Sandgate Community Garden Team Diary Entry for 29th September: Limboing squash eating cows alert.
The predictions for the weather this week were spot on – cooler, and plenty of rain giving localised showers. Parts of the country are flooded, so we have come off lightly so far; however it has had an effect on the tasks. We were rained off on our Wednesday session, and although it was just showery and windy, a decision had to be made to cancel or get wet, and with no shelter for us, we decided to cancel. A quick check was made of the netting and plants, to ensure all was well until the next session.
One of our tasks was to collect the squashes just in case anything happened to them, although not sure quite what, and suspect it was a reaction to the fact that the other plot some of us work on at Pent Farm had a visit from the cows in the field next door. Having ‘limboed’ under their electric fence they took a shine to the squash patch and proceeded to trample and eat the plants until the farmer spotted them – somewhat too late. So we collected up the squashes at Enbrook Park, grateful that there is little we have to worry about as regards marauding animals really.
During the Saturday morning session, the weather was absolutely beautiful, starting off cold and crisp but warming up quickly with wall to wall sunshine. However we were short of gardeners for various reasons, so the two of us that did turn up decided to simply pull up a chair in the sunshine and enjoy being in the garden and just chat.
The change in the season has meant that with the shorter days, the growth is slowing right down, and with most of our autumn and winter crops already planted, the pace can slow down too. We have a few more French radish plugs to plant next week, but not much else will follow until we sow and plant the broad beans sometime in October/November. With the urgency gone, taking time out to simply sit is a luxury we can afford – and very good it was too!
Most things seems to be growing reasonably well, however the leeks have hardly shifted at all these past few weeks and are still quite small, but the mustard plants are looking good as are the winter radishes and the purple sprouting now desperately trying to get out of their netting.
With all the tomatoes removed last week, there has been a great flurry of activity from some members being creative with the green fruits, making chutneys and sharing recipes for other dishes. Unused green tomatoes have been left to ripen by themselves in various bowls and trays around our houses and shared out or made into all sorts of culinary delights. The tomato season is now at an end and it will be many months before we get to sample them again fresh from the vine.
What’s Next?
We still have all the tasks from last week to complete:
- Clear the path to the bench
- Clear the squash plants and bolted lettuces away
- Put fresh compost down on the empty plots
- Plant out the French radish plugs
This weeks update from the Sandgate Community Garden Diary.