18th September 2022

Welcome

The nights are drawing in and the weather is definitely autumnal. Very strong winds have caused some of the trees in the Orchard to drop their fruit but the rain has been most welcome.

In the Vegetable Garden we have dug the potatoes and some of the carrot and beetroot. The beans are over but we still have spinach and chard. The pointed cabbage splits when it gets to a certain size and the squash were grown under the protection of the sweet corn and are now ready to harvest.

Outside tomatoes are still producing and the Greenhouse has tomatoes and peppers with the onions on the bench drying off. Raspberries are cropping and the apples and pears have bumper crops and we will soon be juicing them.

The Iris bed is being lifted, cleaned and replanted

The Dell has a mass of brightly coloured Cyclamen under the Chesnuts and for those who don’t want to walk around the Fish Ponds there is a seat at the end of the path from where they can see most of the 5 ponds.

The Autumn Border is colouring up with the Asters and Dahlias and the Hydrangea are enjoying the shade along the path in the water Garden.

The West lawn is a riot of colour and the Oleander in pots beside the Moat continue to flower amongst the Verbena Bonariensis which is at full strength.

Looking across the Moat the shrubbery has been planted with aubergine and yellow plants and the large conical tree that you will see is the Golden Alder or Alnus incana aurea whose stems turn gold for Winter interest with bright red catkins appearing in the Spring.

The Swans are still with us. The sheep (Hebridean) enjoyed their visit to the Car park to mow the grass and are now back in the water Meadow and the Geese continue to patrol the Fish Ponds. Lots of squirrels in the garden at the moment and the moles are back!!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker