28th September 2025

Welcome,

Colder days but with welcome rain there is still lots to see in the gardens

Sprouting Broccoli in the fruit cage is growing well but the Courgettes beside them have finished flowering and therefore fruiting. Squash and Pumpkins are growing fast and we place something between them and the soil to prevent contact which could cause rotting.

The Asparagus fronds are turning brown and will soon be cut down. The purple flowers of Apple of Peru and Verbena amongst them are self-sown and came in with the spring mulch.

Apples and Pears are having a bumper year. We have already made, and frozen, apple juice and the sheep have enjoyed the resultant pulped apples.

The Herb Garden has come back to life after the draught in the summer. The mint suffered badly from the hot dry conditions, whereas the thyme and sage thrived.

The Rhubarb is beginning to die back. It looks tempting but do not be fooled.

In 1993 there were two paths lined by 4ft high Box in the Vegetable Garden. The additional paths that you see have been edged  by cuttings from that Box. This year we have been affected by the fungal disease Box Blight. Where it has appeared, it has been removed and the Box treated and fed. The new growth in those areas give us hope that we have controlled it.

The tomatoes are coming to an end in the Greenhouse. We grow a variety called Marmande which is later to crop but good on flavour.

Leaves are falling form the Chestnuts in the Dell and feeding the soil which will aid the 100’s of snowdrops that will appear next year.

The Chamomile lawn in the centre of the Dell is perking up. It was planted 3 years ago to replace the large Chestnut that fell and opened up the leaf canopy. It requires on-going attention.

The pink and white flowers growing in the Water Garden are Schitzostylis – a native of South African river beds.

Pink Nerines line the wall beside the Hall and many of the roses are having a second flush.

White Colchicums are growing beside the Moat at the front of the Hall. The small yellow bulb beside the front door path is a winter daffodil (Sternbergia Lutea).

In the West lawn the orange flowers lining the path beneath the Pergola in the West Lawn are Zauschneria Ed Carmen.

At the bottom of the West Lawn the beautiful blue flowers of Ceratostigma plumbaginoides are appearing above its green foliage -which will later turn to aubergine .

Autumn is well and truly here when the beautiful Lespendeza thunbergii comes into flower. With its long arching branches covered with pink pea-like flowers it is a beautiful plant.

Owls hooting at night, horrible screeching from the Heron, beautiful Tits eating the insects-the nights are drawing in and the leaves falling- winter is on its way.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker