Stocking up

With the drought continuing and with no forecast rain ahead, farmers are laying in enormous supplies of hay, baylage and silage for their stock this autumn and winter. This pile is more than twice the size of Farmer Barry's usual stock. His cattle will thank him.

I too am laying aside winter stores. Today I cut the squashes from their plants and carefully laid them on a slatted shelf in the tunnel house. They keep very well in there, with frost fleece thrown over them on the very coldest nights. There are 20 squashes this year, plus a couple I've eaten already.

It has been a busy gardening day, getting on with the big autumn tidy-up. It is satisfying to see the place looking a wee bit more organised each day.

Bean has been supervising from her bed in the sun.