It's been quite a busy few weeks in the veggie garden. The weather, as usual, has been variable from a couple of sharp frosts in September and also some extreme rainfall at times.
The rather poor crops of tatties and carrots are all now lifted and in storage. The freezer is full of soft fruit, runner beans, peas, and even cooked beetroot.
Above can be seen that despite a slow start, the patch has done quite well! The brassicas have all grown well, and that was mainly down to adding plenty of well-rotted manure before planting - and a dressing of garden lime. This is especially important in an area with acidic soils. You need to make sure, though, that you don't add lime to the ground you intend growing potatoes on next.
There are some celery plants growing under the polythene cover. This variety won't survive extreme frost so it is worth making sure they are all used up before the cold weather sets in. There are some hardy varieties though and if there is room next year, the veggie gardener might try one of the traditional red trench celeries.
Of the winter vegetables in the patch, there is a good supply of leeks, some cabbages and sprouts, sprouting broccoli for the spring and the parsnips which didn't germinate in the spring have been gradually popping up one by one so it looks like there will be more than one parsnip for the Christmas dinner.
Apple picking is halfway through, and the best ones can be stored in trays, preferably in a cool well ventillated place.