Michelle Chapman over at Veg Plotting is organising another project and once more has challenged gardeners to take a photo/photos of themselves in their gardens or on their allotments this weekend to show what is happening across the country, indeed even internationally. She organised three similar challenges earlier in the year. My contributions to earlier challenges are here , here and here.
The four projects span the four seasons and now at the meteorological start of winter there is far less activity in the garden than in the preceding seasons.
Every morning Martyn's first job of the day regardless of the weather is to refill the bird table and feeders. He also checks that the water in the bird bath isn't frozen.
The watercress in our pond has survived a couple of frosty mornings so, I am still managing to collect sprigs to add to our lunchtime sandwiches.
The gardener may be more inactive at this time of year but some plants are already busily preparing for spring. Some bulbs are pushing through and the early flowering shrubs are in bud. A few hardy individuals are still producing flowers.
With snow forecast for later in the week, on the plot the main focus for the afternoon was to dig up the frost, blackened dahlias and prepare them for winter storage.
I was hoping that there would be some chrysanthemums to cut to take back home but sadly the frosts has damaged the flowers and so we decided to cut back the plants and dig up the roots to take into the greenhouse for some protection over winter.
Our other aim was to harvest harvest winter vegetables.
We collected the usual selection of vegetables for this time of year.
What we didn't expect to find were some ripe tomatoes and red peppers hanging on the spent plants in the greenhouse.
I guess soups, stews and casseroles will feature on our menus for a while.
Time is short at the moment with darkness falling earlier and earlier, but to be honest as the light failed we were more than ready to head home to warm up.
Every morning Martyn's first job of the day regardless of the weather is to refill the bird table and feeders. He also checks that the water in the bird bath isn't frozen.
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How lovely to have fresh tomatoes and peppers in December, that must have been a real treat. It's getting colder here in London as well and with the short days I'm finding it a battle to get everything done, bearing in mind that January could be really uninviting in the garden!
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a treat, Caro. I think we will be struggling to get work done in the plot for a while now the weather is due to be set to true winter mode,
DeleteThose tomatoes and peppers look amazing - what a wonderful surprise! Our season is done and I am finally finished with my chores. I'm especially happy to be done the one that I always procrastinate on the most - disinfecting all the seeding pot and supplies.
ReplyDeleteYou really are good, Margaret we just can never face washing pots etc so we have a simple solution and just don’t do it. They get a brush out before using and that’s it.
DeletePeppers and tomatoes in December - what a pleasant surprise! I did some work repairing the cold frame covers today, since a wintry blast is forecast for later in the week. It's amazing to see bulbs poking up, since ours don't usually show until March.
ReplyDeleteThose bulbs may regret showing their noses, Dave. We are due a blast too so I need to get some things undercover.
DeleteIt's amazing how hardy some of your flowering plants are and with some of them starting to bud even. And I love how big your carrots and parsnips get. But the ripe tomatoes and peppers must have been quite a surprise.
ReplyDeleteThe shrubs on bud flower at the end of winter, Phuong. We have been disappointed with this year’s carrots. There is lots of damage to the roots but still enough on them to make digging up worthwhile especially as the taste is so good.
DeleteGreat to see there's still lots to harvest from your garden Sue... and like many others who've posted their #mygradenrightnow photos, so many stirrings ready for the spring to come. Thanks for taking part in all 4 episodes, you're a star! I've put up a proper link on my blog now :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been a good idea for a blog post, Michelle and we are less camera shy now. Martyn posted a video on his blog this morning. There wasn't time to edit it to include in #mygardenrightnow though. It's here if you are interested on this post
DeleteIt's incredible how things keep on going! I wonder if the coming northerly gales will put an end to it?
ReplyDeleteThey won't do us any favours, Deborah
DeleteWhat a cracking harvest, especially the surprise tomatoes, that must have been lovely to find. You've certainly been busy, plot is doing great. Must be good to be picking watercress too, I've noticed mine is still producing leaves after dying off earlier in the year - I grow mine in a gutter on my fence rather than a pond though!
ReplyDeleteHi GFB the tomatoes were a lovely surprise and the peppers even more so
DeleteOh, my Gosh, you harvested tomatoes in December! Sure your menu is rich of vitamins, Sue. You both working too hard, deserve good relax at warm home.
ReplyDeleteIt was a huge surprise to find ripe tomatoes and peppers, Nadezda. We do try to have a healthy diet,
DeleteGood to see you both. Your feathered friends are indeed spoilt!!! Goodness, tomatoes this late? Whatever next.xxx
ReplyDeleteAmazingly no blight this year, Dina. In winter the birds are our feathered flowers.
DeleteWhat a difference a week makes! It's too cold to be outdoors this weekend Sue although I have fed the birds. Which variety of red cabbage do you grow?
ReplyDeleteThe red cabbage is Lodero, Anna. It’s a club root resistant variety. Definitely bitterly cold this week and no gardening.
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