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Rochford Allotment Association
Past Thoughts: The Allotment Year Winds Down: November 2012
Having observed the allotments a number of times this year, we felt it was only appropriate to bring one last glance as the year draws near an end when, even now, some are getting ready for the year ahead.
I wandered lonely as a cloud, but unlike Wordsworth I didn’t come across a host of golden daffodils. This is Autumn, the time when the allotments can take on a rather haphazard, uncared for look as we take a breather....
Sweet Landscape
As I wheel my barrow of opiate waste across the sweet end-of-season land,
The natural hearth burnishes the tawny colours of fallen leaves which lick at my rubber soles,
And colours the uncarded clouds ready for toasting as they process languidly through the streaked sky.
Before me the steamy sugar-cinnamon of decaying leaves,
The dead children of the trees lit in golden light, the naked spectators of my work.
The smell and taste of these rotting bodies tangs in my nostrils and on my tongue as I spread them across the silent soil.
The steam from this winter coat streams upwards and along with the rich pink clouds above:
Motion over calm
I return in my own old brown coat, steaming myself in the fresh late-day air.
(Sorry, we don’t know which poet penned these lines but they seemed apt for this time of the year)
As I wheel my barrow of opiate waste across the sweet end-
And colours the uncarded clouds ready for toasting as they process languidly through the streaked sky.
Before me the steamy sugar-
The smell and taste of these rotting bodies tangs in my nostrils and on my tongue as I spread them across the silent soil.
The steam from this winter coat streams upwards and along with the rich pink clouds above:
Motion over calm
I return in my own old brown coat, steaming myself in the fresh late-
(Sorry, we don’t know which poet penned these lines but they seemed apt for this time of the year)
....you turn your back for three weeks and weeds appear from no where and then a neighbour’s plot puts yours to shame..... but mine was like this just a month ago... where’s my fork, I’m not having this.....
... yet others have even more back breaking work to do .... while others have put the hours in already and it’s starting to look good......
And for those who NEED a touch of colour, a glimpse of the other side of the world where these colours are NOW....
... perhaps not so different from ours on a sunny day.....
And words of encouragement from www.allotment.org.uk
In spite of the likely cold and wet weather, some vegetables can be sown at this time of year – garlic and early peas and broad beans for example. There are still winter-hardy crops to harvest and enjoy. The winter solstice (the shortest day) occurs on or around 21 December, marking the end of one growing year and the beginning of the next – make time to plan for the coming year.
If you haven't done so, wash down the greenhouse/cold frame inside and out.
Thoroughly wash seeds trays, modules and pots, so that they're ready for the new growing season.
Tidy up the vegetable beds, removing any old crops and debris.
Continue soil preparation – digging existing and new ground, and manuring as required, when the weather is fine, but don't dig when the soil is very wet.
Check over your tools and make any repairs or plan replacements. This is also a good time to service any powered machinery, such as rotavators.
Any mild winter weather offers a good opportunity to plan and work on construction jobs in your plot.
Make regular checks of your stored vegetables, and remove any showing signs of rotting.
Most of all, use this time to plan ahead for next year. Read through your gardening diary as a reminder of what worked well for you, and what didn't. Make a list of what you want to grow, check out the seed catalogues and place your orders. You might also want to consider ordering composts and the like.
In spite of the likely cold and wet weather, some vegetables can be sown at this time of year – garlic and early peas and broad beans for example. There are still winter-
If you haven't done so, wash down the greenhouse/cold frame inside and out.
Thoroughly wash seeds trays, modules and pots, so that they're ready for the new growing season.
Tidy up the vegetable beds, removing any old crops and debris.
Continue soil preparation – digging existing and new ground, and manuring as required, when the weather is fine, but don't dig when the soil is very wet.
Check over your tools and make any repairs or plan replacements. This is also a good time to service any powered machinery, such as rotavators.
Any mild winter weather offers a good opportunity to plan and work on construction jobs in your plot.
Make regular checks of your stored vegetables, and remove any showing signs of rotting.
Most of all, use this time to plan ahead for next year. Read through your gardening diary as a reminder of what worked well for you, and what didn't. Make a list of what you want to grow, check out the seed catalogues and place your orders. You might also want to consider ordering composts and the like.
... and yet some are!
... but even they are behind that one with it all planted out already! That is the challenge of gardening next to others... and the fun ..... so as I said, where’s my fork; let’s get this done before the snow comes.
