7th September 2025

Welcome,

We are busy harvesting both fruit and vegetables from the garden.  The Beans have been very productive, but coming to an end. The Barlotti beans -on tripods, are left to go to seed and stored as such. Tomatoes are still producing well both in the Garden and Greenhouse. Squashes and Pumpkins will soon be ready to pick-we put supports beneath them to prevent contact between the fruit and the soil.

The Asparagus beside the Moat has been left until its feathery fronds turn brown at which time it will be cut. The Verbena and Apple -of -Peru (Nicandraphysalodes)  growing amongst it are both self-seeded and came in with our garden compost. The Figs are coming to an end after are very fruitful year.

The Rhubarb we stopped picking weeks ago, as older stalks take on a bitter taste, and this will soon be cut down. The Step-over– apples are “Scrumptious”(they are not) and this week we will be raising the height of their supporting posts to lift the apples off the soil.

The rose continuing to flower through the Ginkgo tree outside the Greenhouse is Mermaid.

Try to keep to the paths in the Dell as the Cyclamen are just emerging from the ground and easy to squash.

 In the Bog Garden the Bullrushes and Reeds were encroaching on the Water Iris and Grasses and these have all been removed.  The Thalia – with its tall purple flowering spikes has enjoyed this year’s conditions and outgrown its space. This will be divided in the Spring.

In the West lawn pink and orange are the dominant colours with Dahlia, Canna  and Zauchenaria (lining the path beside the moat). Blue flowers make a welcome sight with the appearance of the low growing Ceratostigma plumbaginoides whose leaves will later turn to aubergine.

Plants are continuing to self-seed from the flower beds into the gravel at the bottom of the West lawn. The lawn has suffered terribly from the dry hot summer and will be a major resowing job once the gardens close in October.

Do take time to see the Quince tree in the Wild garden-we have never had such a bumper crop.

Wildlife remains abundant. The widower goose now lives in the Daffodil area, feeding from the Crab apple tree, while the white duck sometimes perches on top 0f the Yew by the bridge. Go to our Instagram page for proof!!

Lynda Tucker