Titanarum

1) Autumn raspberries need cutting down. I prefer the autumn variety as there’s no confusion about which ones to prune. They all have to go. Just leave a few buds or bits of green about 20cm above ground and they will come back bearing fruit aplenty. With the summer variety you need to cut the canes that bore fruit this year and leave the others. But frankly, how are we to remember three months after picking finished? I don’t bother with them at all especially since the variety I grow (Autumn Bliss) begins to crop in July and goes on till the first frost. Cut them into 5-6 inch pieces and add to the compost.

2) Pull up basil plants. I’ve long stopped picking them as they have become a bit woody and tough. Add to compost.

3) Pick the last Bolotto beans before composting the plants. This was a late sowing (end of August) and they came good.

4) Clear the cold frame. Currently it is full of weeds. Earlier I had tomatoes and basil in there but they are long gone. An eyesore. I will dry them out first them compost those not gone to seed. The rest will get burned.

5) Pull up roots of sweetcorn. I composted the plants about a month ago but didn’t bother with the roots due to dry weather. They should be easy to remove now.

What a marvellous feeling it is to know what one has to do. The job is as good as done.