your tomatoes. And although it does look rather bare just now, think of it as preparing the bed for next season.
ReplyDeleteSending love today, Joy. It's times like this when grief catches you off-guard. Mine is when I used to make marmalade in January. It doesn't feel the same since my dad passed away. He always used to like my marmalade the best - I think it was the brandy that I put in it ;)
My pots and beds look equally bare but now I must look for some winter pansies to add some brightness. Catriona
ReplyDeleteYou are ahead of the game, having your garden ready for winter. I don't make a Christmas cake but have started my list for what I need for the Christmas plum pudding. I usually make it in November.
ReplyDeleteSlowly but surely getting the garden here ready for winter. We had rain so now the cushions and such need to dry before putting away.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.