Autumn

I don't know what the weather is like with you but it's been a bit dreich so far in Galloway and we've had 61.2mm of rain so far this month at GCHQ! You can't do anything outside in the garden as everywhere is so saturated. So off to the greenhouses it was at the weekend as at least it is dry and wind proof inside them.

 

When we erected greenhouse number 2, we planted a vine in it (roots outside, structure inside) and oh my, it is unbelievable the amount of grapes it produced this summer. Now I can provide lots of advice on chillies and herbs but what do you do with a vine once you have taken all the fruit of it? Thankfully Gill from Halfmoon Gardens was on hand to offer advice and help. It's great that the many small gardening businesses in this area help one another out and I was grateful for Gill to show me what to do. So, vine is now pruned, greenhouse has been cleared and some winter greens planted. 

 

I then moved on to greenhouse number four where the tomato plants needed clearing away and a raised bed put in, again for some winter growing. Unfortunately the tomato plants were having none of this. Not only were there still lots of tomatoes but the plants were still flowering too. It might be really wet in Galloway but it is still extremly mild for this time of year. The tomatoes were therefore only partly removed and then my ad hoc raised bed was put in. Always one for recycling, I have put in unwanted empty livestock mineral tubs from a neighbouring farm, added the Dalefoot Compost for Tomatoes from the discarded plants and one ad hoc raised bed system is in place to see me through the winter months. Don't you just love #GreenGardening.