It's suddenly looking very autumnal on the plot. The beans have just about stopped, and the sweetcorn are all ready to pick. I have had some already, and they cannot be bettered. I am saving the bean plants - both French and runner - for seeds to plant next year, but I have started digging in some manure and compost in preparation for next spring. The manure is all fresh, so cannot be used directly on the crops, but if it is dug in before and over winter, the ground should be ready for sowing next year. In the meantime, there are still a few courgettes coming, plus leeks, parsnips and cabbages - and the rest of the sweetcorn - together with some purple sprouting broccoli which will be ready in about March.
Yesterday was our local horticultural society Autumn Show. We had lots of entries - 382 as opposed to 306 last year - and the village hall was bursting with monster pumpkins and marrows, along with an excellent selection of flowers and vegetables. It was exceptionally colourful. I managed to win with a rope of onions, but more to the point, I beat my main rival in the men-only cooking class of chocolate bonfire traybake. All good friendly stuff!
