Saturday 17 November 2012

Autumn Reflections

I like autumn - Once plant production shuts down, you have so much more time...  for planning.

There's a show of colour put on by nature that rivals any firework display::

Autumn variagation

Then out of the blue this Calendula by our front gate put on a last gasp effort! 

Better late than never

As the weeds have stopped growing too and the evenings are dark there's time to pore over the seed catalogues and to plan for next year.  This year was wet, cold, plagued by slugs and bugs, blighted (literally) and, all in all, a disappointment.... But next year is immune from all these disasters as you flick through the brochures.

Stepping back from the dilemma of choosing which sort of courgette to grow next year, there are more general strategy decisions:  Am I growing to save cash, to get that flavour that money can't buy (carrots), or that unavailable vegetable (turnip rooted chervil), to increase biodiversity with some heirloom varieties (that will probably have a very poor yield)? Grow native plants to encourage wildlife?    Am I growing as wide a variety of different veg and experimenting just for the heck of it? Guess what, I'm planning to do all these things!  And so far none of my plans have been thwarted!

Next to move from planning to preparation.  An allotment keeps you going the whole year round.

4 comments:

  1. And so are we, Mal - just need the weather to co-operate next year!

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  2. This post made me smile. Just got the first seed catalogue and started my list too. Your comments about why are you growing, so so true. Adjust the sails each year and learn from the last.

    Next year IS IMMUNE from all disasters!! absolutely.

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  3. I haven't even started to think about what I will be growing next year - time to get the seed packets out and see what I need for next year I think - thanks for the reminder.

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  4. I have my catalogue ready and waiting and will be ordering before the end of the month. A little more land this year by way of a friend is going to give me a chance to play with a few more varieties that I would normally try due to lack of space...2013 is going to be the year for growing your own!!!!!!

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