[New shoot]

I did a really messy couple of jobs today on the plot.  I emptied two compost bins and spread the contents over areas I then covered with weed membrane.  Then I decided to empty and swish the mud and other debris out of the communal water butt under the tap on the corner of my plot.

There is an element of playing with mud pies when getting the plot under control and put away for bed at this time of year, but I do quite enjoy it    Guess I didn’t get it out of my system as a kid 

So are you a fastidious gardener or a grubby pup ?

[Yorkie]

After last night's rain, I definitely wasn't clean while weeding the leeks ... 

[snowdrops]

My husband has been often heard to say I look like a refugee when I came in from the garden and I have been known to have to wash my face in the utility room sink (and even feet lol) as well as my hands of course when I come in from gardening

[Growster...]

We used to have a gardener on the allotments, whose plot was just immaculate, and the locals used to laugh when he 'pounced' on every weed! He did grow fabulous veg though, and gave me all his hand tools a year or so ago, as he'd decided to give everything up when he was very poorly.

One issue I take with gardening for any flowers or veg, is that the closer you get to the soil, the more in harmony you are with what's going on, and I always use a kneeler to 'get on down', and don't mind the damp and the mud - it's the closeness of nature which is the main reason for me!

So yes, get as dirty as you can!

(Mods - please delete this last line if inappropriate..;0)

[Goosegirl]

I'm a mucky pup when weeding or planting  and yes, use a kneeler but not gardening gloves as I like to feel the soil with my bare hands. Like Growster says, it's getting in touch with nature.

[Learnerlady]

Hi,
just back from the plot, managed a few hours before the rain came and yes I'm a bit dirty but have been wheel barrowing wood chip as well as a bit of weeding mainly marestail from paths etc.as this year there didn't seem to be a long enough dry spell to spray. Also pruning gooseberries, bit late and not ideal weather but they look pretty bad after an attack of what I expect was sawfly.
I like to have a clear plot, all prepped and covered by the winter but have areas i leave for wildlife. I think I'm just on track at the moment weeding...on kneeler but with gloves unless really tiny weeds. Also need to prep a new asparagus bed and an area that we've cleared for flowers but soil is much too wet and the paths haven't been cleared yet.
Its funny that I don't mind shovelling smelly manure and get really stuck into turning compost and sieving the smelly comfry tea but the thought of clearing up after animals (and babies) YUK!
I did used to get a few odd looks leaving site so I now have a nailbrush, towel, mirror and hairbrush on the plot but taking a change of clothes is a step too far so I'm still walking home with muddy boots and clothing....

[Ali T]

I'm definitely a mucky pup! After a visit to the plot I invariably arrive home dishevelled, covered in mud, sweaty, red in the face and grinning from ear to ear - and am then banished to the bathroom to clean up whilst hubby makes me a cuppa! Briiliant!

[Growster...]

Mrs Growster and I were watching the episode in 'The Good Life', only yesterday - the one where there's a storm and Tom has a bad back!

Barbara and their chums next door get the stuff in, and it's still a favourite episode after all these years!

[New shoot]

I excelled myself today by emptying out some pots at home and stashing used compost in the greenhouse for recycling. It needs to dry out a bit before I revitalise it with some fresh stuff and fertiliser for use next year.

As I wasn’t exactly clean after that I then decided to empty the hot bin composter. 3 decent sized bags of rotted stuff stashed at the bottom of shrubs near the greenhouse. This stuff is strong and I’ll use it as a mix in for containers next year.  Bin restarted with some old stuff and some new that I had been collecting for the purpose.

A shower and clothes change definitely needed as soon as I got back inside 

[Enfield Glen]

As its been too wet to finish the last bit of digging over (Sorry No Diggers) and peppers and chard is still hanging on in there. Me an one of the other regulars and made use of the sunny afternoons to clear the brambles that have overgrown one of the boundaries, we now have parking for half a dozen cars.

[Growster...]

As its been too wet to finish the last bit of digging over (Sorry No Diggers) and peppers and chard is still hanging on in there. Me an one of the other regulars and made use of the sunny afternoons to clear the brambles that have overgrown one of the boundaries, we now have parking for half a dozen cars.

That's fabulous news, all about what we gardeners like to do to get the plots on the go, and make it easier to get on down there!

Well done you guys!

[Learnerlady]

Well after my post earlier this month things have ground to a halt. We were lucky and got a skip from the council so rushed round pulling up loads of brambles, weeds, sweetcorn and brassica stems and focused on clearing the beds. Since then it has been rain, rain and more rain so can't finish winter prep.
So far the plastic greenhouse hasn't disappeared into the neighbours plot so burying the sides etc. and adding stones is working and hopefully it won't go walkabout this year, might get shredded but that's another problem.
I'm waiting to see how the weed control fabric goes on as "burned" the edges to stop fraying so not creating plastic string which I find can be a real trip hazard 
Fingers crossed we get a drier November although it isn't looking too promising.......haven't got the garlic in yet !!!!!