Grapes....

...anyone?

First tiny bunch from my grapevine

What a wonderful surprise.   Chris found these on my vine yesterday.   The vine was grown from a cutting of my grapevine in Stur originally given me by Mother.  I'm so glad it is doing well here.   Its sister is in a place that is too exposed to the wind.   I plan to put up some protection or, failing that, move the plant.   The cuttings were taken three and a half years ago.   This is gardening at its best, when cuttings 'take' they save potentially £ and £.   In this case, small grape vine as dry root stock would be typically £10 each...but mine cost me not a thing.

November already!

Gardening programs on TV are being wound down...no more new episodes till next spring.

But is November time to relax completely in the garden?

I think there are less daylight hours to be outside working.   As far as I am concerned there is still quite a bit to do.   Chris visited briefly this weekend and as I was showing him around the developments since he'd last visited in the spring I noticed at least 4 or 5 jobs that I should tackle.

These need potting up for a bit of winter colour

I will need to make space in the greenhouse to bring in other tender plants.   I have quite a collection of pelagoniums grown from cutting.   Gels has some too which I should collect and store for her too.  Also the fuchsias need protection from the worst of the elements.

The vegetable patch needs digging and re-planning completely.

The magnificent sweet-peas need to be removed, they really are over now.   I'll miss them but new ones next year will be all the sweeter for the anticipation.   I could sow autumn sweet-pea seed now if I want to get a head start on the season next year.   I will think about it, probably won't bother though.

The Mound needs weeding and the Marguerites need splitting.   Anyone local reading this like a few for their garden?   I discovered they will carry on flowering again and again if you deadhead them.   In fact you can brutally cut them back half way through summer and very soon a new flush of flowers will reward your tough treatment.

Marguerites in the summer

I must plant the new Buddleja and the little Black Beauty in the ground and a new pot, respectively.

L-R: Black beauty and Buddleja

Yes, there is a lot to do out there.   The weather, which has been unseasonably warm, even breaking all records on Friday, is set to drop to the more normal November temperatures this week.   Maybe some parts of Wales will get their first frost....

Meantime in some parts of the northern hemisphere some of us are lucky enough to go gathering mushrooms...yummy.   You do need to know your right from wrong ones if you do this.   I don't know enough about them to risk mushroom foraging...

Maybe a child on your shoulders is
absolutely necessary, I must ask.
(Photo from Dn
A)

It is going to be a busy week ahead in the garden.   Here is a link to some ideas about what to do in your garden this November.

Virginia Creeper in my garden this month.

Happy gardening everyone.