We can no longer contradict the meteorologists who consider any month ending in -ber to be in autumn. The autumn equinox has passed and as we look around the fact that autumn in now upon us is confirmed.
The blueberry bushes at the plot are a fiery red.
The hosta leaves are beginning to yellow.
Small gatherings of fallen leaves are beginning to cluster in sheltered corners.
Mildew is beginning to creep over the leaves of its favourite plants.
Morning dew covers surfaces.
The wasps and bees are making the most of the later ivy flowers ...
and the silken spiders' thread catch on the morning sunlight.
The low sun plays with shadows and light.
The medlars are showing off their strange fruits ...
... and autumn flowers are showing their faces.
On the plot we have planted our autumn onions and garlic. More about this on on Martyn's blog
The hours of daylight are being gradually eroded and we are wakening to the sound of radiators warming! It's time to stock up with warm jumpers and paperback novels and resign ourselves to the fact that summer has gone. Let's hope that autumn is kind enough to give us a bit more time to ripen all those green tomatoes?
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I've clung on to summer for as long as possible but I've resigned myself to the fact that autumn is now here. My socks are out of hibernation and the central heating is warming the house of a morning.
ReplyDeleteBut it has been lovely today - almost just to contradict me.
DeleteNope, I refuse to believe it Sue. How can Autumn be here when Summer never arrived!
ReplyDeleteI'm clinging on to the dregs of summer and will paint colour back into the leaves if I have to, in fact I may fill the garden with artificial flowers just to convince myself further.
We did OK, Linda but it was late arriving - it was spring that disappointed.
DeleteI've got my fingers tossed for the ripening tomatoes as well - I made so much green tomato chutney in 2012 I certainly don't need any more this year!
ReplyDeleteIf it carries on like today for a few weeks that will do nicely, Jules.
DeleteWe were promised a return to Summer this weekend, but it hasn't happened down here in Hampshire. OK, it's been very mild, but it's also been cloudy all the time. Anyway, here in the balmy South our Blueberries still have green leaves!
ReplyDeleteToday has been lovely - in the balmy north - warm and sunny!
DeleteOh yes, a little more sunshine please. It would be nice to ripen tomatoes and do some clearing up in dry and warm weather. Beautiful photos in this post Sue, they really are fantastic, especially the tomato ones. Hope you both have a good week.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely day yesterday , CJ we need more of the same!
DeleteI think there is hope for my green tomatoes in the greenhouse after today's very warm weather! We have just had a BBQ while I have been baking my Christmas cake!! Have a wonderful week xx
ReplyDeleteOh dear the dreaded C word, Chel. Yesterday was a bonus wasn't it.
DeleteI too am noticing the end of the season. We picked our apples and the last of our crabapples today. I pulled up the corn for decoration and ended the non-performing pumpkin vines. There is little left in the garden. I am happy because of the harvest, but not looking forward to snow. Thus the seasons change.
ReplyDeleteWe don't always get snow, Bonnie and then often not very much and not very long lasting but the last two winters we have had more than I care for.
DeleteWhat a lovely reflection re autumn....yes it's here all right and I do love the richness of the trees and plants.xxxx
ReplyDeleteIt started well here this morning, Snowbird, but didn't live up to its promise. Gloomy. If we can appreciate the colours of autumn we need sunshine
DeleteI too have many green tomatoes Sue. I have to say that although I am always sad to see the days shorten I initially look forward to the quieter pace of the late autumn/early winter. Such a pity i know it will drag on forever!! What were the pink flowers?? They were very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe pink flowers are Cyclamen hederifolium, Tanya - we have white ones too. We started with two and now they are everywhere and we have given lots away too.
ReplyDeleteLove those red leaves. Our cornus is looking glorious at the moment. xx
ReplyDeleteThe colours of the leaves are one thing I love about autumn, Debbie but I have to say that my heart belongs to spring!
DeleteBlueberries - a sore point with me. The leaves have turned red here too, and all I got from three 3 year old plants was about 20 fruit (and all of them on one plant).
ReplyDeleteMy tomatoes and cucumbers have ceased trading, but while the courgettes and runners have slowed, they are still cropping/flowering... I picked plenty tonight.
Our blueberries dod about the same thing, Mal
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