Monday 5 October 2015

End of season

I think it's safe to say that our Indian summer is over. This morning we woke to dull, damp weather and there is now a steady down pouring of rain. It had been forecast a few days ago and I spent the weekend gathering crops and seeds while they were dry. It's a satisfying job which gives me the feeling of being well-organised and in control of the gardening cycle. (I'm delusional.)
Coriander seed.
I tidied up the strawberry bed while I was about it and was annoyed to have a squirrel sitting above me in the walnut tree sending a shower of shell casings down on my head!
Our walnut tree is large, seen in the centre of the photo.
It's very productive. You might think it hard for squirrels to eat the entire contents of such a large tree but, believe me, they can. As soon as the nuts are ripe the squirrels arrive, in threes! Don't tell me they look cute, I'm not listening. I WANT MY NUTS! We banged a few down with a long stick and now they are drying off in the greenhouse along with the squash.
The summer crops are coming to an end, the last of the courgettes and tomatoes.
And the citrus are now under cover and rewarding us with lovely perfume,
There are still flowers to pick from the garden

but it's a soggy, drippy old space out there.
I tiptoe along the stepping stones when I move from the garage to the house so that my feet don't get too wet. 
The steamer chair looks rather forlorn, it will be put under cover with the other garden furniture as soon as the rain stops!
The traditional winter veg are thriving in this weather, with sprouts netted against the pigeons
and rows of leeks.
Just look at the cosmos,
 so much pleasure to have from just one packet of seeds!



14 comments:

  1. Such a large productive garden. I have been reading up on growing some potted citrus in the greenhouse, sounds fun.

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  2. I would recommend a 'Meyer' lemon, as photographed above. It is my most reliable and prolific lemon and is also a compact bush that can more easily be moved inside in the winter months than the larger trees. The skins are thin, the fruit has a lovely flavour with an orange tint to the flesh. The only downside to my lemons is that scale insects seem to love them, probably because they have to be under cover for the greater part of each year.

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  3. So beautiful even in the rain and overcasts skies.
    You did so well with your veggies. So you can pick the walnuts green and then let them dry ?
    You are still getting a lot from your garden.
    Next year I will plant some sweet peas they look so happy.

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. It's win some lose some in the veg garden but overall it's been a productive year. I've discovered that slugs love coriander and in 2016 I'll be sprinkling slug pellets next to the newly planted seeds! I don't like to use them because of my toad population but on the other hand I do like to have plenty of fresh coriander to cut.
      The walnuts are fully ripe now inside their green outer casing. It's far nicer to wait for the nuts to fall free of the casing but if I do that the squirrels always seem to get there first.
      Sweet peas are such 'good doers', mine are still flowering - although their support has taken a bit of a list!

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  4. So lovely! We recently got a huge amount of rain and have had 2 mild frosts. But the mums keep going and some Cosmos. Do you get birds eating the cosmos seeds? Goldfinches here love them-and the coneflower seeds.

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    1. I haven't seen any birds eating the cosmos seeds although they are busy elsewhere in the garden eating the red berries and the thistle and giant scabious seeds. Lots of feasting at this time of year!

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  5. Your garden is always such an inspiration to me! Thank you for sharing my dear! I hare your squirrel sentiment … and with our intruder being rabbits! When people comment on how cute they are … I just don't see it that way these days!

    Sending sunny hugs from Southern California!

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  6. Lovely garden shots. Great inspiration!

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    1. My, but it's dull and damp here, Irene, although in a nice way! Still, quiet days. I hang the washing out wet in the morning and bring it in at night in much the same state!

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  7. What a lovely post and your pictures are so beautiful. I especially like the first one. Pure magic! I totally understand how you feel about squirrels. We too have a walnut tree and the squirrels absolutely love it and they're not much of the sharing kind. They want it all and even climb the top to shake down those which haven't fallen yet. It's a constant race between me and the squirrels. ;)

    Take care my dear and enjoy your beautiful autumn garden.♥

    Charlie
    xx

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    1. Your comment makes me laugh, Charlie - different country, same problem, those squirrels are little blighters!

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  8. My parents have a walnut tree. I remember gathering them each year. Looking good at your place. Putting things to bed for winter does make one feel a bit like we're in control of the garden finally after a busy season. Then, we can plan for next year!

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    1. 'In control' - you must be joking, Sherlock! The garden seems to have descended into chaos. Now that the perennials are fading I can spot the oh-so-healthy looking ground elder weed rampaging away. Lots of work needed to wrestle things into control.

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