I have never been much good at growing poppies. They still pop up spontaneously but I always think I should scattering more poppy seeds around
Saturday
Today I have been tidying up after the first of the autumn gales and planting out my new heuchera collection. These have gone along the side path under the black elder apart from the Heuchera Timeless Treasure which has gone behind the hazel arch underneath the globe artichokes.
Heuchera Jade Gloss, Black Forest Cake, Paprika & Lime Marmalade
Heuchera Paprika
Heuchera Jade Gloss
Heuchera Lime Marmalade
Heuchera Black Forest Cake
Heuchera Timeless Treasure
Ben inspected the damage from the gale and spent a lot of the day outside. He checked the catnip plants both in the Magic part and at the back of the garden and seemed to think quality was being maintained
Friday
Another day where it seems to be dark for most of the time I’m not working! I’ve now got the bike out in the new shelter locked to its steel post and padlocks on either end of the shelter I’m really pleased with how this has worked out. The shelf will be used for the bike accessories including the helmet.
Ben has spent more time in than out today but is generally around when I’m about. We spent some time inspecting the wind damage and putting things the right way up again. This weekend’s task will be a ‘stocktake’ as well as planting out the new heuchera.
Thursday
The ‘shed / bike shelter’ is roofed and gated in now so I just need to make it a bit more waterproof & add padlocks to be fully useful. I plan to add tool racks and a new bike stand. The soil pipe is back up too. It is very windy again so I expect the last of the leaves to be off now. It is also very mild.
Wednesday
Today I left work in the dark and came home in the dark! Yesterday was full moon and I took this picture of the moon on the way into work.
Tuesday
We started this morning with an hour or so of sunshine before the clouds inevitably crept in and it rained.
My next lot of plants from Plantagago arrived today, not that Ben was impressed! He was out briefly today but only on protest.
Monday
There is still plenty of blooms in the front garden - the monkshood is blooming at full rate and there are still plenty of flowers on the roses and coreopsis.
Sunday
Its still a bit damp if not actually raining. I got on with some more bulb planting - this time some tulips into the east zone. I also did a bit more gentle tidying up and filled the bird feeders up again. I remain pleased with how the back corner looks but will need to get on top of the wilderness effect.
I’ve moved the waterbutt to next to the summerhouse and fence but will probably move it back to the other side when the ‘shed’ is finished. There is quite a bit of bloom in the garden but I am a bit surprised by the spirea as its got good autumn colour in parts but is also flowering again.
Guy Fawkes Night
Its been wet and cool here today but this hasn’t put off those holding firework displays. Ben has spent much of the day hiding and is currently back under the sofa. I spent a few moments in the garden filling bird feeders and putting things back upright.
Friday
Another day when I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark - Ben spent it indoors having shot round the house in moments first thing.
Thursday
The new shed / bike shelter is coming on a pace and Ben is still not very impressed. I’m hoping to have time this weekend to sweep up more leaves to add to my leaf litter container
Wednesday
The men were here today starting work on the new shelter. I avoided going out until they were going as I didn’t want to be underfoot - unfortunately it then rained when they did leave for the day! I did though take some quick photos of some of the blooms still out. The Canterbury bells are going strong and the nasturtiums and begonias have only just got going.
Tuesday 1st November - All Saints Day
It is now very autumnal in the Magic Garden and it was distinctly cooler today too. I have belatedly bought a blue juniper which I have put in the East quadrant of the Magic part to balance out the holly in the west, rowan tree in the south and oak in the north. It is a lovely texture and made me think of Dad’s heather and juniper garden at Tulach Ard with its blue rivers of juniper.
Happy Samhain!
Today is Halloween or as we celebrate it in the Magic Garden Samhain - the end of summer & harvest.
Sunday
The clocks went back today which meant I was going to work in the light but coming home in the dark. Its stayed mild and damp this weekend so Ben has been staying local and spent most of the day indoors
Saturday
Its been raining for most of the day - not heavily but definitely wet! Ben inspected the outside world briefly and was quick to inform me that it was indeed wet!
Friday
One of the joys at this time of year is the colour in our remaining hedgerows and the continuing presence of wildflowers and scattered annuals.
Thursday
I was off today and had a chance to spend sometime outside and in the Magic Garden. I planted some allium bulbs (Mount Everest) and some dianthus.
Wednesday
The year marches on and it inevitably is dark by the time I get home from work as well as when I am on route. I’ve been sitting looking at seed catalogues dreaming already of the next season and also thinking about bare root plants.
Tuesday
I got on with some more practical things in the Magic Garden today including planting crocus bulbs in small zones around the Thyme zone while Ben watched.
I am finding some lovely rich colours still in the Magic Garden. The gazanias have bloomed all summer and are still a striking colour in the pots. My marigolds are continuing to do well at the back of the garden in the little troughs there together with the fuchsias. The alpine asters are doing well too behind the arch.
