Pumpkins Now Ripe!

Last month I posted a picture of the pumpkins with quite a lot of green on them, now in the middle of October, they're ripened and look rather splendid.

It's amazing what a bit of sunshine can do, just a pity it's not come earlier in the year when we really needed it.

Runner Beans

We've just left the runners on the plant until a frost gets them, then we'll harvest what's left and remove the beans to use in stews and soups.

Unfortunately, the photo doesn't really do them justice. There's some magnificent runners on the plants.

Mustard Green Manure

Following on from the potatoes, I sowed some mustard as a green manure. It's popping up now, despite being sowed really late. When the frosts come, I'll just dig it in.

Nice Tidy Plot

OK, maybe an allotment plot is not a work of art - but thinking about some of the things that make it into the Tate Modern..

Anyway, I just thought this plot looked rather nice and neat. Jealous? Moi?

My Tomatoes

Well the plants are looking very tired now but they're still swelling fruit and ripening. I believe you can get them through to December in a tunnel or frost-free glass but usually I'm lucky to get them this late

Larry's Tomatoes in the Polytunnel

Larry has been growing a variety called Cedrico, beloved of the show growers. He very modestly puts his success down to the variety but I think skill might just come into it.

He's also got a lot in his greenhouse and they look nearly as good. Lovely size and colour.

Peppers in the Main Greenhouse

I'm a bit surprised by how well the peppers are still doing this year.  The cucumber is nearly finished and the toms look tired but the peppers just keep on truckin'

Yet more nice fruits swelling and if they carry on for a few weeks we'll have enough super-hot habenero to keep a small town of curry fanatics going!