halloween pumpkins

two of this year's pumpkins carved for Halloween


Have weighed the two remaining pumpkins; the one seen here is 9lb 12oz, the other is smaller at 6lb 13oz.

blueberries

not intended as an ornamental shrub but looking like one

picked this week

getting less from the garden now. still some runner beans- maybe 2 dinners worth, the last cucumbers,5 extremely small potatoes, one radish - unfortunately half-eaten by slugs, still some rocket growing.

potatoes

set some small sprouting pieces of potatoes in the open garden a month or so ago and, as the nights have grown colder, covered the area with a cloche. these are still growing well but will have to wait and see if there are actually any potatoes growing under there.

peas and other things

the peas we've set to over-winter are now coming through - not very big yet but growing. next to them on the shelf are the pots of broad beans - the sprigs of holly are supposed to deter mice from digging them up.

have cleared the cold frame of courgette plants today - no fruit at all to be taken off.

cucumbers

taken cucumber plants out of the greenhouse today. not had any real frost but these have stopped growing and fruiting, and are turning very mildewy. took some very small cucumbers off - gherkin sized mainly

frustrated

a lovely sunny autumn afternoon spoiled by the trees outside the garden. if they weren't there we would have a lot more light, sunshine and heat not only in the garden but also in the house. we contacted the council about the possibility of them being cut down, even if only by a small amount, but although on open shared land they are apparently owned by the developers who built the properties so the council cannot help. fortunately, they will soon lose their leaves and then we will have some sunshine again.