Ornamental Garden September 2006

This is the most recent bed i've managed to finish but there is still work in progress. The Choisya i had moved from another part of the garden and not sure if this is suffering some transplant stress or damage from the high winds we had...will see how it fairs.

I've still got some stepping stones to put in to the bird house. From the bench on the other side of the garden you can watch the birdies having their lunch. There's quite a few birds at the moment all singing, they aren't feeding much from the feeders at the moment as there are plenty of berries to go at.



I'm working my way around the borders and have broken them down into sections and work on a section at a time that way i get them finished and can keep them clean rather than trying to tackle it all at one time.

It's amazing how the border i planted up in the early summer has grown already, the Miscanthus Sinensis is already 4ft high and starting to spread, likewise with the Penstemon. I used Nicotiana, Geraniums and Violas to fill out the gaps for the summer and add colour. Must start edging the grass properly in the Spring. I had left roughish as i was cutting bits out for the borders.

The plants i put in about three months ago around Blackie's bench are starting to fill out too. I moved a Rose as you couldn't see the flowers and i felt that it was restricting growth on another rose. The Sedum Spectabile is now in flower and the bees love it. Been lots of bees this year but although one or two wasps not in the numbers we usually get them. The Climbing Rose is quickly covering the obelisk i popped in and i have pruned and deadheaded which has resulted in more buds forming. Still the back of the bench to plant up and this will be a memorial garden to Blackie...as her favourite spot was from this bench watching over the garden.

This rose is 'Rhapsody in Blue' and although it looks pink in the picture in natural daylight it looks a very dark blue purple in colour. It's a floribunda rose and one of the most beautiful i've seen, it also has a wonderful perfume. Very much an impulse buy but well worth it.

End of September 2006

The apples are coming along but not quite ready yet, i have four dessert cordons Red Windsor, Red Falstaff, Greensleeves and Scrmptious. They all follow on from each other which ensures that i have time to pick and eat some before having to store what's left. This is their second year of cropping and have done very well. I had some problems with earwigs earlier on in the season but thinned out the crop and ensured that the cordons were well away from the fence and haven't had any problems since. Looking forward to my first apple.

The tatties were uplifted last week and left to dry on the surface this is some of the Nicola's. These have all been cleaned, sized, sorted and put into brown paper bags for storage. Any that were damaged ie slugs or more likely my fork i use straight away.

Nicola's did really well this year with no slug damage or signs of scab. Lady Christyl's were not so productive as they normally are. Nonetheless still a good crop overall.

Blackberries and Autumn Raspberries are fruiting well, still plenty to come. The Blackberry is Chester and has beautiful flowers followed by the delicious fruit.

The Rasps are Joan J and are a primocane variety so i just snip them to the ground when they've finished fruiting. What could be easier?

I'm starting to slowly clear the beds whilst the weather holds, although had a lot of rain yesterday but nicer again today, so the soil will still be too wet to work for a couple of days.

Blackie

R I P - Blackie August 1992 - 24th September 2006.

My little cat died after a short illness. She was my gardening companion and used to sit nearby whilst I was in the garden. Occasionally checking my work as I went. We often fought over who got the cushion I kneeled on and she often won.
She will be greatly missed.

September 2006

Been a bit behind in the garden just lately as been busy in other directions. There has been a noticeable change in the day lengths too.

We had a fun day last Saturday at the Great Ness Raft Race on the River Ness in Inverness. Nessie never put in an appearance but there were plenty of strange looking creatures on the rafts. Our team 'The Hoola Honiez' came third overall which wasn't bad considering the team were stuck on a couple of shingle banks along the way. Of course i say Honey's but it was actually 3 honey's and one dame! At least they didn't fall off or sink!

The onions are still drying on the surface but a good size. Another few days and they will be ready to lift. The shallots were a good crop too.

Still picking the runners in earnest. I've eaten some, frozen a lot and still more to be picked. I'm starting to give them off now as it's a case of how many can one family eat in a year! I'm sure i'll be glad of them come the winter.

The carrots and beetroot are now being picked. The beetroot is the first sowing i made. I adore this vegetable and just boil, peel and slice it. Delicious.

The carrots are the round type as my ground is stony so these fare better. The longer ones tend to be distorted due to the stones. Last year was the first year i had grown these and i was suprised just how big they can grow. They are delicious just a bit more fiddly to prepare.