The calm after the storm.

Your colourful display of flowers looks wonderful. Let’s hope the weather settles and we can enjoy some autumnal sunny weather.

Oh Shirley isn't it sad when the weather batters our gardens and so many lovingly tended plants succumb? I have been watching the wind and rain play havoc with my delphiniums today, even though I have supported them.
I wonder what the 'critter' is that's been trying to did up your mums rose?
You've still got lots of colour haven't you? Let's hope the weather forecast for a better few days is right then you can enjoy your garden a little longer before the shorter days and longer nights are here.

Thanks Ams, temperature of up to 18 degrees for the coming few days, that will do nicely for me!

Julia, I noticed the soil on the path 2 days ago, then saw lots of Ants on the Rose stem and the Polyanthus plants. No idea what would burrow/dig down quite deep, also for what? We do have a few Magpies coming in the garden, but not sure they would have dug in there.

I took all the foliage off the Tomato plants in the greenhouse today, then all of the green Tomatoes, in the vain hope thy might ripen! After so many developed blossom end rot, I think I shan't bother growing them next year, especially as we have found a local nursery selling very tasty ones!

Shirley, your garden is amazing! Lovely to see so much colour in October 🙂. Do you have a greenhouse? Mine is my sanctuary in cool wet weather, where instead of working outside, I can quickly take a few cuttings and then retreat into cosy warmth. Just hope they take!

It looks good to me too,Shirley,but the strong winds do such a lot of damage,don't they? .I'm lucky that my Miscanthus Zebrinus are sheltered by the high Bowling green wall,and have remained upright..so far ! not any damage to anything as far as I can tell. I do like the Black eyed Susan,in fact I think I still have a packet of seeds lurking in my gardening tin..worth a try next year,maybe?
I'm looking forward to prolonging lots of plants,if the good weather holds for a bit longer..fingers crossed :o) x

Yes Sheila, I do have a greenhouse, but it will be going next year as it's definitely past its best. Not sure yet if I will replace it with a very small one, or maybe just a cold frame or two.

K, the Grapevine is about ten years old now and I have only ever made grape juice once, too much trouble for the small amount made so, like yours, they are left for the birds to enjoy.

Sandra, it's funny about the Black eyed Susan as I moved it from full sun to the shade, against a North facing wall and sheltered under the pergola roof. It has really taken off since moving it there!

It was so warm and sunny this afternoon that Michael mowed the grass, I edged it and we both then enjoyed a cuppa in the little Summerhouse. I hope the warm days last a while longer too.

Lovely shots of your garden Shirley, you still have plenty of colour to enjoy, considering how rough it was last week I'm amazed all our flowers are not laying down on the job, we were desperate for the rain but didn't appreciate the cold and high winds that accompanied it, today was actually, quite warm in the sunshine, I'm not ready to hibernate yet awhile either, quite like to spend my time outdoors, lol...

Your garden still looks lovely and you have sorted out the damaged plants really well. The weather was very rough for quite a few days and we had such heavy rain.

Our hostas were nibbled in about June I think, so yours have done so very well! Your Peace rose looks splendid and is going to be beautiful. Our forget me nots are also becoming a bit too persistent and no matter how much I try to thin them out, back they come, stronger than ever!!

And as for the leaves that have to come down I am just not thinking about those ......yet!!!

All looking good, Shirley. My asters have been flattened by the wind, too. What a year this has been!

Sue, I'm definitely not ready to hibernate yet either! Today is so grey and damp that I have had to resort to housework . . . :o(

Hi Chris, I hope you are well and not being rained upon today. The top bud on the Peace Rose has opened up today, pretty but would look better if the sun was shining on it! I have already filled one black sack with various leaves from the garden - mostly from neighbouring trees.

Anget, we gardeners really do have to be patient with all that the British weather throws at us!

Shame about the wind damage to your garden, Shirley. 😞 I've had plants on the balcony damaged as well. A big Dahlia got blown over but when I put it up again it seemed undamaged. 👍 But I'm thinking they are too big for the balcony & I don't think I'll be keeping them for another year. They also take up too much room & cast too much shade on the plants behind them.

Our balcony is very exposed to the wind & it often damages plants I have though the tomatoes further in against the windows are unaffected! 👍 Lots of green ones still to pick!

The white Petunias are proving to be much better than coloured ones that crept in & are looking awful at present! The white ones have been more compact & their leaves are in a much better condition! Lots more flowers on them as well so they should last till the end of the month. I've bought some Violas to take their place then.

It has been a strange old time weather wise..cold, wet, warm, sunny…windy too! It certainly has been a nightmare at times for the garden.
I agree, all looks well in your garden, Shirley. Lots of lovely colour persisting on through into October. Your grapes look wonderful!!!! Those birds are going to enjoy the delicious soft fruit!
I enjoyed several mild sunny days in Ayrshire, apparently missing heavy rain at home!!! Today and the next few are definitely warm here and sunny…a lovely end to my time off.

Sounds like a few changes to be made on your balcony planting.
I have a tray of green Tomatoes in the greenhouse, vey slowly colouring up, but with no sunlight today they will no doubt stay the same colour for some time. Perhaps I should put them ina drawer with a couple of red ones, I read somewhere that it helps ripening.

Kate, your visit to Ayrshire sounds wonderful! I'm off to read about it now . . . :o)

Shirley you could put them in with apples or bananas - but perhaps only a few at a time to avoid them all ripening at the same time.

I'm sorry your garden has suffered the effects of high winds but there's still a lot to see there.
I hope the netting works and your pot is left alone. I wonder what it could be that's finding it so interesting.

Happy reading, Shirley! Thank you for your interest too. x

Thanks David, I had forgotten about that!

Hywel, it is a real mystery about the digging in the barrel. Since I put netting over the Rose and the pot there has been no further damage . . . hooray!

I'm glad to hear that Shirley :)

Thanks Hywel. x

There is always " sunshine! after the storm to pick your spirits up Shirley!
I am pleased your " Lady Boothby is unharmed! I hope you were able to get cuttings! Hint hint! Haha!
I am sorry about the wind damage though!
I have a rose in a large pot with the same problem and think it is from cats, so I have put deterrant down and it hasn't happened again!

Rose, your comment did make me smile . . . and I DO have some cuttings of 'Lady Boothby' . . . very small but alive!

I am wondering if the damage to the barrel was courtesy of some Magpies as a friend had the same sort of problem . . . she actually saw the birds flicking soil out of pots . . . :o(

Wow Shirley! I hope they survive! I am keeping my fingers crossed !

Rose - me too!!