Tuesday 2 September 2014

Late Summer Garden

So, what's happening in the garden now we're at the very tail end of the summer? All the plums have been gathered in and the tomatoes are still  ripening and being picked every other day. I'm still making pasta sauce as this is something we eat quite a lot of and is a good way of using up lots of tomatoes. You can read about the plums and tomatoes here and here.
 
Apples are now just about ready and started to be used too. I made two apple and blackberry crumbles with some windfalls and blackberries foraged from our local hedges.
 
 
 
Here are the crumbles before going into the Aga. 
 


It's hard to tell what's in them so here's a side view.


Straight out of the oven, smelling delicious.


Look at that beautiful colour where the blackberries and apples have melded.


Better leave the culinary delights and get back to the garden. 
 
The onions have been prised out of the ground and are drying. The garlic was lifted weeks ago.
 
 
These parsnips are doing well. We had some roasted and they were very tasty but they're better left until after the frost has sweetened them. Which reminds me - we had our first frost two weeks ago!! It was -1.9 C; I don't think I remember any other year when we had frost in August. The carrots are coming on well too but they're covered to keep the carrot flies off.
 
 
Leeks a-plenty for making soup, among other things. We love leek and Stilton soup; the next time I make some I'll share the recipe.
 
 
The strawberry runners have been planted in a new bed for next year.
 
 
Late summer flowers are doing their best to brighten up the garden for us.
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 There are still poppies flowering, though not very many.


 Some things are now repeat flowering; like this buddleia and the wisteria.
  
 
 
Would you believe we even have some primroses flowering? Very strange for this time of year.


 Just look at this bee that has gone right inside the flower.


As well as flowers there are nice architectural features at this time of year too. Some lovely seed heads especially.



To prove that we're about to embark on Autumn the Virginia creeper has changed to a beautiful deep red.


I love these new shoots on the Virginia creeper.


Well that's it for the (very) late summer garden; the very nearly autumn garden. It's really hard to believe that we're into September already. I keep thinking we're starting August - have started to type August several times - and then remember that it's September.

Hope you're enjoying the changing of the seasons wherever you are. Either summer to autumn or winter to spring. I'm glad so say that I love all the seasons as they each have so many good things to celebrate.

15 comments:

  1. Beee-u-ti-ful pictures. I especially love the flowers with the insects on them. Well, I don't actually love bugs on flowers, but you get my point. Beautiful!

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    1. Ha ha! Yes, I know what you mean about the bugs. You were quick off the mark with your comment!! Thanks - good to hear from you.

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  2. I found a flowering cowslip today, and my spring anemones are flowering, too. Strange. You have an abundance of fruit and veg in your garden, I am rather envious. Our apples are ready, and we even have two pears on our young pear tree. September is rather nice, isn't it?

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    1. Yes, September is a special month for some reason.

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  3. Your garden looks so beautiful, every picture is wonderful.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  4. The garden is looking good! I can't believe it's September already, but it is! And I'm back in the shackled yoke of teaching servitude, but on the countdown to October half term!

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  5. Your garden has had a wonderful year, so many beautiful flowers still going and so much produce too. You must really enjoy it I am sure. xx

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  6. Your garden has so much variety. I'm glad you're able to use so much of your own produce, especially the pasta sauce, it must be delicious made with fresh tomatoes.

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  7. Yes please do it is well worth waiting the few weeks for it to come!
    I love your crumble!! yummy x

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    1. It's ordered so I'm waiting (im)patiently!

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  8. Gosh, you still have so much colour in your garden, and your apple tree is such a picture. Umm, crumble, my favourite pudding!
    Caz xx

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  9. We have a Virginia creeper that surrounds our place. Ours has not started to turn yet, but is so beautiful when it does. I am heading out to pick plums and grapes today. Enjoyed your garden tour.

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  10. Thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' again today Gillian.
    You are perfectly welcome to pop over whenever you like!
    x

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  11. Oh Gillian, those apple trees! Gorgeous! And then those crumbles - I could never have enough apple crumble. xxx

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