October has arrived, bringing a lovely mix of crisp air and sunny spells. The dry half term has been very welcome as it’s so much easier to motivate yourself to get outdoors when the weather is nice. With the days shortening and the clocks changing, it feels as though every hour on the plot is precious.
With the fresh deliveries of wood chips, and after a bit of a workout with the shovel and wheelbarrow, I have laid down the pathways across the plots. There’s something satisfying about creating clear walkways that feel organised and ready for next season. It might seem like a small job, but it brings structure to the space and I’m hoping to spend less time weeding and have some protection from the mud this winter.
I’ve spent much of early October clearing down on the plot and covering the ground with mypex plastic. While it’s a bit sad to see the beds empty, I know it’ll make things so much easier come next year. I’ve learnt from last year that this needs to be really weighted down so that it doesn’t fly off as the winds pick up. We’ve also picked up on using a blowtorch to melt the edges so that it doesn’t unravel at the ends. Having cut the plastic to size for the spaces last year, I’ve folded the excess over for now and will unravel more as I dig the last few crops that remain in the ground.
One of the most delightful October rituals has been carving pumpkins with the girls. They loved scooping out the seeds and carefully crafting their designs, their hands sticky with pumpkin pulp and excitement. This year felt especially rewarding, as they were so proud to carve pumpkins they had grown themselves. Seeing them realise the full ‘seed-to-fruit’ journey was wonderful – a lesson in patience and pride. For Halloween, the pumpkins took their place outside, glowing warmly and welcoming the trick-or-treaters with a touch of homegrown magic.
We also dug up the last of the potatoes before they started sprouting again. I had flashbacks to my childhood as the girls eagerly waited with each dig, ready to spot the potatoes in the soil. They were particularly excited as the last row was pink skinned. Each potato they found felt like a mini victory! Their excitement only grew when they spotted the pink-skinned potatoes in the last row.
We are still very much enjoying fresh produce, making the most of the seasonal crops which are still going. The leeks, parsnips, and chard have been wonderful additions to slow-cooker stews, warming us up after long days on the plot. These hearty ingredients are perfect for autumn meals, and there’s something deeply comforting about tucking into a hot meal made with produce from the allotment. Having it ready when we walk in from work and school makes it all the more enjoyable.
Alongside the fresh produce, we’re making good use of our store of winter squash, apples, and dried chilies. Squash soups, roasts and plenty of spicy sauces have been filling our table with autumn flavors. Friends have been joining in the fun, trying out and sharing recipes as they help us work through a surplus of acorn squash—who knew a single plant could yield so many fruits!
This month, we also took on a new plot right next to ours. It’s a big undertaking, but the recent dry spell has made the initial clearing and digging a bit more manageable. There’s plenty more to do, but it feels great to have begun! After going through this process with our original plot, I have a better idea of what’s involved and am feeling ready for the work to come in prepping it for next season.
Lastly, we’ve begun dreaming and planning for next year. With the new space, there’s so much potential to think about – where to place the new beds, which crops might thrive best, and how to lay everything out for a more bountiful harvest. I’ve got my notebook full of sketches and lists, and the girls are already lobbying for their favourites (more pumpkins are, unsurprisingly, top of the list).
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