Anyone else ready for autumn on the plot, I’m just very tired of watering and I have things I want to get on with but the ground is rock hard. London has had some rain but not nearly enough!

So this week I did some smaller things. My extra garden waste bin arrived so I got all the various weed containers emptied into the bin and because it’s rained just enough to give the weeds hope, weeded at the front, the front got weeded. On inspection of the plants that need to go into the ground, I spotted three salvias that I’d completely forgotten I had so I put them with the others.

There was also a valerian that I decided could go in the front. I do have some other plants that have yet to arrive, but when they do, I’m hopeful that that will help fill out the space.

The side beds the front also got a weed and then it was time to attend to the strawberry tower. I lost five plants but gained hundreds of runners from the plants that made it through but it was getting to the point where I couldn’t turn the tower because of the runners, so I tidied and replanted some of the runners in the gap, and then took about 50 of them (which I think was about a quarter of them) and put them in pots, they may or may not root and if it’s more than I can use, I’ll give them away or they could go to next years plant sale.

After some tomato collection it was time to water, everything got very thoroughly watered, which takes hours. And there was a lot of chatting.

Next week, I do have planting out to do, I have brassicas from the Cornish Cabbage Plants (kale, sprouts, spring greens and broccoletto) arriving, instead of sending seedlings and plugs, they grow the plants outside and then dig them up and send them to you. The idea is that you stick them in the ground when you get them and they are hardier than seedlings. Someone recommended them and I thought I’d give them a go. So my sole goal is to get them and the leeks in beds and covered with mesh.

I think that gets us in good shape for the winter and then with any luck conditions will improve so I can work on some of the longer term projects!