Autumn on the Allotment. Tackling the jobs that need doing on the fruit and vegetable plot.

Now that most of this year's own grown fruit and vegetables are harvested it is the time to start preparing the plot for next year. From experience I have found that if you wait until the spring then it is difficult  as there will be other things that you will need to be spending your time on.

Our weather conditions this year and also (a confession) me not keeping ahead with the weeding and hoeing down of the  weeds this summer and autumn means there is plenty to keep me busy  on the plot.
At this time of year most of the weeds are easier to remove than after a dry spell in the spring.

The compost heap needs attention too. Removing the ready to use compost and turning the compost that is still in the process of maturing. The autumn is a good time of year to add compost and manure to the soil and this too is a job that can be tackled in preparation for next year's planting and crops.

The rhubarb plants have started to die back for their winter rest and eventually their will be hardly any sign of them above ground so it can be a good idea to put a marker ( a wooden stake is OK) near them such as a stake so you do not damage them as you work on the plot. Rhubarb crowns would benefit from a good feed of compost or well rotted manure at this time of year.