Awful weather - typical Brits talk

goldfinches

Just in case anyone wanted to use their lovely photos to try to win some gardening prizes I spotted this page while I was reading around the subject of straw bale gardening Competition Page — StrawbaleVeg UK I have posted it on the comping pages too.

I was given some split tomatoes by a friend last week and used them very successfully in a couple of recipes so although they don't look very prepossessing I don't think that the splits affect the flavour much at all.

I've just been to have a look at a public update on a redevelopment proposed for a brownfield site a little way along the river from here and was quite impressed with what they said about native plantings and flood management. There is also going to be a new bridge which will connect to the site so I'm looking forward to being able to forage there in future. Once they start digging and planting I might try doing a bit of strategic seed bombing.

Farway

Rain this morning as forecast, that's one job less today. Still mild though

Woolsery, may I have a few of the self seed toms seed? Worth a try in 2023

GF, thanks for photo link, tempting, so I'll probably have a bash

Managed to get pic of the crab apples near volunteer border, this morning, went for classic raindrop shot, hard not to

Woolsery

Farway said:

Woolsery, may I have a few of the self seed toms seed? Worth a try in 2023

Of course; exchange is no robbery. I'll be able to send seeds in about a fortnight.

Superb shot of the crabs, Farway. I think you have a good chance in that competition. I'm more of a snapper and not at all competitive, but I don't mind sharing my efforts here. However, this morning it's DB's turn....  

Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar. We see them most years and I've probably posted one previously. This is definitely not the same one though!

liberty_lily

Great raindrop shot, Farway and I love your DB's caterpillar pic, Woolsery 😁 Glad you managed to move your logs in the dry!

Yesterday's rain didn't come to much in the end...and then only quite late in the day. Today it's sunny again 😎 Earlier I had a quick mooch round the garden (completely forgetting to check out the cornus kousa 🙄) and spotted my actaea flowering for the first time....

sammyjammy

I've just come back from the South of France and am in love with Cape Myrtle (Lagerstromeia) anyone ever successfully grown it in the UK?  It would be perfect for my small front garden if I can coax it from shrub to small tree like they do, I see there is a new strain that's more suitable to a more northern climate (I'm in Sheffield).

It would be a really sunny position and could fleece it up in winter if need be.

Farway

SammyJ, I had to look up the Myrtle and can see why you're in love with it, not one I've grown so can't help there except wish you good luck with it. BTW, note from the Grammar Police I see it's Crêpe [or crape] not Cap

Love the look of the actaea L-L, very striking but not one I could grow given my conditions, normally dry & hot in summer, one to dream about I guess

Another sunny Autumn day, just right to ripen off the last of the tomatoes, I may hobble down the garden later and check out for any late Autumn raspberries, not expecting any as my canes are getting old and grotty [No further comment is required here]

Today it's the turn of the Ferline tom I have growing outside at the front, the just bunged in to use up the leftover plants one, looks like I'll get at least one to compare with the tasteless insipid inside grown one. It's about the size of a tennis ball, and not yet split

Woolsery

I only grow ordinary Myrtle. Anything outdoor that survives here has to do it without assistance. Some plants, like Cannas or the Acca, seem much tougher than their reputation suggests. Minus 15c sorted the wheat from the chaff 6 months after we arrived here!

Lily's actea seems late, but ours is in a hot spot...ooops! No wonder it looks healthier than ours.

Cleaning out the workshop today. Weather looks OK and we'll be sheltered from the North wind.

goldfinches

I spotted this virginia creeper which has almost completely smothered an ash, a hawthorn and a sycamore by the river bank this morning, makes a glorious sight at this time of year.



Then on my afternoon walk I spotted this bracket fungus, amazing colour and shape.

Farway

Nice pictures as usual GF, amazing what is around once your eyes are open & really looking

I think I'm going to have to water the large pots at the front again, never enough rain it seems, and the ripening tom won't need much excuse to split

I did hobble down the garden yesterday and picked the last of the apples, there are a million toadstools /mushrooms / fungi everywhere they look very much like mushrooms but a bit flatter, very tempting, but I'm not an expert and would like to continue taking full advantage of my pension for as long as possible. Didn't get where I am today by putting odd things in my mouth,

Photo another day

And the recent rain had trigged more runners, the last of the season, picked and in the pot for last night's dinner.

goldfinches

Farway said:

Nice pictures as usual GF, amazing what is around once your eyes are open & really looking

I think I'm going to have to water the large pots at the front again, never enough rain it seems, and the ripening tom won't need much excuse to split

I did hobble down the garden yesterday and picked the last of the apples, there are a million toadstools /mushrooms / fungi everywhere they look very much like mushrooms but a bit flatter, very tempting, but I'm not an expert and would like to continue taking full advantage of my pension for as long as possible. Didn't get where I am today by putting odd things in my mouth,

Photo another day

You did make me cackle! I'm looking forward to seeing your fungi but agree that unless you are absolutely sure of your identification you shouldn't risk eating them. I have a copy of the River Cottage Handbook No. 1 Mushrooms by John Wright and he emphasises that you should consult more than one reference book and not eat anything unless the appearance, description and identification key all agree with what you observe in at least two sources and you can give it a name. Nicholas and Charlotte Evans experience comes unpleasantly to mind.

It's still very dry here but that does suit some things very well such as these Mexican fleabanes and some ivy-leaved toadflax which I walked past this afternoon.