A Beautiful Autumn Day

Freshwinds Garden was stunning today. It began just a little chillier than we`ve been used to, but it soon warmed up. The sky was as blue as blue, the clouds were big balls of cotton wool, the sun shone and the insects were out in force, especially the butterflies.

We made a start on the compost heaps last time, so my first job was to clear the path to make it easier. I thought it was going to be a long-winded affair but it was so much quicker than expected and I even managed to begin separating nettles from chicken wire!! Not my favourite task. I have plenty of nettle stings to prove it.

When I was out of the way Steve began digging out the compost and it wasn`t too bad.

Once they are either emptied or turned, this lot is waiting to be `homed` properly. A garden this size produces a lot of waste
(which is never wasted)

We are still harvesting tomatoes from the polytunnel though our vines at home are mostly finished. And there are always stray potato plants round the compost heaps.

Here is the next clearing job.

Elsewhere round the garden, beautiful autumn colours abound.

 

My brother came on his daily 10,000 step walk so we had our welcome teabreak with him.

 

Here are a few views around the garden.

 

So after a very busy morning it was home with my usual bunch of dahlias and a snapped sunflower, for lunch in the glorious sunshine.

A perfect day.

 

 

 

Saffron Silk and Lost Mice

We meet some lovely people in the garden.

Last week we met Khushwant, a vision in saffron silk, and Alex, both very interested in the garden. We had a wander round together, collecting seeds, flowers and tomatoes. We were on the same wave-length.

In the garden at the same time were Angie and Jess. Jess had just chosen some crafts as they were going home. They told me a great story about the adventures of one of my tiny mice. They had lost it twice in Hastings but retracing their steps it was found both times. That little mouse was determined to stay with Jess.

My crafting has taken on an autumn feel.

Pumpkins, mittens, wizards and witches as worry worms, doughnut keyrings.

 

I am very influenced by seasonal colours. 

This afternoon I have been bunching up posies of dried statice to sell at the coffee morning tomorrow. They are very pretty.

The clearing jobs have begun, starting with the sweetpea row. It has been very successful this year. I have tried to keep it watered and I have fed with comfrey tea regularly.

 

It is a sad thing to dismantle the row. It kind of signifies the end of the season.

Lots more clearing to do and compost heaps to dig out.

A warm welcome to the autumn.