As summer turns to autumn, the shadows and golden light in the garden, seem more intense. Each year the garden drifts lazily through August and September, leading to the intriguing prospect of the mellow autumn days to come.
I always start these garden diaries by checking on my entry for previous years. So far I’m in perfect agreement with myself! 2019 and High summer meets mellow autumn
So join me for these seasons’ garden snaps and the first harvest from the potager, just as the grasses take centre stage.
Shadows and dappled light
There is a luminous quality about the late summer light, as it falls on the lush growth of summer.
The play of light on old stone walls, the dappled sunshine falling on the plants, the shadows that frame and conceal all make for a wonderful atmosphere at this time of year..
From courtyard to al fresco breakfast room
This year the courtyard has earned its keep hosting breakfast on breezy days. This main courtyard forms the main introduction to our garden and has to have a strong unchanging look throughout the year.
The courtyard garden was the first big development that changed our garden over the years. But each year I find another view on an old theme or maybe try a new idea.
The shady garden
This year I’ve developed the semi shade between our home and the horse’s barn by tinkering here throughout the summer.
The idea started with the French inspired courtyard for the Apricot bedroom entrance and over the summer this courtyard has mellowed and flourished.
Through the summer, I returned again and again throughout the day, to watch how the light fell, before deciding where to put my pots or place plants.
Now the established tree fern has been joined by a junior partner, under planted by the clump forming Colcasia esculenta (hardy to -7) And an edging of Japanese forest grass.
White cosmos have been planted borders to link this area together. They now appear to float in the shadows, romantically complimenting the lush ferns and established planting.
And elsewhere in the Ednovean Farm garden!
The Potager harvest
What is not to love about fresh produce from the bottom of the garden!
The potager garden has kept us supplied with the freshest new potatoes, green beans, broad beans, runner beans, French beans, courgettes, leeks and lettuces sweet corn! The onions have been strung up to dry ready for the winter months ahead and the last of the tomatoes have been made into deliciously aromatic chutney.
- 1 large red onion chopped
- 750 g tomatoes chopped
- 2 small eating apples cored and chopped (skin left on)
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 125 g light muscovado sugar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 250 ml cider vinegar
The changing season
Finally this year, the changing season has remained resolutely unseasonal. Gales and heat waves, interspersed with womb like misty days, dark atmospheric skies.
The autumn has brought the return of the Miscanthus grasses to dance in the borders once more. The consolation of the changing seasons.
So today I’ve enjoyed writing the Ednovean Farm garden diary whilst avoiding the 50 mile an hour gale. And the garden can wait for another day – this has been a season that loves to tease!
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