Autumn Ecquinox

The day is as long as the night.  The Ecquinox is the first sign that winter is on its way.  Got help today on the allotment from young nimble who helped out by eating some of the raspberries, apples and blackberries.  There were lots of blackberries picked which will go in the same pie as the rhubard.

The quince tree seems to be doing well and has four fruits on it.  Can't wait to taste them later in the year.

All the helpers testing the autumn flowering raspberries.  Little nimble can be seen, just!  Gorgeous day today and the allotment looks really good.  I'm looking forward to the winter and I hope there is some very cold weather and perhaps some snow.

Barmy September

Today I spent most of my time down the plot weeding in one form or another.  This is because I've not been keeping on top of those small jobs, so now everything has piled up.  However, two hours in and I could see a difference.  I was very cautious about mowing as I could see tiny little frogs in the grass up by the tiny pond, so I walked around slowly and carefully in the hope that they would move into the long grass.  I saw a very large toad sheltering amongst the raspberry canes last week.  Frightenend the life out of me when he jumped.  He was more yellow than green and about a large as my hand.  I was quite intimidated and walked the long way round so as not to disturb him.

I've thinned the raspberry canes and weeded the borders, cleared around the two apple trees and found a fungus or mold growing on the egremont.  It's rained so much this year that I am hoping it will be a very cold winter so that some of the mold and bacteria gets knocked off.   It's great having good neighbours on the plot especially when they plant these wonderful giant sunflowers.