1st of October came with a surprise, a shiny, bright disc appeared up on the sky, turning today into a very pleasant and warm place. I even had to use a pretty sycamore tree leaf to protect my eyes....the bright disc was just blinding me. With my trusted shadow Her Majesty Queen Dubh took a little ramble in my garden finding autumnal treasures, nuts from my hazelnut tree, more pretty leaves, blooming strawberries that I think are the 2 timers I planted, York cabbage ready to be harvested and beans.
Even looking out the window I can see the maple tree leaves changing colours. It's amazing how autumn can turn the leaves into this amazing show, festival of colours, symphony of hues and shades of the most wonderful autumnal opera.
Some folk call it fall or season of harvest, it also marks the transition from summer to winter. The shorter, colder days are sign to trees to begin to prepare for winter. Chlorophyll is the chemical which makes leaves green, and also these are responsible for the vibrant ambers, reds, and yellows of autumn.
On the Gaelic calendar, autumn or Fómhar (pronounced FOUR) which loosely translates into harvest, starts in August. Called lunasa in Irish Gaelic, August 1st marks the festival of Lughnasadh (pronounced LUNASA), celebrating the start of the harvest.
Also autumn is the time when we start feeding our feathery beasties, others migrate to warmer countries to find food, insects and other animals gather food and start their hibernation.
Other animals, birds gorge themselves on the autumnal bounty to put on enough fat to survive winter.
11th of October
Today I saw a few goldfinches on my feeders, I'm glad to see the bufe is officially open. Daytime is quite pleasant, mild, look warm, temps between 17-11 C, nighttime is rather cold 5-3 C, with occasional ground frost. However my garden seems not to care as it still in the productive side.
Outside raised beds are keep giving me beans, and York cabbages which are amazingly sweet, crunchy and delicious when cooked and served with gammon and mash. Flowers in the flowerbed are keep blooming refusing to yield to the season and go dormant...but eventually they'll too submit to the season and bow their heads to Winter. Cucumbers in the greenhouse are stubbornly producing their crunchy, full of flavour and vitamins, delicious crop. Excellent in a salad for those whom can stomach it. I'm sure others will agree with me when I say products from ones own garden taste much better then those at the market and doesn't come fresher then these. One is blessed to have some space to grow delicious food. Fish with tank and all has been moved in the small greenhouse for the winter. They are quite happy in there, and as winter settles in I shall cover the sides of the tank with bubble wrap, and cover the top on frosty nights. Did the same last year and it worked perfectly. In the meanwhile Her Majesty Queen Dugh set herself in the top of the picnic table claiming it her spot for some vitamin D therapy.
Ive been watching the scary news about hurricane Helena and Milton that swiped across Florida with so much fury and destruction. Scary, terrible times, I felt sooooooo sad and sorry for the poor people living in the effected areas. I'm member of a few craft groups and I know a few people that live in the area, some managed to get out and others lived inland and they didn't get effected much. I was glad for small mercies. Thank goodness here in Ireland we don't have to deal with such extremes, may god help and protect those whom are effected by the fury of Mother nature.
16th of October
Today was a wet and drippy day, but unusually warm. The last couple of Octobers were this warm if not tad bit warmer.
I think this will be the last harvest of cucumbers from my greenhouse. Lovely, jouci ones I thoroughly enjoyed eating them.
With Storm Ashley brewing at the horizon, I walked around the garden to make sure everything will be all right. I discovered a few late cropping strawberries, a handful of Autumn Gold raspberries and an amazing colour pallette in form of tree peony leaf.
20th of October
Wind is becoming wild outside, yet the sun is out and its warmish. This is just a taster of Storm Ashley coming our way. Fortunately we only got yellow weather warning compared to the costal areas South - Southwest of Ireland bringing strong wind whom got orange warning. Gale force, gusty winds are expected with high spring tides that might cause flooding....yaikssss, no beach walk for us today. As I look outside I can see the strong winds already twisting, bending the tree branches across the street, tearing on the autumnal canopy, almost savagely plucking on the stubborn leaves. My window boxes are getting battered too, hopefully they'll be OK. I hope everyone will be OK and not much damage done.
My garden survived the storms, no damage, only a few branches broken, but nothing major. A few hearty dishes helped along: chicken honey stir fry and chicken veg soup with buttered baguettes.
And just like that next month is here, but before this month closes with Halloween, I'd like to wish everyone a spookalicious night, be safe, stay safe :)
All the best,
Annamaria
No comments:
Post a Comment