Saving My Tomatoes & Providing Support

I decided to remove the remaining tomatoes from my outdoor plant. Apparently the temperature is set to drop to just above freezing by the end of the week and it's unlikely they will survive in the open. I managed to collect a punnet's worth, so not bad at all.

While I was picking, I was joined by a large Red Admiral butterfly. It looked stunningly beautiful and was a welcome late visitor to the garden and a sign that we're not yet fully in the grip of winter. It lingered long enough for me to take a snap as it sat in the sunshine.

I have mentioned in previous posts my fondness for a You Tube channel, 'Glen1040'. I really enjoyed his videos and I was fascinated by his efforts at self-sufficiency. I notice that his channel has now been closed and I have been unable to discover where he has gone. It's really quite sad and I worry whether something has befallen him.
My watermelons are now the size of small lemons and growing fast. I've had to provide some support for them and being quite high on the plant, I have decided to use tights as suggested previously. For one, I've created a hammock of sorts and for the other, I've supported in from the roof of the conservatory. All very Heath Robinson but it seems to be doing the job.

There will be a degree of despondency from me over the coming weeks as things begin to get difficult. We are lucky to have an insurance policy which protects our mortgage payments, but this claim period will end in February next year. By that time, I need to have found suitable employment and be able to cover the payments. If this doesn't happen then, frankly, the worst will happen. I must admit to trying not to think about it too much. Depression is one of those things that can be triggered very easily and I really don't want to suffer another bout. But as the weeks pass, I (we) will need to start thinking seriously about what we're going to do. I've always said that I never want to return to an IT career, but it is what I know and as I am still unable to complete and achieve my full PCV license due to lack of funds, it may be my only option.
That is the stark reality at the moment...

Growing Update

Despite everything else that might go on placing dark clouds above, one constant is my effort at growing herbs and other things. With the nights drawing in and cooler temperatures, I'm beginning to worry a little that some of my plants and seedlings may begin to struggle so I'll be keeping a close eye on it all ready to move them inside if it gets too cold.
I was really heartened the other day when my Mum called in and saw my herbs and greenhouse. She remarked that 'my Father would be proud of me'. It's not often that has been said so it made me feel quite good and that all my efforts so far had been worthwhile.

My 'monster' of a honeydew watermelon plant continues to dominate the conservatory. It's now reaching out to fasten itself to anything and everything it can find. Still no sign of any fruit though and I wonder if the cooler temperatures will prevent it from producing any...

It really fascinates me how the plant has developed a mind of its own and I wonder just how much bigger it will become!

I have succeeded in transplanting my delicate asparagus seedlings from their propogator to a large pot. I'm keeping them indoors until they are strong enough to cope with the wind and rain.

Another plant that's doing particularly well is my Basil. The leaves smell absolutely wonderful, pungent and sweet. We've already used them in cooking. Again, I'm wondering just how big this will become. I've already had to add further support and it appears to increase in size by about half-an-inch every couple of days.

Everything within my mini-greenhouse seems to be doing very well. I've added some more tomato seedlings so hope to have a real mix of different types. My Sweet Cicely hasn't show any signs of germination but it's early days.

Tomatoes and Onions (kindly supplied by Janet Giles)

My Garlic makes a tentative but welcome appearance

A late addition is Oregano which has also gotten off to a good start

My outdoor tomato plant is bearing fruit, and lots of it. I'm hoping this mild spell will last a little longer to allow for ripening.

So all in all I'm pretty pleased with progress so far. I would never have dreamt that growing these things would bring as much pleasure and satisfaction as it does. I'd even go as far as to say that 'I'm hooked!'