Not a large harvest again as we have been out and about again and the days when we were free to go to the plot, the weather hasn't been encouraging.
We are carrying out some major clearance and tidying work on the plot which meant we ended up with quite a heap of debris.
We are carrying out some major clearance and tidying work on the plot which meant we ended up with quite a heap of debris.
Our allotment rules state that we can only light bonfires an hour before dusk so as not to upset the neighbours or other plot holders. As, here in the UK, our clock were moved back one hour at the end of October meaning dusk moved forward an hour. Whilst the weather remained dry, on Monday we took the opportunity and the fact that Bonfire Night was close by to burn as much as we could.
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| 31 October |
Monday was also Halloween and so it wasn't without considerable risk that we remained at the plot after dark.
I guess this may well be the last if the plot flowers too. The dahlia will definitely have been cut back by the frost.
This time I didn't dry the leaves before chopping and the frozen parsley did form cubes but the problem was that the cubes wouldn't come out of the ice cube trays easily. Still, never mind, I have some frozen parsley even if it isn't in cubes.
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It's nice when stuff for the bonfire is dry isn't it. Often at this time of year everything seems to be wet the whole time. There's been a distinct lack of rain though, and I can't see much forecast in the next ten days either. Lovely that you still have little strawberries and flowers. I noticed that the touch of frost here the other night withered the petals on some of the cosmos. Still lots of buds though and even the occasional bee so I shall leave well alone.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't been to the plot since we had a frost, CJ so don't know what the damage is yet.
DeleteStill lots of busy-ness going on there. Love the bouquet! And yum-strawberries!
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific week, Sue
We just need some busy-ness weather, Sue.
DeleteMike treated himself to a bonfire yesterday. He found it very satisfying though got carried away and burnt my sweet pea frame! x
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about boys and fires, Jo?
DeleteBonfires! Scary thought here, especially after watching the wilderness burn for nearly 3 months recently. More lovely quince and look at that cauliflower - wonderful. Beautiful flowers too.
ReplyDeleteI can understand your feelings about bonfires, Michelle.
DeleteHaven't had a bonfire for ages - nowhere to have one now we've got nearly all the garden straightened up.
ReplyDeleteWe would have nowhere suitable in our garden either, Jayne. On the plot at least we have beds cleared of crops at this time of year.
DeleteThose calendulas are indeed gorgeous - love the buttery yellow. We will be having a bonfire soon too - I have several huge bags of tomato debris waiting to be incinerated :)
ReplyDeleteI just hope the seeds from them come true to their colour, Margaret.
DeleteLove the purple, yellow and white of the flowers.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried lightly oiling the trays before freezing the parsley? Works for me.
I'll try that next time, Deborah, thanks.
DeleteLove the flowers!
ReplyDeleteThanks tpals.
DeleteYour cut flowers have been a big success, how lovely to still be bringing such a variety home at this time of year. Mick's uncle is keeping my vases full of chrysanthemums at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI love chrysanthemums at this time of year, Jo. I don't know whether any cosmos will have survived the frosty weather.
DeleteThe flowers are lovely! Dr TR on the ice cube issue, I have heard that you can oil the cubes thingy first but I bought a silicon ice cube thing from Track in the summer.
ReplyDeleteAre things easier to remove from silicon trays, L? The thing is that if they take too long to remove the herbs thaw.
DeleteThe silicon ones are "bendy" so easy to empty. The normal ones with removal grids are fine but the rigid plastic ones tend to snap unless rinsed with lots of water. Listen to me! I should get a life.
DeleteI save seeds from our calendula but I have to say the volunteers seem to do better than one I sow. And it takes a dedicated gardener to pick strawberries in the dark!
ReplyDeleteOr a dedicated strawberry eater, Dave.
DeleteAutumn bonfires are the best! Your flowers are so beautiful and perfect. I'm impressed that there's not a single nibbled on petal. And that sounds like a challenge to pick strawberries in the dark, but I'm sure they are worth it!
ReplyDeleteI did pick the best of flowers to bring inside, Julie. I must say though any flowers that were damaged outside seemed to have been damaged by the weather rather than anything nibbling at the petals.
DeleteThere are still handful of harvest! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou have rules for bonfire?
Happy Halloween!
We do on the allotment, Malar. We rent the plot from the council and they set the rules so that any neighbouring houses are not bothered by the fires too much.
DeleteAll looking so nice ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Summer.
DeleteThat's an interesting rule about when you can have bonfires Sue. No such regulations on our site but the majority of plot holders are considerate as to when they burn. I smiled at the thought of Martin phoning you so that he could locate you in the dark. What variety is your quince and how long has it taken to provide you with so many quinces?
ReplyDeleteThe quince is Meeches Prolific, Anna. We planted it in March 2010. This is its best year. We harvested some fruit in its first year and in 2013 it produced a reasonable crop. It had a good crop last year too. Just one poor year in 2014 when it produced lots of fruit but they had bitter pit. It's a pretty tree when it is in flower.
DeleteStrawberries this time of year, wonderful.
ReplyDeleteProbably no more now Brian as the flowers will have been frosted. The alpine strawberries usually fruit until the beginning of November.
Delete