Autumn, bedecked in rich colours, fruit and frost

There is no doubt autumn is here with a couple of frosts and the trees turning brilliant colours, the Asters beginning to flower and cooler mornings. Work to wrap up the nursery for winter continues with plants being put away in the tunnels and greenhouse, I've finished all the propagation for this year and am now sorting out all the plants I moved to the nursery from my own plant collection when we moved house last December. They will be planted in the nursery gardens, propagated and feature in pots. This means there will be lots of unusual plants introduced to the nursery stock list over time.

Tagetes 'Honeycomb'

They might be tiny but they are sweet little pop of loveliness on the tongue. Its been several year since I had grapes on this vine. Its been through the trauma of several house moves along with me and the rest of my plant collection and now lives in a huge pot in the greenhouse. It's putting on plenty growth after a severe hair cut 7 seven years ago to move and this year has produces these grapes. It is the variety 'Black Hamburg' so of course they should be a lot darker. But who's complaining when you pop those tiny rapes in your mouth and taste nothing but sweet grapiness.

Shout out for another great local independent business here in the borders. We first got to know Rob when he worked in the kitchen at Whitmuir. Now he is the the Fat Batard , producing amazing sourdough loaves and cakes and goodies to die for. I've been trying to get to the shop for months but its open when I'm working or on my day off when I'm doing other stuff. However this morning I found my self in Peebles at the bank and thought I'd check out the shop and see if there were any doughnuts left. Been drooling over pics of them on social media in recent weeks. I was not disapointed and came away with a sourdough loaf that did us for lunch and dinner, and doughnuts, cheese scone and chocolate brownie, they well all excellent. Back on the diet tomororw lol. Like the the_fat_batard on facebook and insta.

Well the summer short trousers are packed away and new jeans for winter are out. It can only mean autumn is here. There are even lots of leaves on the ground already and that certain feel in the air on a sunny but cold morning arriving at work, happy days.

There is still plenty colour in the nursery gardens, we're very much into autumn now with the weather and colours. Asters, Echinacea, Heleniums, grasses and Sedums are all looking fab.

Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'

Echinacea purpurea 'Brilliant Star'

Echinacea 'Glade Purple'

Helenium 'Riverton Gem'

Liquidambar styraciflua

Oh my goodness, that was a frost this morning, much colder than the -1C that was forecast. There were some sad looking perennials this morning, which is a shame as the persicarias were looking great. Hostas and a few other plants took a hit, it just means they will go into winter hybernation a bit quicker. I took a few moments to enjoy the candyfloss smell of my Cercidiphyllum japonicum, one of the many joys of autumn.

Aster × frikartii 'Mönch'

Aster × frikartii 'Mönch'

Rosa rugosa

Eupatorium

Helianthus 'Lemon Queen'

Our river and wood walk has turned very autumnal

Bracken and birch

Oak galls

Useful plants from the garden - Peppermint

Mentha x piperita

“Peppermint” The pure black variety with strong scent and flavour. Contains antiseptic properties, excellent fresh or dried as a refreshing morning tea and for indigestion. It is a natural cross between spearmint and water mint. H 60cm, S 90cm.

Mint and Mango Iced tea

1 mango, peeled, stoned and chopped

100g granulated sugar

4 tsp green tea leaves

small bunch fresh mint

1 lime , sliced

ice

Put half the mango in a saucepan with the sugar and 100ml water. Cook for 8-10 mins then strain through a sieve and leave the liquid to cool.

Meanwhile, pour 500ml boiling water into a large heatproof jug and add the green tea leaves. Leave to steep for 5 mins, then strain into a large glass jug and add 300ml cold water. Leave to cool completely then put into the fridge to chill.

Once cold, add the strained mango syrup to the chilled tea, along with the rest of the chopped mango, fresh mint and the lime slices. Fill up the jug with ice, stir gently and serve.

Would totally recommend

Humbie Hub

for lunch, food was excellent, staff were lovely, very dog friendly with water bowls and lots of treat biscuits. We were so lucky the weather and it was great to sit outside for lunch in the late September sun. A short day out due to David having to go to a survey this evening, but a lovely walk on the beach, ice cream, a garden consultation for a client of mine and then a lovely lunch in great weather with fab company

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