Many gardeners put their land “to bed” as autumn draws on but a fair few of us keep on going instead. With the added benefit of the polytunnel, I’ve got protected space that will be enough for some plants unless we get a very hard winter and, now quite a few of the tomatoes have come out, that is unused rather than occupied space. I’ve got some spinach and winter lettuce that I’m germinating indoors and will move outside once it gets to a suitable size.

There are also things I can prepare to plant out at the allotment as some of the beds become free. November is a good time to get broad beans in and I’m going to take a look at a hardy pea variety that can go in soon. Both will give us harvests in late spring and, better yet, that will mean the beds are ready for the spring germinated, summer and autumn harvesting crops I want next year.