Autumn Harvests

Its time to start winding down the growing year, although with the glorious blue sky and sunshine today its very tempting to leave things growing, but I know if I do in a few weeks the weather could be terrible and I will have to work in the cold and wet. i know which I prefer.

First up was the beans, 

Still growing still producing flowers, but it is time they came out, 

this 8ft row of 12 french plants has produce a vast mount of beans this year, I did 6 of the purple podded and six of green pods, first I picked a crate of beans

I didn't clean down the plants, after filling the crate any beans left were fed to the goats with the foliage,

Next year we wont grow french beans, we have enough put by to see us through and I still have these to deal with, we have given a fair amount away to family to and friends too.

Next up was the Chilies, there was 9 plants grown

I had 41/2 lb in the trug, I have 4 plants hanging up tat still need there chilies picking, 

The Piquant peppers are still ripening I did pick another couple today and there is sweet peppers still ripening although I picked a few today

one of the black peppers a large one that is just changing from green and this humongous red one that I found hiding

11ozs it weighed, its the biggest pepper I have ever grown

The spent mushroom arrived last week

 Six bags went into this bed that was cleared the other week,

 It has now been covered over and put to rest over winter, it will be the first bed to be put to work in spring.

I also cleared out the tomato plants, picked the last 5lb of tomatoes

I have battled with blight most of summer 

I pulled a couple of parsnips to see how they are coming on 

 Along with a few sweet potatoes

 A meal in itself this parsnip

We are having roast parsnips, sweet potatoes and potatoes for dinner tonight along with pork chops.

 I have made a start with some of chilies, a sweet Thai Chili sauce

 and a couple of jars of pickled chilies.

Tomorrow will be another day sorting out the harvests.

Clearing plants and preparation for the end of season continues,

Yesterday I had a great day at the craft fair, sold so much stock, couldn't be happier.

Diary

Tuesday 9th November 1982

Got rest of the flock in, drenched and feet trimmed about 55 of them, used commodore to save Johns back.

About to mark with S and the broke in with the rest of flock, what a mess up, got to dark to sort them out again.

Wrote to mother, Cheryl phoned, enjoyed there week end with us.

Rep from Fisions called.

Coates phoned to say hay payment was £80 adrift.

Kittens spent day in hay barn.

Darned another couple socks.