3rd September2023

Welcome

With forecasts looking good for this week we are able to enjoy the first autumn fruits of Plums, Raspberries, Mulberries and Quince.

In the Vegetable Garden we are picking a second strawberry crop along with the Raspberries and Apples, Courgettes and still some Beans as well as Salad crops, Sweet Corn and Cabbage.

The Tomatoes in the Greenhouse are producing well and we also have Basil and Coriander growing there. Potatoes have been dug up and they are drying in the Greenhouse before being stored in sacks.

The Dell has its bright splash of colour from the autumn Cyclamen and the chamomile planted in the middle is slowly establishing.

In the Bog Garden our water level is very low and we have been removing the Bull Rushes which have spread amongst the Water Iris and will crowd them out if left.

The Autumn Border is coming into its season of colour and the warm weather should open the flowers on the Asters. Dahlias and Sedum are looking good and the lovely little white daisy which has seeded itself along the bridge is Erigeron Karvinskianus.

Japanese anemones are flowering well and the autumn flowers of Asters and Dahlia can be seen in the beds in the West lawn which benefit from their position in the sun. The pretty little white flowering Clematis on the Pergola is Kaiu. One of my favourite autumn plants is the Lespendeza- just by the Bay Tree. With its long branches of pink pea-like flowers this is a beautiful shrub but be aware that after being cut back it looks dead until late May so needs to be positioned carefully.

The white poppy-like flowers at the bottom of the West Lawn are Romneya and the shrubs in pots are Oleander.

The Wild garden, with its old Mulberry Tree, has had its annual cut and is currently full of self- sown white geraniums

PLEASE DON’T walk in the longer grass on the edge of the East Lawn by the Moat. We don’t like having No Go areas and there is a seat there but this area is full of Colchicum. Another name for them is Naked Ladies because the flowers appear without the leaves and it is very difficult to see the tiny tips emerging from the grass.

We are inundated with rabbits who despite having lots of grass insist on biting young plants and scraping the lawns. Numerous Rapters visit and the daily breakfast spot for the heron is sitting on the bridge (see photo in Facebook/Instagram). We have Cormorant but are very excited that the Swans have started to visit again.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker