Green Manure seed mix has been sown as we head into autumn

I have sown a packet of Mr Fothergills Green Manure Autumn/Winter mix on the part of the main veg bed that is now empty the French Beans having finished and the leeks thrown onto the compost heap having bolted. 

I mentioned in a previous post what handy things Green Manures are. They stop weeds spreading as they grow so quickly, the seeds I sowed had germinated in just three of four days, and prevent nutrients leaching from the soil over winter. Clovers fixes nitrogen in the soil whilst Rye Grass and Mustard improve soil structure - these are all in this particular mix. Green Manures are also beneficial to a number of insects when few if any plants and flowers are around in late autumn and early spring. 

The plants will be cut down and lightly dug into the soil come spring prior to the sowing of seeds next March/April. 

If you have never used a green Manure seed mix I would highly recommend them. 

On the rest of the plot it is all about harvesting and storing at the moment. The Runner Beans just keep coming and plenty have been blanched and frozen as well as a healthy amount being eaten. The Autumn Raspberries are pretty much finished with a few still on the plants; again several bags have been frozen for use in the months to come whilst a number have also been enjoyed with either yoghurt or ice cream. 

The Tomatoes in the Greenhouse are now coming to an end and at some point this week I will probably begin the clearing process in there. I have a few toms to come yet but at least two of the plants are effectively fruitless now. I will begin to clear them away and compost plants; the weather forecast is pretty wet for the coming days and at least this is a job I can do and stay relatively dry at the same time. 

The Carrots and Spring Onions sown for winter are of course in the Greenhouse in their pots so it will also give me a little more room in there as it is all a bit squeezed in at the moment. 

Cheers 🍺