Well, another month bites the dust – and what a month. Best September for a long time don’t you agree. I have been trying to get everything in order before the weather turns nasty – which it is bound to do – no matter how much we don’t want it too. But there is still a lot to do and only so many daylight hours to do it in – but I’ll get there somehow.
The cabbages that just survived the slug attacks
Trouble is, everything is still growing and producing, so there hasn’t been a chance to get the beds cleared and replanted – so I have been using the troughs as a sort of holding area. The courgettes are still going bananas, as are the summer squash, and even though I am sick of the sight of them I haven’t the heart to pull them out when they look so healthy – I’m just going to have to wait for the first frosts.
Summer squash propped up by a crate so I could get down the path
I have pulled up all the bean plants now, and kept the big bulgy beans for next years seed of both the runners and the French beans. The parsnip foliage has grown so lush that it is swamping everything else – so next year I am going to have a good think about where to put them – possibly in bottomless florists buckets as they worked well last year, and keep them in the now defunct flower border, even though it is possibly a bit too shady for them – we’ll see. It’s all a bit of a juggling act.
One psb plant dwarfing the short curly kale
More psb plants in the border that desperately needs the forget-me-nots weeded out
The psb plants weren’t touched by the cabbage whites this year for some reason so they are growing big and strong, the kale which was kept under cover looks pretty healthy too, a bit shorter than normal but that’s probably because I didn’t plant them till late. Just waiting for space to put the black kale in once the courgettes have finished.
Parsnips, leeks, chard, spinach and spindly cabbages
The leeks are looking a bit pathetic but they were transplanted late as well, there’s always time for them to catch up. And that’s about it – the winter onions are sprouting nicely, but the cabbages suffered from slugs, even though they were covered and pelleted, hopefully they’ll make a full recovery and begin to heart up a bit.
Cold frame with florists buckets of beetroot, carrot, chard and spinach
Troughs with winter onions, the last of the French beans and rainbow chard – the beans will be pulled and replaced with something else, not quite sure what yet.
I still have a few outdoor Sungold to pick but they are almost over – I never thought I would be saying that it has been a great year for tomatoes!
So, that’s my September roundup – not bad considering it hasn’t rained properly for weeks. How does your garden grow?
My Goodness, this time of year is a real juggling act - almost as frenetic as the Spring! Your squashes look remarkably healthy considering it's October - no mildew at all by the look of it. My Parsnips have developed exceptionally luxuriant foliage this year too. I just hope the roots are in similar proportions. Do they grow well in the bottomless florists' buckets then? Do you place them over open soil so that the roots can go deep, or what?
ReplyDeleteI grew the parsnips in the bottomless buckets last year and they did very well - about half a dozen seeds to a bucket and yes then they are placed on the soil - it means you can get more from a small space and the bucket provides as nice clean run for the roots.
DeleteI like your bucket of plants growing in the cold frame. Looks attractive and a great idea to put the cold frame to good use. I would say it will be a late year in terms of clearing beds and tidying up.
ReplyDeleteThe cold frame has come in handy for the buckets and if it gets frosty they have some protection as well.
DeleteIt's been a great September, but it's held me back really as everything's still growing and I can't get on with the autumn clear up. My summer squash, like yours, are still going mad. Freezing them didn't turn out great. I like them chopped up and roasted but they're far too mushy after freezing to cook them this way, so I've decided to eat what we can and give the rest away, no point in wasting them. I've got some winter squash so they've still to come but I'm holding off while the summer squash are still so productive. Your tomatoes still look to be doing brilliantly. I've got a couple more pickings on mine and then they'll be done.
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying this lovely weather too but it does hold you back a bit when trying to get the beds clear - but I'm not grumbling.
DeleteSeptember has been lovely, your garden has been super productive for you with much still going on. I'm clearing my summer squash away at the weekend after I remove all the new little ones first.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite pleased with what I have been able to produce - hopefully now I'm getting the hang on gardening in a small space I will have more ideas as to how I can squeeze more in.
DeleteIt really was such a good month for all of us, and as reflected in this post and the pictures.
ReplyDeleteAs you'll have seen from my blog I've done also done well, especially with sweet corn.
Flighty xx
It has made a nice change to have a good year instead of a series of disasters like normal.
DeleteIt's always good to see how other peoples produce is doing, yours is certainly thriving! It really has been a fantastic year, especially, as you say, for tomatoes....and they did take their time to ripen, but now there is no stopping them. Interesting how the whites let your plants be, I grew Kale for them and they stripped the leaves bare. Funnily enough, now the caterpillars have gone the leaves have actually grown back and the plants are better than the covered ones. Gardens sure are strange places at times, you just can't write the script!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree you think you have seen everything then it all changes the next year - it's what keeps us going I guess.
DeleteWow, you have so many amazing things still growing! It has been a bumper year for you by the looks and sounds of things. xx
ReplyDeleteNot bad at all Amy - there's always room for improvement though.
DeleteYou always seem to have young plants in your garden. I really must learn from you. I plant everything in spring and that's it. Some of my winter greens are already finished (just when I want them).
ReplyDeleteI do try to remember to do a bit of successional sowing - it prolongs the season a bit.
DeleteYou are still managing to grow plenty to eat despite your reduced capacity.
ReplyDeleteOut onions are just in so I hope that they manage to get going. They were slower to appear at the garden centre this year.
It can be frustrating though Sue - but hey you just have to work with what you've got.
DeleteSo much to do so little time ... still I mustn't grumble as it is this lovely weather which is prolonging it all ! You still have so much going on in your garden and it looks very productive !
ReplyDeleteI seem to be outside every spare moment - the good weather has made such a difference - it's a pleasure to be out there.
DeleteGosh your garden is really thriving and looking so green, even with the lack of rain. Yes this weather can't go on for much longer I agree. Hoping to get back to bloggng very soon and keeping in touch.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
This morning I woke up to pouring rain but yesterday was gorgeous - still loads more jobs to tackle though. It seems like you have been away for ages Patricia - it will be hard to get back into the flow no doubt.
DeleteIt certainly has been the best September for years Elaine and has more than made us for the dreadful August we had. Looks as if the weather is changing tonight so a rush here too to get things done but still as always there's much still to do. Like you I'm sick of the site of courgettes but whilst they are still producing I can't possibly pull them out can I?
ReplyDeleteI pulled my courgettes out yesterday - I needed the space. I harvested all the courgettes that were left and dozens of summer squash too. That's it for another year, thank goodness.
DeleteThank you.
ReplyDelete