Cutting Back Asparagus

The Asparagus spears have all turned a lovely golden brown colour now (see above) so it was time to cut them down to ground level (see below). I chopped them up as small as I could and added them to the compost heap. Then I added a layer of manure over the Asparagus bed ready for next years crop.


Over on the old plot everything is looking fairly tidy and empty (see below). The mini polytunnel has the broad beans in (just coming up) and there are leeks and parsnips.


At the near end of the plot is the Purple Sprouting Broccoli which has grown to be absolutely huge (see below). I've now taken the netting off as it is plenty big enough to look after itself.


Purple Sprouting Broccoli crops in Spring and the first head of Broccoli is just starting to form on one of the plants (see below).

Early December Visit

First job of this early December visit was to finish off the shed - trimming the roofing felt and adding the corner battons. It's looking very smart sitting proudly at the end of the sea of covered ground. In the Spring I'll try and give it a coat of wood stain, but for now it will have to survive as it is.


There should be plenty enough space inside the shed for all the things I want to store. As you can see so far I've only added a few canes, but each time I visit the allotment I'll be bringing odds and ends from the garage at home that will now live in the shed.


Last Winter I planted some Autumn Raspberrys canes (Polka) but they failed to grow, so the company I ordered them from agreed to send me some replacements. Now that they have arrived I have planted them out in the hope of some success this time (see above). In the background you can see the yellowing foliage of the Asparagus as it gradually dies down for Winter. On my next visit I'll be cutting that back to ground level and manuring it.


This is the view of the newer plot, now completely covered in black plastic for the winter to prevent the weeds taking over.