Past the Equinox

 The equinox has now passed and we are truly well into autumn. This is a time of the year I always enjoy. The sun is noticeably lower in the sky and the light it casts even well into mid morning is more evocative. This week I have been able to see my breath when out early in the garden and sadly the first frosts will not be too far behind. At this stage it is all hands to the deck protecting the half hardy and even more tender plants.

However, there are still jobs to be done. Hedges at the back are all trimmed, borders need tidying (deadheading is still important) and now the lawn will require some serious attention. Sadly, this is not a job I can get overly enthused about as my success rate with the lawn is pretty dismal! But I will continue to give it my best and for the time being resist the temptation to grub up even more grass for a new border or bed.

It is also rather nice that long, ice cold beverages are now giving way to the warming mugs of coffee. Gardening is a relaxing pastime but you must remember to make time for the occasional rest break. Top Tip: build time into the "to do job list for the day" to just sit down and chill, but wait, if you can, for that 15 minute hiatus when the sun comes out. The coffee will taste that much better with a bit of warmth on your back!

My Gardening Philosophy (or reasons why I do not like gardening all the time, part 1)

Horrid little aphids have taken a shine to my achillea. Fortunately they do not seem to be causing too much harm but I must be very cautious because the long term damage is yet to be seen. Of course, I have treated the plants (along with the rest of the garden specimens) with neem oil/ soap drench. The aphid colonies are certainly diminished in size (my best guess is by about 80%) but a second treatment in about 7 days time is certainly called for. Environmental factors can be so frustrating!

Hedge Trimming

Today the autumnal weather has been a little kinder and the shears have been out to trim back the berberis and the laurel which frame the upper seating area. This is a good time for hedge work as the birds have nested and the growth is now slowing.

As you can see the rowan is in berry and the plants in the dazzle beds to the left of the photo are still doing their best. This year was my first time for cosmos, they came as a free packet of seeds with an edition of the Gardeners World magazine. I had not really appreciated what a marvellous little plant they are; colourful, easy to grow, not too fussy about situation and very long lasting. I will definitely find a place for these little beauties in years to come. If you know a plant that is more versatile and might do equally well in a Pennine garden then please let me know.

Top tip: give cosmos a go!

This time of the year when blooms are in ever shorter supply the value of foliage become that much more apparent. The monochrome beds by the terrace are still holding their own. The mouse eared chick weed does a very good job of adding the lighter/ whiter leaf colour, and the flax, hebe and ophiopogon 'Nigrescens' give the contrast. Of course, a little sunshine does help, make the most of it while we can.

My Gardening Philosophy (reasons I enjoy gardening part 4)

Grey squirrels are seen regularly 

You might think, given the previous post, that I would consider wildlife to be more of a problem than a benefit. But this could not be further from the truth, it is the joy of being outside close to nature and all the wildlife that makes gardening such a pleasure. The geography of your garden, the habitats you provide and the wildlife havens close by your plot can bring into your space a huge variety of creatures. Every rest break gives a little opportunity to be still and listen, then to look around and hopefully to glimpse something wild, natural and heart warming. "Our task must be to free ourselves. By widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." Albert Einstein.

another visitor and predator

I am sure that some people might consider it paradoxical that you might want both cats and wildlife in the garden. It is an undeniable fact that cats will both deter and diminish the population of some species. Alarmist media reports are prone to exaggerate the levels of predation, often quoting flawed and inadequate studies, such as the Peter Churcher and John Lawton research. This is based on the prey brought home by 70 cats over the period of one year, the results of which where then erroneously extrapolated for the whole of the country. The fact that the sample was entirely rural village cats and only consisted of such a very small sample makes it seriously unrepresentative. However, the media prefer to perpetuate the myth of the natural born killer. The "prey" brought home would also include a significant proportion of scavenged creatures, many of which would certainly be the victims of plate glass windows, RTAs and other non feline causes.

It is not unfeasible that Hecate and Mili will bring back a present or two. But Hecate is far from agile and struggles to manage the steps up the garden let alone chase down a rapid moving small mammal. Mili does well for her age but she undeniably has vision which is less than 20:20 so would have a difficult time catching most creatures but the odd spider should beware.

Sparrow Hawk another predator on the front lawn

More Challenges

The break in the summer weather has presented Northern gardeners with some new and old challenges. The grass has started to grow again but bald patches and badger damage now need attention.

The upper most part of the garden has seen plants with new shoots munched by the deer and the borders excavated by other hungry wildlife.

Lobelia Cardinalis ravaged by deer

Excavations in the border

The rains and wind have taken their toll on some of the plants. Anything lacking in adequate protection or staking has been vulnerable. Each year I regret not staking just a little more robustly and some flowers will inevitably fall victim to the elements.

However, a top tip do not be in a hurry to discard the fallen. It is possible to rescue some of the flowers and use them like you would any cut flowers. the gladiolus below was brought inside last week, with the addition of a little fern and verbena bonarensis it makes a passable arrangement that lasted days and days.

Hard Work

I have mentioned before in this blog that a person might work hard in the garden but it should not become hard work, that is the graft you put in should not become a chore. However, that sound piece of advice does not necessarily apply to everything. The tireless effort of all the pollinators is key to all our plots tended or natural.

the pastel bed has plenty for the industrious bee

 

To help them along most gardeners need to do very little but it is worth bearing in mind that the bees will benefit from a few simple steps (based on RHS guidelines),
~ nectar and pollen rich plants are crucial to support our pollinators, a wide range of plants with different flowering seasons does help
~ avoid using pesticides wherever possible, never spray open flowers. Preventing and reducing pests and diseases by good cultivation, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and using biological control should always be the first line of control. If pesticides are used consider using short persistent organic products. Accepting the presence of some pests can provide larval food for pollinators, for example aphids are food for some hoverfly larvae.
~ provide water for pollinators: Bees and other pollinators sometimes need to drink; having a shallow margin of a pond or a shallow dish filled with stones  filled with water will provide a safe source of water.
~ provide nest sites for bees; either make your own or you can purchase nests for solitary bees. Some solitary bees nest in the ground, either in bare soil or short turf but they will find their own nest sites
So my top tip: would be always be mindful of the needs of the bees even if this may compromise just a little on the aesthetics of your outdoorspace

Living Wall

On a recent mini break to the Wirrall, a trip we have done annually for a number of years to coincide with our wedding anniversary (37th), I was pleasantly surprised to see this example of a living wall.

It is a clever way of brightening up the urban landscape and distracting attention from the adjacent car park. Located in the village of Heswall it will have the additional benefits of improving air quality near the main road and it will help reduce the carbon footprint of the M&S by acting as insulation thereby reducing energy costs.

Vertical planting is a growing trend in the horticultural world and is an excellent idea for those gardeners who are short on space. There are numerous systems including off the shelf strips of pocket planters that can simply be hung and filled for instant effect. Irrigation systems can then be installed for a more permanent landscaping but many of the colourful displays are based around the use of annuals. Living wall art is an excellent web site for some inspiration.

At home we have a living wall that is most useful as a disguise for what would otherwise be a vertical space hemming in the patio.   As you can see from the plan it has to occupy a fair space and is planted with perennials , mostly creeping and climbing plants. Extra colour comes from the pots at the base of the wall.

Top tip: when designing your vertical planting think about the practicality of maintenance. Remember if you will need to be deadheading or trimming regularly, for the effect you desire, then accessibility will a key consideration.