In his weekly Jamie’s Little Allotment column, Gayton gardener Jamie Marsh enjoys the slower pace of autumn…
Every year we say: “I can’t believe how the nights are drawing in.” It happens so quickly. The growing year is gradually slowing down and you can see it all over the plot.
The strong winds we’ve had have really knocked things about. Sunflowers and bean teepees have been blown over, and the pumpkins have taken a battering. Some have even been knocked off their vines. It’s all part of the change as we move into autumn.
Brassicas are waiting for the first frost
The tomatoes are nearly done and the cucumbers have gone. Some of the plants look tired after such a long hot season. The chillies though are still going strong. The brassicas are holding steady as well, waiting for that first frost. Once it comes the cabbages will taste better and the sprouts will be sweeter.
This year has definitely been the hottest and longest summer I can remember. Week after week of sunshine with barely a break, pushed the plants and me to our limits. The watering seemed never-ending, but I didn’t mind too much. I’ve always said watering is one of those jobs I quite enjoy.
It slows you down. You’re not rushing, you’re moving along the rows, checking each plant. It’s in those moments you notice what’s really going on – a tomato turning red, a late cucumber hiding away or a chilli almost ready.
Lots of crops took a battering in the recent strong winds
Without those quiet minutes with the hose or watering can, I might have missed lots of that. It was hard work though. Some evenings I’d be out there long after I’d planned, making sure every bed had a decent soak.
In a summer like this, there’s no choice – miss a watering and you soon see the plants sulking. But I also think those extra hours were worth it. The garden still gave us plenty to harvest, even in the heat and I’ve learned a lot about how tough some plants really are.
The beds that were crammed full only a few weeks ago are opening up now. Empty spaces are appearing and the compost heap is growing as more old plants get cleared away. I’ve also been filling a few of those gaps with new sowings. Last week I put in Chinese leaves, a mix of salad and some Pak Choi.
They won’t grow as fast as they would in summer, but they’ll keep things ticking along and give me some fresh leaves when most of the plot is slowing right down. Little touches like that make a big difference when the rest of the allotment feels as though it’s winding down.
Strong winds have knocked pumpkins off their vines
People often say it’s time to ‘put the garden to bed,’ but I don’t think like that. The garden doesn’t go to sleep. Garlic and onions will be going in soon and the compost will keep ticking away all winter. And, of course, those brassicas will keep standing, ready for when the cold weather works its magic.
Autumn isn’t the end – it’s more of a handover. The pace is slower, but there’s still plenty to keep us busy. There’s clearing to be done, compost to turn, beds to mulch, and tools that will thank you for a clean and a drop of oil before they’re hung up. It’s also the time to look back over the year – what went well, what didn’t and what you’d like to try again next season.
I’ve already got a few ideas forming for next spring, but before then I want to make the most of what autumn still has to offer. I always think this part of the year gives you a different kind of reward. It’s not the rush of summer harvests, it’s more steady, more thoughtful.
A good cabbage in January or a bag of homegrown onions stored in the shed feels just as satisfying as a basket of tomatoes in August. It’s a reminder that the garden doesn’t stop giving, even when the days are shorter and colder.
So no, it’s not the end. The garden’s just moving at a different pace. Autumn has its own rhythm, its own beauty, and I’ll be out there enjoying it every step of the way.
Feel free to email me to let me know what’s been going on in your garden. Email: Jamieslittleallotment@gmail.com
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