This short film, was made on Saturday 5 th October 2024 .

Judy and I always take a walk around the garden together at the end of my gardening visit, and find a word that we consider sums up how we feel about the garden. On Saturday , Judy chose the word “joyful ” which is a perfect way to describe this garden , as it really does provide great pleasure and happiness for both Judy and Martin.

Here are some more autumnal joyfulness images .

Black medic , continues to be a part of this joyful garden. It is a good nectar rich plant, for the common blue butterfly , and also attracts bees and moths, but needs constantly removing by the bucketful , otherwise it would swamp the surface and cause a barrier to more joyful nectar rich plants .
The same can be said for Canadian fleabane, this is removed on a very regular basis.
Symphyotrichum ‘ Little Carlow’ with Amelanchier in the background.
In a natural landscape, Gertrude would be a real sheep ( rather than ceramic) she would be grazing the pernicious weeds out , but I need to rely on my favourite tool – a hori hori
Pre hori hori
Post hori hori comes in useful for removal of pernicious black medic .
Last year , I started removing coarse grasses, which were in the top soil seedbank. In its place, I grew and then planted some Miscanthus from seed. I am quite happy with the first years results.
I often find that summer drummer , is not a hugely perennial bulb. I will be planting them by the dozen , on my next visit.
Rudbeckia Goldstrum and symphotrichum Little Carlow

I hope you have enjoyed this blog, and I hope that your garden is providing you with autumnal joy , just like Judy and Martins .

My next visit, will find me ,sprinkling curry powder along with the bulbs I will be planting – it really does appear ( so far ) to deter the mice. Do you have any useful / ingenious ways to deter rodents ?