AUTUMN

It has kind of creeped in this year – no great storm, just a steady lowering of temperatures and the leaves slowly turning into their finest display of colour. I have just harvested the last of the tomatoes – they seemed reluctant to grow large but their embarrassment at being found out gave them away – a little tough skinned but still sweet – bless! My chillies have been spectacularly awful this year – just one plant with 5 small fruits. Basil has behaved well and hopefully will go to seed. Then I need to clear the greenhouse. Out front the sage and rosemary continue to compete, for volume the sage wins but by keeping its dignity I think the ultimate winner is the rosemary – I need to care for the thyme to make sure her larger aunts are not overpowering her. My 25 mints are diminishing fast – I think they are not accustomed to fertile soil, prefering to scrap with other plants for a grip on life. Chicory and evening primrose flourish when deprived of nurture and love! and fennel takes its chances where it can. Hopefully my roses will flourish next year – the yellow one is spectacular, hey little ones – see what you can become? And finally the apples – every other day I am making a variation on apple stew – at the weekend I might go for an apple crumble with cinnamon and ??? Apricot tree looks OK and hopefully will provide next summer, I will discipline the Mulberry Bush soon – it is getting above itself for the fruit it provides!