Down to earth

Too many people from the office and the allotments issued dire warnings about rotavators and the weeds we'd be picking out from the soil for the following two years.
So there was nothing else for it but to do it by hand. Fourteen bags of weeds later - all decomposing nicely in a compost bin - and it's really rather a nice feeling.
On our last visit our kindly neighbouring plotters offered us some produce from their patches. Juicy, flavoursome cherry tomatoes from Peter and Ann tasted divine and so unlike any of the bland tasteless supermarket offerings. They jazzed up fab beef burgers from our local butcher for a quick and easy tea the other night.
And the chap two plots down - the one who introduced himself to us with a courgette - gave us a gigantic swede the other afternoon. Along with three rhubarb plants which have been duly planted out.
Am thinking of doing a massive tin of lovely roasted root veg - a real comforting winter warmer.
And friends Jane and Tony have also given us two big bags of cookers from their fruitful garden. With the apples and blackberries I feel a fruit crumble baking session coming on.
Back to the plot, though, and I think we have missed our dates for seeding with green manure. So, methinks polythene covering might be the answer to prevent pesky weeds over the winter.
Any suggestions for livening up our blank canvas gratefully received...