Autumn Planting and Creative Urges

Halfway through October with misty mornings and sunlit days. Leaves drop and drift around the garden and collect here and there in damp, scenty, heaps.

The acers are changing colour in a lovely way but usually hang on to the leaves until next month, when they shed them suddenly. The fruit trees are losing theirs much more rapidly and covering the ground beneath.

Still some pleasing green leaves, here and there, especially the silver-leaved brunnera and the patterns on the cyclamen hederifolium are a pleasure to see. Hederifolium means “ivy-leaved”. This is because the shape resembles those of ivy. The patterns on them are really lovely.

Asters, known as michaelmas daisies, are a beautiful feature of the Autumn garden. They are one of my favourite plants with their lovely shades of mauve. Sadly, this year, they suffered in the drought and their leaves are not at their best. The flowers are still a pleasing sight though. I brought some in for an arrangement in a pretty pottery basket given to me by my lovely daughter.

They make me smile each time I look at them.

When I went into the garden a few days ago I was delighted to spot a beautiful pansy. I hadn’t planted it. It had sprung up from a stray seed dropped by the birds or blown there by the breeze. Absolutely lovely, with its combination of colours and perfect shape. Like a pretty little watercolour painting.

Not many flowers now. Summer perennials are fading fast and no longer producing flowers. Just a few strays pop up now and then, like this lovely campanula.

I bought more pansies. Planted most. Still a few to put in.

The robin joined me while I was planting some in pots. Hopping from pot to pot, he investigated thoroughly.

What a pleasure it is to see these beautiful little creatures so close. I even hear a little song as he perches and watches my movements. Such fearless and delightful garden companions. One of life’s simple, yet satisfying , experiences.

I’ve planted my onions to grow outdoors over Winter. Last year I bought plants and had a nice small crop, so this time I intend to increase my yield. I bought seeds and started them in my own compost in the greenhouse. The onions are called “Toughball”, but this name refers to their hardiness while growing in the coldest months not their eating qualities. They’re deliciously sweet and tender when cooked.

I’ve sown “Arctic King” lettuces to grow in the greenhouse bed when the tomatoes come out. I still have a few tomatoes on the plants so I shall leave them until heavy frost sets in. The seedlings will be ready to transplant by then. The lettuces will grow slowly until the days lengthen in February, then they’ll put on a spurt. Meanwhile, I can take a few little leaves now and then to have with a sandwich.

I make my seed compost from mature home-made compost and well-rotted leafmould. Roughly equal quantities mixed together. I keep a supply in a bin in the greenhouse ready for sowing. Works well, although I do find a few weeds pop up. Not a problem once you’re experienced enough to identify the different seedlings. I just pull out the weeds.

Time to be thinking about indoor jobs like Christmas gifts and baking. I usually make some gifts and I always bake a Christmas cake. Need to put my thinking head on and summon up some creativity.

Last year I knitted novelty cat cushions for my daughter and daughter-in-law. They were fun to do and were received with pleasure.

I hope I can rise to the task this year. I would like to reduce the amount of plastic in my gifts. There is so much useless and polluting packaging. That’s another reason why I try to make some. I usually bake my daughter’s favourite fruit cake and my daughter-in-law’s favourite pecan pie, along with preserves, in a food hamper for them. These things don’t take any more time than Christmas shopping and for me that’s a bonus. Knitting and sewing are pleasures for the long dark nights and it’s fun to see the items coming to life.

Haven’t done much painting recently but the urge is building. Here’s a very old one I drew and outlined with pen before filling in the colour with gouache paint.

I hope you have plenty to keep you pleasantly occupied. With you again soon. Bye for now.