Working Notes - October 2023

22 October – Apologies for this week’s email being a little later than usual. I arrived home from the garden this Sunday to a very poorly 3 year old who has needed some extra TLC. Though young Harvey is starting to perk up it was a shame he wasn’t well enough to join us for Apple Day, as I’m sure he would have loved the simplicity of it all. Chopping, crushing and pressing apples into a sweet, sticky juice, all on hand cranked machinery, is enough to bring out the child in even the most mature of us. And the end product wasn’t bad either. With a few visitors on site to sample our juice, as well as Janette’s apple tarte-tatin and Linda’s lemon madeleines, it turned out to be a pretty good day.

15 October – Walking the dog this morning, with the first overnight frost still fresh on the ground, it felt that winter had suddenly arrived. With last weeks warmth fast becoming a fading memory, our volunteers have been on hand throughout the week, clearing out the raised beds of tomatoes, courgettes and more, in preparation for sowing our winter veg. There was also a lovely autumn display of gourds and dried sunflowers to admire in the social tunnel.

Discussing next year’s plans with the Sunday group we pondered planting ideas, from what we know can grow in Buxton to what we would like to see grow. It was a fun talk, with discussions of the everyday mushroom and its health benefits to the more exotic Callaloo, with its ability to adapt to varying climates over time. Please feel free to discuss what you would like to see more of throughout the week with your day organisers and hopefully we can put together a diverse plan for next year.

You may have also noticed there is a bit of scrap metal dotted around the garden in the form of old fences, cages, etc. I have spoken with a local scrap man about coming to remove any items which are not wanted or have no use. If there is anything someone would like to keep for a project or to take home please discuss this with your day organiser and keep to one side for safe keeping.

Lastly a big thanks to the Wednesday group for once again going on their annual apple adventure, returning to the garden with crates bursting full with a great variety of apples.

8 October – I hope you are all putting this little late summer sun to good use. Here at the SCG, our volunteers have spent the week collecting seeds including calendula, nasturtiums, marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers and coneflowers, all of which will be packed for our seed swaps early next year. We are also looking to put together our seed and planting plans for 2024. If you have any ideas for what you’d like to grow please speak with Melissa or myself and we can look to start getting the ball rolling.

1 October – It’s safe to say the best of the weather is certainly behind us. Throughout the week our volunteers have used their time to storm proof the garden, re-staking the brassicas and removing any netting. They have also been preparing for the change of the season, emptying our leaf mould bays and preparing the raised beds and cold frames for some much needed repairs.