We made a quick dash to the allotment last week. It had been mostly a dull and miserable week and the allotment echoed that description. At this time of year, it is hard to imagine working on a sunny plot full of growing crops and the need to haul cans of water around. The allotment is bleak, most beds are empty and the ground is muddy and slippery under foot.
Not much gardening can take place in these conditions, but we wanted to see how our parsnips had performed.
Last year, we pre-chitted the parsnip seeds on damp kitchen roll and sowed them once tiny roots had sprouted. Due to timing, some roots were somewhat longer than we had intended. You never really know how well parsnips have grown until you lift them and so this is always tackled with an amount of apprehension. This was increased due to our different growing method. The first parsnip seemed to confirm our concerns and had produced three thin roots. Fortunately, the rest of the parsnips, that we harvested, although quite small, had grown single roots. A couple had canker, which is unusual for us, but we did wonder whether the rain had been at least partly responsible for that. There are plenty more roots to lift before we can draw any conclusions,
We also wanted to harvest a few leeks. These had been grown under enviromesh as protection from allium leaf miner which had appeared on our plot a couple of years ago. The mesh was removed as hopefully, as we head into winter, the danger of a pest attack should be over.
During our walks last week, we noticed that many of the trees had completely, or almost, lost all of their leaves. No doubt the strong winds had helped the process along. Some trees were still clothed in autumnal colours while others stubbornly held onto green. Trees tend to lose leaves in sequence with the horse chestnut being one of the first to shed. The oak and weeping willow are among those to hang onto their leaves the longest.
Lime trees are individuals, with some colouring early and some, like the ones at Nostell hanging onto their green leaves into late autumn,
The water in the lakes at Nostell shows off the tree skeletons to good effect.
One day last week, the gates to Nostell remained closed due to the danger posed by storm Debi. In the event, parts of the parkland were out of bounds the following day while rangers cleared the debris.
Signs of damage were still evident when we visited later in the week.
Ruby is getting used to the bedraggled look and races up to the bathroom whenever we come in from a walk. Just as long as it’s only her feet, legs and ends of ears that are being washed she is happy enough to cooperate.
We were happy to spot one adult swan on the main lake but won’t be content until we see two. Apologies for the photo quality, but my subject was some distance away and moving quickly. It’s not a scenario that the camera on my phone handles well.
We’ve chosen an image from last week’s blog and ordered an acrylic print to be made for our dining room. Thanks to those of you who chose favourites. We’ve been intending to add an autumnal photo to our collection for a while – a while being a couple or more years. To say that we don’t rush into things is an understatement. We finished decorating one of our bedrooms just after last Christmas and we finally put up the above picture, I cross stitched the panels years ago and they were framed individually but I thought they would be better as a panel. I was lucky to find exactly the right frame on Etsy and so my sewings have been given a second incarnation.
Finally a couple of last week’s meals. I used some of our onion, garlic and red peppers in a chicken curry.
Some of our Crown Prince squash, red onion, peppers and garlic went into a vegetable tagine. I used ras el hanout rather than the individual spices and didn’t make the tahini sauce.
As always until next time stay safe and well.
November weather is not good for gardening, Sue. You have grown some nice leeks. I like your embroideries, especially the blue bell .
It definitely isn’t Nadezda
Your cross stitches are absolutely lovely! I was thinking exactly the same thing about the leaves this morning. There is a maple up the road and also a smoke bush that are normally stunning, but they were stripped very quickly this year.
I don’t think that the wind helped CJ
Everywhere is looking bleak at the moment after the eternal rain we’ve had and are still having. Love the leeks, glad your parsnips grew well. The tree reflections are lovely as is that beautiful picture.xxx
I do like taking photos of reflections in water, Dina
The cross stitch is pretty, they look good framed all together. Archie doesn’t like this weather, he’s happy to stay indoors when it’s wet.
Ruby will go for a walk whatever the weather, Jo and if a game of fetch is in the offing even better.
Poor wet Ruby! I think you’re correct that the embroideries look good as a panel.
Ruby doesn’t seem to mind being wet, Debbie unless it’s in the shower.
It’s autumn reflected in nature.
Wonderful pictures!
Good harvest and a very delicious looking meal.
All the best for you
Thank you Maria and thank you for visiting