The November vegetable plot

Winter is always a good time to reflect on the previous years ups and downs, to review what worked and what didn't, and to plan the year ahead. Alex likes the Winter time on the allotment as it is a time where he feels he is ahead of the weeds, and the wildness of the plot. There has been huge progress on our allotment plot this year but there is still work to be done on the top half - removing unwanted trees, shrubs and brambles.

Things continue to grow, producing lovely green leaves and beautiful purple sprouting broccoli, beetroots are still to be pulled up too.

still picking Spinach and Chard

wonderful purple sprouting broccoli

beetroots to come

Then there is the promise of new things to come. Garlic and onions are planted, as are Broad beans and hardy Peas, ready for earlier harvests than those that will be sown in Spring. New seedlings are appearing in the greenhouse, ready to plant out to continue the supply of lovely leafy vegetables - Spinach, Cabbage, Cavalo Nero, Chard, Turnip Greens, Oriental Greens and Cooking Radishes are all poking their seedling heads out of the soil. Where there is soil not in use for food, green manure is growing, fertilizing and protecting this lovely brown earth.

seedlings for Winter vegetables

I love to plant from seed, to watch things grow from a tiny seed, delicately planted in some moist compost, and nurtured into a seedling, then a small plant and then planted on to produce something wonderful and organic to eat. It's also a great time to look at the life cycle of plants with Imogen. We collect seeds from many plants and dry them and store them ready to plant again, so the whole process is something she knows very well, and loves to be involved in.

So this is the work going on in our garden and allotment over the next few months, with planning next Springs adventures being done in the warmth and comfort of our home. Nothing stays still, there is always something changing and growing.

These are some of the things still coming home with us at the moment, although the tomatoes are finishing now (except the lovely plum one in the greenhouse).

San Marzano tomatoes and a chilli

And always, somewhere, the wildlife is getting a meal too

snail munching on a beetroot leaf
provided by Imogen