Six on Saturday - 26 September 2020

This past week has definitely seen a change to more autumnal weather, with a little rain, winds and much cooler temperatures.  We must fete what beauties remain because who knows what next week, or month may bring. The Prop has some classic autumn specials. 

(1) Sedum spectabile Autumn Joy now has a little space with surrounding perennials cut back a little. I feel that it is a little later flowering this year.  A standard garden plant but still a good doer, and worth having at least one clump. On its left is Aster amellus King George...one which will be divided this year. This year I seem to be cutting back and dividing plants rather early.

(2) Will this be the last cucumber?  Having planted some seed earlier this year, rather late, and growing cucumber for the first time in many years.  I picked my first cucumber on the 1st of August, and with luck will have ones to pick up to the end of September.  Just two months of cucumbers doesn't seem very long, but I have enjoyed growing them, and they have been delicious.  I had thought the plants were giving up about three weeks ago with yellowing leaves, but a good dose of liquid feed  has seen green up then put on new growth and hopefully there will be a few more fruit, should frosts keep away.  They are growing on the outside against the conservatory, and have been holding up its autumn clean down.  You should have seen the look on Mr S's face when I suggested moving them into the conservatory, all I can say it that is not going to happen! Next year I shall sow seeds earlier.

(3) One of the 'Perennial Runner Bean' plants after a cut back of the fruiting stems, and very old leaves, thinks it is a young one again, and is setting beans even better than mid summer.

(4) French Beans: it is very nearly curtains for them.  I've left a few stems and should the very cold weather hold off, a few setting flowers should yield a few beans to add to stir fries. On the whole I grow beans for the young tender pods.  A few that were too high, or the back got away. I wasn't going to throw the beans with seeds away, and  have been cooked them whilst tender, and frozen them down ready to add to casseroles during the winter. 

(5) I could not stop: gone too far? Only time will tell.  .

The Artemisia Powis Castle had grown rather too well.  It is the ideal plant for the hot dry sloping front garden, but I had concerns about its ability to cope with a wet and windy winter ahead.  I went out merely to trim it back a little.

The smell was divine.  A few cuttings were taken as an insurance against its demise.

(6) Dahlia: just the one in the garden.

Dahlia Gallery Art Fair has been hearing all about the wonderful specimens that having been growing in Six on Saturday's gardens, such as  The Prop's magnificent Dahlia Karma Corona. We don't often talk aloud: we use a form of telepathy.  Don't ask!  However Dahlia's rescue from the garden to the tub, has worked.  It is in full view and therefore can receive all the attention it needs: watering, feeding, dead heading, blackfly squished etc.  It is certainly a 'high maintenance' plant.