I got a new android phone and this is my first post with it. Its amazing really. Ten years ago i built computers for a living and now there are phones a hundred times better than those pcs ! It should make updating this blog a bit easier . I visited the plot today to put down some weed proof sheets. There is a constant temptation to just use weedkiller but to me it defeats the purpose of growing your own food. The only drawback of weed proof sheets is their tendency mto lift in windy weather. So this year i got some of thd pegs to help hold it down. My eldest son did a great job pushing in the pegs. He also had a laugh lying down on it even though it was about one degree today with plenty of ice ! My neighbour was there digging up plants. He told me he would be leaving the plot. I am not there long enough to know him too well, but even so he has been a great source of advice. He is not giving up, but has been given an acre or two to work instead. He has plenty of chickens already. Sounds Great !. 

It was a cold and damp day yesterday. I had hoped to stay on the plot for about an hour, but it just wasn't pleasant. Instead, I did a quick tidy up. Putting away the long bamboos that I used this year for the runner beans made ne think forward again to where I might put them in the coming season.

I also had a good think about where to put some comfrey - I think I will grow a good patch of it next season too - just to use for compost.

At home, I put up some shelves in my mini greenhouse. I amde it with an old window and it seems to be quite cozy. Hopefully that will help me to get an early start next season!

It has been a cold week to start December. There have been several heavy snowfalls since Sunday and more is promised this weekend. Will this be our third cold winter in a row? Only time will tell, but if the ground becomes cold at this time of year I think the winter always seems longer.

I have finished my cold frame. It is big and heavy and should last a long time. I made it with pressure treated fence boards. They were reasonably priced - the whole thing cost about £20, although I did have the clear plastic sheets from an old greenhouse that I dismantled.

It is all about planning at this time of the year. Browsing the internet, thinking about ordering unusual seeds and drawing out imaginary plots. I should post a drawing here - I usually lose them long before I get to try out a plan.

Next year, I am thinking about inter-planting my veg with a few flowers. I have seen some nice pictures of less formal veg gardens and I think it looks well. I do like nice rows too - so I wont be abandoning that completely.

I need to cover my plot now. I wanted to wait for the leaves to fall and then cover it so that the worms can work their magic under cover!