Hello, I hope you are all well. I have had a busy summer travelling with the not-so-small children; we’ve had some fantastic trips, but at a pace that is unfortunately not sustainable, and the realities of everyday life, work, and the next stages in education must be brought back to the forefront.
This has the potential to sound like a come-down. Still, I focus on finding joy in the ordinary day-to-day and on making a conscious effort to care for my physical and mental health. From getting some sunlight into my peepers every day (when possible!) to meditation, upping my workouts, and of course going to the allotment and into the great outdoors – even when it doesn’t initially seem appealing.
As we approach the end of the year, I find that, despite the festive joys of December, it’s also a time that can take its toll. Financial worries, endless social engagement (or the opposite and feeling lonely), providing a magical time for family, heavier alcohol intake, winter bugs, the list goes on; there’s a lot to fight against in not becoming run down! I want to offer a little reminder: you cannot give from an empty cup. It’s ok to put yourself first. For me, this, as you know, means gardening.
As we enter the whirlwind that is the run-up to Christmas, I’m making a conscious effort to continue to get to the plot. There is still so much to do; there is always so much to do (priorities are tidying and mulching), and on the days when the weather is really too much (yes, I’m looking at you, storm Claudia), I have been considering my planning for 2026 and reviewing what has worked and what should be avoided in the next growing season. With this, I’m thinking Florence Fennel first up, I had such a successful year in the fennel bed and swiftly realised that neither I nor the kids are actually very keen on the stuff! That’s one seed to ditch for next year, although it is very photogenic!
I also plan to start a little later; it takes a lot of effort to set up grow lights and care for tiny seedlings in the winter. I have spoken to my 81-year-old allotment neighbour (whose plot is pristine with plentiful harvests) about this, and I will be taking a leaf from his book (no pun intended) and holding back a little. On a positive note, the hot summer gave us unprecedented success in the chilli bed; we have enough jalapenos to see us through the winter, and with a bumper batch of grapes, we have ventured into wine-making!
If you’d like to follow my activities this month and my planning for 2026, please follow me on Instagram @sarah.diggingtheearth.org.uk
Sarah.
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