It’s astonishing how quickly the seasons seem to change. It’s well and truly autumn here. A distinct chill has crept in, the days are grey, wet and windy and leaves are falling steadily. Each day the nights are getting noticeably shorter and the garden is strung with spider webs housing lurking fat spiders.
Paths of stone and astroturf have now been laid in what I hope will be the wildflower area, I will be sowing the seed again next spring.
I am inundated with green runner beans, the second and third sowing should provide me with beans for months to come. The second sowing of carrots and lettuce are doing well also.
I was astonished to find my lemon tree growing back. It died last winter in the greenhouse so I cut it back and grew tomatoes in the pot. I only discovered it growing again when I discarded the spent tomatoes. I imagine it will take a few years to bear fruit, but still, it has me smiling!
I’ve been roaming the gardens pulling out the peanut plants sown by red squirrels, I have eight so far. I’ve planted them in a raised bed in the courtyard to see what becomes of them. I’ll be surprised if I get peanuts! This bed is now planted with a variety of garlic. Given garlic and onions seem to grow better over autumn, I don’t think I’ll grow a spring crop any more given June is always too hot and dry for them.
Next up, plant out the onions and shallots.
It’s rather nice being able to harvest fresh produce each day, these aubergines were delicious roasted.
The last supermoon of the year, shame it was so cloudy!
And Finally…
The strings of geese are back each evening, how their plaintive cries scream autumn.
Lovely to see your garden again, you are so organised and your veggies look terrific! We have always done well with garlic in the ground… only slight problem our garlic takes about 9 months to grow so it takes up garden bed spaces for most of the year, but worth it.
Are you still working for the animal rescue place? I’ll make sure I keep up with your blog, your home looks lovely and cosy for the coming winter.
Thanks Gerrie. Yes, garlic takes it’s time for sure! Yes, I’m still involved with the rescue, less hands on physically though.xxx
I haven’t commented for a while, but i do read all of your posts. You have done well with your veggies this year. Mine have struggled and haven’t been very productive.
The wildflower area with garden swing looks so relaxing. It will be lovely to sit there and watch all the insects and colourful butterflies.
What a great photo of your cosy window underneath a full moon.
I look forward to your updates throughout the seasons. X
Thanks Keggy. Shame about your vegetables, I think the hot dry summers are to blame. I really hope the wildflowers grow, they are supposed to like poor soil.xxx
It’s all still looking and sounding good.
The carrots are doing well, and you must be well pleased that the lemon tree is regrowing.
I don’t grow over winter onions because the ground is prone to waterlogging if it’s a wet winter. xx
Thanks Flighty. I was surprised to see the lemon tree coming back, I have raised it off the ground now and will fleece it when winter kicks in. xxx
We had a fig plant do the same as your lemon tree. On the allotment the grey squirrels have planted acorns and little oak saplings are everywhere.
I have a fig tree which grows really quickly, we’ve had to cut half of it down as it keeps sitting on our neighbours garage. I’ve never had a fig but this year I saw lots on the branches we cut down, hopefully I’ll get figs next year. The squirrels plant acorns here too, I hate pulling the saplings up! Thanks Sue.xxx
I always love seeing your produce. I was admiring some eggplants in the grocery this week, but didn’t pick one up. I ought to do that; it’s not a veggie I grew up with, so I often don’t think about utilizing it. You’re certainly right about autumn setting in. Finally, we have a bit of a change, with cooler weather and some plants responding nicely to the rain we’ve had. Still, the effects of the drought linger, and there’s some question about how successful fall gardens will be. It’s time to be planting them — maybe we actually can get some fall tomatoes!
I’m rather looking forward to the time change. I think it comes in November; I’m not sure. I do like sunshine earlier in the morning, though. The longer nights of fall and winter always feel nice to me: snug, and perfect for reading and letting soup simmer on the stove. It’s been too hot for that kind of cooking all summer, but it won’t be long before pumpkin bread and pecan pies are back on the menu!
I do enjoy these updates. Who knew that a lemon tree would come back? It’s going to be interesting to follow its development. Your mention of it brought back a song from long ago: do you know “Lemon Tree”?
Thanks Linda. Good to hear you have had some cooler wet weather! Droughts sure wreck harvests. I liked hearing how you get snug with a book and have soup on the stove, very homely! I haven’t heard of that song, I shall look it up!xxx
Lemons can be feisty! I had one that I thought was completely dead after overwintering in the basement. But it came back better than ever and produced lemons that year. Also, I agree that you may be surprised with your peanuts. I have successfully grown them here in Maine–although short season varieties. Voles like them, though! Hope your October is snug, cozy, and full of veggies!
Thanks Brenda, I’m glad I didn’t compost the lemon tree, it was a lovely surprise seeing it coming back to life. I think it’s too late for the peanuts now as they are dying back. I must try planting some next spring, I’ve never thought to try growing them.xxx
It’s that time of year in the garden where we’re clearing away one year and preparing for the next. The nights are definitely drawing in, I’m not looking forward to the clocks going back at the end of the month, that really does announce the approaching winter then.
Thanks Jo. Yes, the big clear up begins now, we have tons of leaves still to fall, it’s always a never-ending job clearing them. It’s always a shock to me when the nights pull in, I’m not a fan of pitch black at 4pm either!xxx
The photo of the supermoon above your cosy house is fantastic – very Hallowe’eny! So many gorgeous veggies and I’m thrilled that your lemon tree is growing back. You may be surprised by the peanuts – my girls and I planted some years ago and were successful. Your wildflower area is going to be wonderful – I can picture you on your swing seat with a cup of tea, enjoying the blooms and wildlife. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. The candles and lamps do look Halloweeny now you mention it! Oh, peanuts success eh? I’ll give them a whirl next spring. I am hoping for wildflowers in that area, if I lash out seed enough it’s bound to work in the end!xxx
The area where you plan to grow wildflowers is looking good and I look forward to seeing the result. Autumn has certainly set in now. The produce that you’ve been harvesting will be very welcome over the coming weeks. There’s a lot to do but growing a successful crop is very satisfying. I love the description of the geese flying over and the photo of the moon – very atmospheric.
Thanks Linda, I have everything crossed for wildflowers next year! It’s soup, broth and stew season for sure!xxx
Yes, Autumn does seem to be here, out walking the other day the fallen leaves were making a wonderful crunching sound.
Your fresh produce does look nice, so rewarding. I’m sure those aubergines roasted tasted amazing.
Enjoy your October days.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan. Oh, you can’t beat crunching through the leaves, one of my favourite things to do during autumn.xxx
So glad to see that your lemon has survived, soon you’ll be showing us your crop of lemons! You have a fantastic selection of produce, you are an amazing gardener, I do like to read about all you are doing. Thank you for the photo of the geese, pink footed I presume? I loved hearing them flying overhead this time of year when we lived in Ainsdale, on their way to Martin Mere for the evening. Happy memories!x
Thanks Pauline. I’ll take better care of the lemon tree in future. Yes, pink footed geese, I love hearing them too, theyare so welcome at this time of the year.xxx
Ooh, tell me how to roast aubergines! Love all the photos and the updates. xxx
I halved mine, scored the flesh, brushed with olive oil, dried herbs and a little salt and pepper. I roasted them for 15-20 minutes turning halfway. They’re done when they are soft inside. I sprinkled mine with mint and had them with veggie curry.xxx
Hooray for Lemmy and the peanut plants! You are such an inspiring gardener!
Yes, autumn’s moving in quickly here, too, like last night: the heat went on and I was glad the houseplants came inside the day before.
It truly looks like you’ll be feasting on wonderful veggies all winter. Your gardens continue to amaze me.
How cozy your sweet home looks beneath the full moon. I imagine the 4-leggeds all curled up together. I hope your autumn will be safe and merry. Love to all. XO
Thanks Kitty. We have our heating on too, there sure is a chill in the air! Happy autumn to you and yours too! Love and hugs to all.xxxx
That is quite a batch of onions and garlic! I’ve heard garlic does better in the ground. My aunt can get them to grow in containers but whenever she gives me one, they promptly die. I think you’re right about the autumn crop doing better than summer.
Beautiful gorgeous produce! Roasted aubergines sound absolutely lovely. Have you made baba ghanoush? It’s one of my fave Mediterranean dips.
I’m rooting for that lemon to thrive! What a lovely surprise amongst the spent tomatoes.
Thanks Anne. My garlic always does better in the ground. I’m hoping to grow enough onions and garlic to last the year, my summer crops have been awful for years yet the autumn one is always a success. I really must give baba ghanoush a whirl, I never had it, sounds like I’m missing out! A lovely surprise indeedy, it’s going to get a lot of tlc from now on.xxx