The Joys of Autumn

The Joys of Autumn

I often think that those who wax lyrical about the joys of kicking through pretty crispy red leaves in autumn are never the people who have to clean them up! It is such a pain, although we have a rather brilliant sort of massive hoover for getting leaves up from the lawn.

Considering we live in one of the country's driest counties it's amazing how much rain we have had lately. This has made mowing the lawn very difficult although it really needs it. I did mow the front lawn as it was ridiculously long, but it looks very scalped in places now and patchy. It was too wet to do it really but I did it anyway.

Also I have just ordered and received two massive rolls of bubble wrap for insulating the greenhouse and wrapping round the large Brugmansia and Banana pots. I don't look forward to that job either.

The Cannas, Ginger, Dahlias etc are all cheerfully blooming away as it has been very mild, like sitting ducks waiting for the first frosts to blacken them, then I have to rush around cutting them back and making sure they have enough mulch around them.

Yes, it's all work at this time of year, and it seems quite sad, because everything is being put away - but without winter, how would we appreciate spring and summer? And it gives most of us a break from the tasks of summer, so we can get on a bit indoors.

Don't think I have no romance in my soul - autumn really is a beautiful time, but sometimes it would be nice if someone else did all the tidying away!

Grass and Mole Rampant!

Grass and Mole Rampant!

Well, there's a mole, well I presume it is just the one, rampaging all over the back (and the front) lawns at the moment. It is really annoying as you get hills that look so big you'd think a labrador had dug them.

He/she has been getting away with it as we have been tired out by a serious crisis with our old dog, who has been in and out of vets like crazy for a fortnight. We hope it is now over and she will survive to woof another day, but it's all been rather mysterious, so it's just a case of fingers crossed.

Whilst I did manage to get a few daffodils planted, I still have lots of alliums, tulips and hyacinths to do, although the latter can easily wait until November. The lawn, although lush and green, has been sorely neglected by the mower in chief, due to work and dog commitments. It is far too long and he has now given it a cut with the mulching mower so it has clods of grass all over the surface. That, coupled with the huge molehills, looks a not so pretty sight I can tell you.

Let's hope we can get on top of it soon, before all the beech and oak leaves fall all over it!