December is the month when there are very few visits to the allotment. We go to pick a cabbage or some leeks if they are ready and to cut some greenery for my Christmas door wreaths.
Everything is quieter and the pace is slower. There is no rush to get seeds sown and plants in the ground or weeding done. The leaves are now all fallen from the sycamore tree, we have swept them up and put them in the leaf bin. There is a lot of mud and water about because of the heavy rains, so not a good idea to work on the soil. On our few visits to the allotment we always feel it looks really sad, dark and gloomy.
We have been so busy at home during the last 6 months, making a new garden, doing work on the house so our visits to the allotment haven't been as frequent as usual. It's not looking too bad though. On the last few visits we cleared away all the veg which was finished, weeded and spread a layer of manure on the surface and planted the garlic. There is still some tidying up and weeding to be done, more compost or manure to put on the beds, the shed and little greenhouse both need cleaning out but I feel we have got most of the important things done for the time being.
I love this time of year on the allotment. I love the clearing up process and putting the beds to rest for the winter. There's a sense of slowing down and resting, but at the same time looking ahead to next year and planning. I have a few plans in my head and over the winter I will set them down on paper. I will be thinking about what to grow next year and any jobs which need doing. Mistakes may have been made, but I will try again or do something different.
The seasons come and go and now it's the season to slow down. The allotment will come back to life and will soon look fresh and green again.
Wishing all my followers a peaceful and happy New Year. If you are a gardener I wish you also a productive and bug free New Year.
