Kitchen Garden Forum

Does anybody else feel they start to run out of steam on the gardening front at this time of year? I'm really enthusiastic and energetic in the early months after a winter's rest, but in August when everything is looking overgrown and blousy, one is busy picking and freezing and the weeds s have gone beserk after a week's absence I'm finding it difficult to keep up the pace. I sometimes think it's the courgette glut that starts the rot!

I'm with you there Primrose. You would think August and we could sit back and relax but no it all seems to happen this month and as you say with bumper harvests to deal with, local shows (ours is tomorrow Saturday) and I'm in the middle of cutting down an over-grown plum tree, weeding, watering etc. Never mind about running out of steam I think I am 'steaming'.

Roll on the Autumn.

Beryl.

Hi Primrose

Do you know, when I was up at the allotment yesterday I was thinking exactly that, and trying to put my finger on exactly what it is that makes me feel like that at this time of the year. I've reached the point where I know I should be preparing all that fresh produce for the freezer, but can't really be bothered. Then there are the weeds which always seem determined to get the upper hand around now. In other years I've struggled to keep up with these jobs and the watering as well - but at least that's not been a problem this year!!!

You've made me feel better, know I know it's not just me who gets the harvesting blues

I'm beginning to think that this year it's also partly the fault of the weather. We seem to have such an onslaught of rain and sunshine that the weather has been really humid which seems to knock the energy out of me. I found my OH briefly asleep in the armchair this afternoon and he's normally a full time dynamo, so perhaps we can blame the humidity as well as the creeping influence of anno domini.

I seem to have been trying to catch up all summer, just concentrating on the veg part of the garden. With all the warmth and rain the rest of the garden has turned into a jungle.

So this week as there is a brief lull before the apples, pears and autumn raspberries get into full swing, I'm doing major clearing up and chopping down jobs. It is quite satsfying to see the pond again and I've taken the bind weed off the azaleas and acer so that bit of the garden looks quite presentable.

I've got totally fed up trying to think of courgette recipes so they can turn into marrows if they want

The challenge I always set myself each year and never achieve is to get the garden to a stage where I can just hoe between the plants. It's alright saying that you should hoe before you can see any weeds, but that seems to be as soon as I've sown seeds or planted things out. After that it all goes down hill.

I still get good crops though, the pests probably can't find the veg plants.

I've just read "The Italian tomato Garden" thread - what a good idea, but I'm afraid I don't know anyone in prison!

There are two major chores which take up your time: watering and keeping the grass and weeds down. Take a week away and the whole lot has become overgrown. This can militate against the satisfaction of the lovely beans, carrots, etc. But I'm not at the stage of feeling bored with it yet; give me a few more years!

Mike Vogel wrote:.......Take a week away and the whole lot has become overgrown. .....

Oh that explains it all went to Scotland last week and guess what?

I feel so much better after reading all this. I thought you lot were all so enthusiastic All of the Time, and it was just me who gets brassed off with watering and weeding and planning and picking and jamming and chopping and freezing and sometimes I just want to lie on the sofa with a Pimm's and a good book instead.

My Fine Young Man and I were talking about this today (while watering the tomatoes and setting the onions out in the greenhouse to dry) and we agreed that the winter comes as a good rest and we couldn't be arsed to be organised enough to grow stuff through the winter. And we agreed that we wouldn't be without the allotment and wouldn't have things any other way.

Now i feel the odd one out, i always seem to feel quite frisky this time of the year.

oldherbaceous wrote:Now i feel the odd one out, i always seem to feel quite frisky this time of the year.

Ooh OH where do you get your energy

Dear macmac, simply for the love of life.
And i worry i might miss something.

oldherbaceous wrote:Dear macmac, simply for the love of life.
And i worry i might miss something.

I'm in between. When I walk into the plot, I'm overwhelmed by how much there is to do and almost want to turn around and go home. I've fallen behind this year because of the fire and then my family was over for two weeks and the weeds rampaged through. I'm just starting to get on top of things again.

But once I get going, there's not enough hours in the day and I would happily waste all my time on the plot. To the detriment of many other things including my housework and writing, but not my children. Priorities.

I never have enough to have to do huge amount of storing or freezing, so I seem to be able to get away with picking enough for that meal and then coming back in a few days and doing the same. So that may make a difference. Someday I would like to have a glut of something besides courgettes.

I almost had to give up my plot due to a moving for a new job, but it fell through and I was most relieved to get to the plot today and know all those potatoes still under the ground and the raspberries yet to ripen would be all ours and not someone elses.

Hi Malk.......ye gods that would be heartbreaking! All that hard work and anticipation of the crops and then to have to leave them for someone else!!! Glad you will still be around your allotment to enjoy them!
Cheers.