............... and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits." - Samuel Butler
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| Helenium 'Rauchtopas' |
October marches on, caught between the last hints of warmth on decent days and the chilly blast of wind and rain, reminding us we are in that season of great change in the weather and the garden. It has been a great year for autumn colour, complain as we might about those two early very cold frosts, what we lost in flowers we gained in autumn colour on the trees. The nursery gardens are still full of interest and colour, there are still Heleniums, Echinacea, grasses and of course the Asters are just getting into their stride. You can read about them in my blog about Asters here
I have been finally getting around to lots of tasks in the nursery and gardens that were on a list I compiled as we went through summer, its great to finally get them done, knowing they will add interest to the nursery and gardens for next year.
My two orchids are flowering again for the second time this year, they flower for months and brighten up the window in the kitchen and seem to thrive on neglect. Remember, as a professional gardener, do as I say, not as I do!
It's lovely to be able to treat myself these days and these candles from The Botanical Candlemaker
are fabulous. Their candles are handmade using the finest and most ecological and ethical ingredients possible, ensuring pure and delicious scents. I chose cinnamon (think gingerbread) and Ginger star which is already my favourite which includes Ginger, Star Anise, Clove & Lemon. Both are so autumnal and perfect for my love of all things autumn.
It was also lovely to be gifted this jar of honey which our flowers in the nursery garden helped to make! Lovely on my toast in the morning
When Bracken the nursery dog thinks he's helping put the bubble wrap on the greenhouse 
he was enjoying the sun and bring warm in the greenhouse with me last weekend 
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I picked the last of my grapes so I could
bubble wrap the greenhouse, nice and sweet now
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Another garden task to get done now is to cover your ponds with netting. This prevents too many leaves falling in the pond and lowering the water quality. It is easier to prevent them falling in than having to spend a while dredging them all out. A few leaves do no harm and are broken up in the water. Because the wildlife pond is surrounded by the willow fedge I prefer to net it. This saves me a lot of time in spring when I am super busy with all the nursery work. You can buy kits on line with the net and pegs or use netting you already have, as long as its small enough that the leaves can't get through.
Sunday was the perfect day to strim the wildflower banking in the herb garden. Dry, sunny and cold, so all that strimming and raking kept us warm. A mornings work saw the banking with a short back and sides and all the strimmings raked up and way to go on the compost heap when I turn it in a month or two.
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Autumn and the view from the cottage windows change again
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On our day off we left the torrential rain of the borders and headed north to where the weather map said there was sunshine and were rewarded with a beautiful day out in Perthshire. The autumn colours were all I hoped they would be for some photography. We walked around Loch Faskally, enjoyed an autumn picnic by the loch, through lovely woodland and a coffee outside by the side of the River Tummel at the Port Na Craig Inn. We are truly blessed in the beautiful country we live in.
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All contents and photographs © Rona, unauthorised reproduction & use of these images is strictly forbidden, thank you
Looks lovely! Scotland is indeed stunning, you're so lucky, one might say spoilt for choice for a day out! What could be better than a clear autumn day by the water.
ReplyDeleteThank you, we are indeed lucky, although now we are in a week of rain and low cloud, got to take the rough with the smooth :)
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