We certainly noticed and felt the change in the seasons this year. Autumn has tightened its grip and summer has slipped into being just a memory.
It's been noticeably colder and as our wardrobe has changed so has that of the plants.
The blueberry bushes are particularly vibrant.
The plum and greengage trees are shedding their leaves which are carpeting the ground beneath them.
Cyclamen flowers are pushing through the leafy layer and the leaves that follow the flowers are creating patches of green amongst the yellowing leaves.
Frost tender flowers are tentatively hanging on until the first serious frosts batter them into submission.
The plot is looking rather bare now. Most crops have been harvested and many beds are being prepared for a winter rest.
Despite the overall view of the plot confirming that things are winding down, we do have some things beginning to grow. There are my annual flower seeds, Martyn's green manure patches and most surprising of all, the garlic is shooting up quickly.
Eagle eyed readers may also be able to spot that the onion sets planted just behind the garlic have tiny, new shoots. No doubt this growth will soon stop but it is good to see that they are making some growth before winter sets in.
We are now visiting the plot less. There is very little watering that needs to be done regularly, although the newly sown seeds still need a little help. There is also far less to harvest.
We will soon need to harvest the quinces. Unlike us they discard their furry coats as the summer winds down and the temperatures drop.
I trimmed back the tree last week as given the chance the tree would head for the sky and we want to keep it low enough to pick the fruits without needing a ladder. It's in some ways a pity that we didn't control the plum and greengage trees in the same way but it's too late for that now.
Martyn dug the rest of the potatoes last week. There were three rows of leftover seed potatoes. The varieties were Rooster, Cara and Osprey. As with previous harvested potatoes, compared to previous years the yield was disappointing although as expected.
I picked a few more cranberries.
I also picked a bunch of grapes to enjoy when taking a coffee break.
By the way did you notice that I have tweaked my blog title? I hope to think of something better, but for now I think it's given me more scope to diversify without feeling guilty.
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So lovely to see your garden and your prose is winsome and descriptive. I'm reminded of the seasonal garden rhythms when I lived in Massachusetts. Look forward to reading other posts.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed it. I tried to leave a comment on your blog but it wouldn’t let me even by using my fb login.
DeleteIt seems like your transition from summer to autumn was very quick. What a relief it must be to have the excessive heat of summer be only a memory. The heat doesn't seem to have been detrimental to the grapes, they look perfect and I imagine they are sweet too.
ReplyDeleteIt was quick, Michelle. Having less watering to do is a relief but it’s gone too much the other way. Some forecasts indicate that we may have early frosts!
DeleteI bet not having to water as much really is a relief! I thought we were moving into autumn but then the heat came back. Summer doesn't seem to want to leave us.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a huge relief, Dave. The heat certainly hasn’t returned here. At times it feels as though we have jumped into winter.
Deletethe fruit tree is so promising
ReplyDeleteAbout half of those fruits have been picked now, Endah.
DeleteDo you think the drier summer had an impact on potato yields? I love your quince - what variety is it?
ReplyDeleteYou are quick off the mark with the garlic. I haven't even sorted through my harvest from this year to choose the best cloves to sow for next year yet!
I do think the dryness has impacted on the potatoe, Julieanne. It was one crop that we didn’t water.
DeleteThe quince is Meeches Prolific. As for the garlic and onions, I wanted them to settle in and make some growth especially at root level before winter set in.