September – Sunshine & Tomatoes – Steph’s Allotment

As the signs of Autumn start to appear I find myself slowing down and enjoying the changes in the season. Warm sunny days have arrived and so have lots more tomatoes!

It’s quite amazing how well the plot has looked after itself this year. I’ve very much left it to its own devices and its worked out pretty well. What’s been most surprising and actually really lovely is the sheer number of pollinators going about their day every time I visit. Bees and butterflies galore and I even spotted my first dragonfly on the plot!

Harvests have been coming in nicely and can you believe I actually found some carrots that survived the slugs and grew! Lovely little Chantenay Red Cored which are short rooted carrots but absolutely delicious!

I’ve also found a new love for cut flowers and I plan on growing a lot more next year.

We’ve enjoyed getting out walking more this month too. Autumn walks are my favourite. Sunrise and sunset are much easier to catch now. There’s also something about walking in the country and seeing the seasons change. The change in the leaves, the temperatures and the streams and rivers. It’s a really special tie of year for exploring.

We’re very fortunate to have the Yorkshire Dales on our doorstep and the Yorkshire Moors just a little further.

Mid month we had the wonderful Harrogate Autumn Flower Show at Newby Hall & Gardens, my favourite local show. The veg tent of course was my first port of call followed by the floral marquee. I love the idea of entering a show but the pressure of producing something so perfect puts me off a little. Maybe one year…

I’ve decided to try growing green manures in a few of the empty beds over winter. Apart from onions & garlic in 2 of the beds the rest will all be empty so it will be interesting to see if green manures make much of a difference. I’m hoping they will as I know bare soil is very much unhappy soil.

September is a great month for dividing herbaceous perennials so I’ve been busy turning my two biggest geraniums into several geraniums. I actually managed to get 14 new plants from two established clumps!

As well as geraniums I’ve also split my Penstemon and relocated a few other plants whilst tidying the garden borders.

As the weather changes I’ve found myself a new hobby that I can do indoors where it’s nice and cosy. I’ve always been quite creative and artsy but I haven’t painted since I was at school! I’m trying my hand at watercolour and I am loving it. There’s something very relaxing about watercolour painting. I’m hoping to paint some Christmas cards this year and perhaps a few other cards too.

And whilst I’m cosy indoors painting I’ve been making sure to keep my feathered friends well fed too. I’ve been using a special seasonal blend of food from A Little Bird co which the birds just love! It’s tailored to suit their needs at different stages of the year so currently there is plenty of high-energy foods to support their feather regrowth after they finish their moult.