SLOWING DOWN
The garden is slowing down. The temperatures are lower, although still not going below freezing, but the plants have decided to start their Winter rest regardless. I am slowing down too, although hopefully only very temporarily, due to too much turf lifting making itself felt in my lower back and hips. So I did next to no gardening this week, other than popping a few tulips in a pot (Rems Favourite), which look lovely the feathery and flamed.
The Rose Garden has a light dusting of fallen leaves, but the oak tree has yet to dump its full load.
Among the fallen leaves was this rather striking red and black ones with its sharp claws. IT'S THE DEVILS LEAF......
or it might gave fallen off the nearby Mahonia.
Now it's confession time. Do you come to the end of the gardening year and ask yourself why didn't I plant out those hostas I bought/ pot on those seedlings I carefully nurtured/ pruned that overgrown shrub? Well this year's job that wouldn't have taken that long but still for some inexplicable reason* didn't get done, was digging up the blooming potatoes. Which are now growing away again.
* Didn't taste that nice as chips
Next up is the wonderful yellow leaves to the sycamore trees. I love how these look against the dark tree trunks.
(Note this picture may have been carefully cropped so that appears we have acres of woodland.)
Not strictly in my garden but just over the fence, there are sheep, which we love to see. The field usually just has a few horses. I had to take this photo from an upstairs window because if you try to go near them they all shout 'Quick lets hide' and they run off through the gate.
That’s all I have room for this week. All the Six on Saturday posts can be found on Garden Ruminations our new home from home thanks to Jim who is caretaking while the Propagator takes a break.
You can still make some fried potatoes for Christmas! Especially since if there were no frosts, you will be able to harvest them... Nice photo of the Mahonia taken from below
ReplyDeleteI suppose I have no excuse for not digging them up now 🙂
DeleteCyclamen seedlings from Noelle's seed nearly made it into my six this week, many superb forms amongst them. Next time. Mahonia leaves can be devilishly spiny, at least the red gives you some warning.
ReplyDeleteIt's the holly leaves that usually attack me. They are more camouflaged!
DeleteLovely photos of the sheep, makes me ache for the English countryside! We do actually see sheep here in Brussels, the urban farm puts them out to 'pasture' in our local parks and even in green spaces among some of the houses of the garden city. More potatoes for you next year I guess? My allotment is full of potatoes from previous owners and years, they are still edible.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that they put the sheep out in the parks. These ones are now grazing in the ditch (or ha ha if I'm being pretentious) which saves us a strimming job.
DeleteI am often spiked by the Mahonia leaves when I am fallen leaf picking. I have a few cyclamen too from Noelle. Fingers crossed they survive.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed they make it through.
DeleteThe Cyclamen seedlings are very cute and that Mahonia leaf/Devil's leaf is very dramatic - and spiky!
ReplyDeleteThey are so very very cute.
DeleteI expect you’ll have Cyclamen seedlings popping up everywhere now. I love the colours in the Sycamore trees.
ReplyDeletethequiltinggardener
The Sycamore are no doubt just self seeded, but at this time of year they do look so good (to me anyway) that they might have been planted on purpose.
DeleteNice little seedlings, and I hope you have some good selections there. I love those sheep over the fence, there is nothing quite as restful as watching animals roaming around a field I often stop on my cycles to watch them.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the sheep don't get moved on too soon. Hopefully the grass will be keep them going for a while, as it's still growing here.
DeleteHi Hortus, your garden has such strong lines it's delightful at any time of year and I love your view of sheep!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katharine
Delete