November 7th

Farewell to an old friend!

We’re always sad when a mature tree has to be felled, so reluctantly we’ve had an elderly silver birch removed. It was far too close to the house and had appeared to be ailing for a while; always a worry in a strong wind. It was amazing to watch the tree surgeon climb to the top and, with chainsaws strapped to his waist, systematically dismantle it. We haven’t wasted a single bit of it. The trunk and larger branches were logged, chopped to size and are now seasoning for use in the woodburner. The rest was chipped and I spent a day moving this onto the path through the spring beds to give it all a little more definition.

Our pond is now a reality – the liner was delivered and we spent a happy weekend with our son getting it into the hole that he’d dug and then filling it with water. In one corner we dug another hole, lined it with an offcut and then backfilled with earth. This is now the ‘bog garden’ and, keen to get started I’ve already planted some hostas, a fillipendula and Dierama pulcherrimum.

In the veg garden I’ve harvested the second batch of carrots sown in the summer, along with turnips. These are a welcome addition to home-made soup. Runner beans are still cropping and I’ve frozen plenty. Parsnips have grown well; we’ve pulled a couple and will leave the rest in the ground. I’ve also planted garlic – ‘Provence Wight’ and ‘Rose Wight’. I’m hopeful it will give a good crop next year.

My Highlight

Beautiful colour around the garden, my favourite time of year.