It’s been a while. I blame the unrelenting hot summer and the 10 week cycle of assignment production, which is still on-going but all work and no play…

You may recall earlier in the year that I’d taken on another half plot, mostly to remove several very tall self sown alders and sycamores. That was achieved and a dead hedge constructed from the many tree branches, then the sun shone and the soil baked solid. I spent the summer mowing the weeds.

My plot neighbour, with a very well maintained plot moved to Cornwall in August and we all thought it would be a good idea to transfer from the unworked half plot to his plot. It’s a plot of raised beds and woodchip paths, the top layer of compost looked a bit thin so I put a fork in to turn it over. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that about 10cm below the beds is a tarpaulin completely covering the soil.

This bed is holding the compost removed from the two beds. I wonder if I can grow annual flowers in it next year?

I do find digging curiously therapeutic. I set myself the usual square metre per day target, and although the soil was solid, some watering and covering improved it enough for a sharp spade to get through it.

I spent all day last Monday at the plot, thoroughly incorporating garden compost and manure. The bed is going to be dahlias next year, and the two small beds will be for autumn raspberries; in the space beyond will be the fig tree from the home garden.

Who knows why my former plot neighbour thought this was a good idea. My best guess is perennial weed control; however, the bindweed and other nasties have simply colonised the woodchip paths with roots waiting patiently under the tarpaulin. Here’s the evidence:

Can any of you identify the plant/weed in the bucket, the green rounded four leaved menace – I’d assumed ground elder but the leaves appear more rounded.

Back on the original plot, I gave up trying to keep courgettes, etc alive by mid July. The dahlias and roses hung on until the rain and had their best display in October.

Cafe au lait even managed a decent bloom

The purple sprouting broccoli in the yellow cage held up well but is much happier with the current cooler weather. We seem to have ninja cabbage whites on this site – I’ve removed dozens of fat caterpillars.

These raised beds were rock hard under the layer of mulch. I loosened the soil with a fork and waited for a few downpours to turn the soil, hopefully that will let water filter down. It does seem that I need to give no-dig a rethink.

This is 2025 PSB, I may get a small crop from it. Interestingly, the cabbage whites have completely ignored it!

Did everyone have a brilliant tomato year? I didn’t, and in fact gave up in July. I was ‘influenced’ into buying smart pots (there was a reason they were half price), allegedly self-watering. Back to growbags and bottomless pots next year.

Do you see the self-sown tomato plant sprawling across the polytunnel floor? I’m picking 6 or 7 fruits a week. It isn’t watered, tied in or considered in any way. It confirms my opinion that plants are often much happier without our help!