“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date…” and here we are again, September in our garden. My monthly horticultural update is a little late this time for a few reasons. Flora started her new school, we had to say a heartbreaking farewell to one of our beloved cats, and I started a new job recently. Unsurprisingly, the garden has had to take a back seat but, as ever, there’s still plenty going on.
What’s flowering in September?
September in our garden is THE month for cosmos and dahlias. We’ve grown three different coloured cosmos from seed this year: a lovely pale lemonade (see cover pic), a vibrant pink, and a glowing white variety. All beautiful, super easy to grow, complete bee magnets, and wonderful as cut flowers in your vases.
I’ve mentioned our dahlias so many times before but I’m very proud of them. The first two were grown from seed a couple of years ago, so I cannot remember what they are. The crimson firework explosion on the right was bought from a garden centre at the end of August, sans label, so no clue on that one either…
But my other two dahlia stars are the glorious pink Penhill Watermelon and its purple cousin, Thomas Edison. Both grown from tubers, which is very easy to do, for the most wonderful bursts of Autumn colour.
Our edible flower seeds are still going strong. We’ve been scattering the peach and orange calendula and blue borage flower heads in salads, and using the little chamomile for tea. As well as freezing the borage in ice cubes for our drinks – pretty and colourful, win win. I’ll definitely be growing them all again next year, and won’t need to buy new seeds either as all three are prolific self-seeders.
You may recall my bemoaning the rogue sunflower in our vegetable patch last month? Well, Godzilla is still flowering happily and as fast as I deadhead, more blooms open. It’s hard to get my head around that this whopping plant grew from one tiny seed (that I didn’t even plant!)
Over in my cutting beds, I have another interloper. Originally I scattered a few seeds collected from an unidentified fragrant wildflower growing out of a wall in Swindon’s Designer Outlet Centre. And now it’s taking over so, a little ruthless uprooting will be in order once the bees have had their fill of nectar. Tip: if you see something you like while out and about, why not collect a few seeds or a small cutting and see if you can grow it in your garden? Obviously, please don’t damage the plant in the process, but what have you got to lose?
Around our ponds is a mix of my favourite garden colours: green, white and purple. From left to right we have some pretty little Asters just opening up, the graceful Japanese Anemones, and some hardy Geranium Rozanne. All are perennials and require very little maintenance other than deadheading to prolong their flowering periods. They come back every year so are super low maintenance plants.
And last, but not least, my lavender plants are STILL flowering. This is a huge surprise as received wisdom has many lavenders over long before now and cut back hard for winter. I’m hoping mine will last a while yet as brushing past them to release their lovely fragrance is very calming. Time permitting, I might even make some lavender bags in due course, who knows… (don’t hold your breath though).
What’s fruiting this September?
Our damsons, apples, plums and peaches are all over. But we’ve still got a few wild strawberries and plenty of rhubarb. So much rhubarb in fact that I’ve made rhubarb vodka (yum) which should be ready for decanting at the beginning of December.
You know me by now, I only bother with easy recipes 🙂 Simply take 1 litre vodka, 600g chopped rhubarb, 200g caster sugar, one large Kilner, mix all the ingredients, seal and set aside for 12 weeks, shaking every so often to dissolve the sugar. Then strain the vodka through a square of muslin and decant into suitable bottles. Delicious!
And in case you’re wondering about the remaining 2 litres of gin, I’ll be raiding our neighbour’s damson tree shortly to make damson gin in time for Christmas as well, hic.
Our Poundstore pear tree is still cropping heavily and I’m about to harvest the little kiwis from a plant I bought about six years ago. I had no idea if you could grow kiwis in this country but thought I’d give it a go – turns out that yes, you can.
And I wonder if this year might be the first year we can actually harvest some figs? They’re bigger than I’ve ever seen them before. Although you’re supposed to wait until they go brown, so this might be an October harvest, we’ll have to see.
Meanwhile, our ever-prolific grapevine is groaning under the weight of all the grapes. I had to prune it again a few weeks ago as the high winds at the end of August were threatening to bring down the entire vine. But there’s still plenty to harvest for the birds (as Alan is still showing no sign of creating our own Chateau Willows label this year).
September in the greenhouse
I think the a week away in Cornwall, coupled with the heatwave at the end of August, has done for the tomatoes in the greenhouse. After I’ve picked the ripe ones I’ll cut down the remaining vines. The green fruits ones won’t ripen and I loathe chutney, so won’t be making any of that.
The cucumbers were also a big disappointment this year, we only managed 3 from 3 plants. Next year Flora wants to try cucamelons (baby cucumbers that look like grapes) because, “they’ll be perfect for my lunch box.” Forward planning at it’s best, no?
The aubergine plant, on the other hand, is storming away. I’ve never grown aubergines before and I have no idea how big this variety is supposed to get. Watch this space!
Outdoor garden jobs for September
September in our garden is a continuation of August’s jobs: daily deadheading to try and prolong the life of the flowers. And weeding, watering, plus collecting seeds for future sowings.
And as you may have seen over on my Instagram, we were kindly gifted a fabulous new hedge trimmer* from Ryobi recently. So now that the nesting birds have all fledged and flown, Alan can finish giving our hedges a seasonal trim. The new trimmer is brilliant, the battery lasts for ages on a single charge and you can angle the blade to suit for the best cutting ability. We’re so pleased with it, it’s making life so much easier.
Wildlife
I mentioned earlier about Godzilla the sunflower, and how as fast as I deadhead, more blooms take their place. Well, I’m keeping a few seeds back to sow for next year, as it’s SUCH a fabulous plant. And I’m leaving the sunflower seedheads out so they can dry out for the birds to feast on the seeds. These are highly nutritious, perfect for storing up reserves for any migratory flights or the coming winter.
Flora’s garden
Flora’s garden is looking very overgrown again. The nicest patch is around her pond, with a mix of wildflowers, grasses, ferns, and pansies. Her frogs are still croaking away happily, so that’s good news, they seem to like their new home.
And I’m thrilled that the Madame Alfred Carriere rose cutting I took this time last year has settled very happily in its new home against the fence, and underplanted with some orange Crocosmia. This was an experiment that I didn’t expect to work. I’m so delighted, and I really want to try this again with some other roses this year.
September in our garden
So that’s September in our garden, a time of shorter days and chillier nights. But there’s still lots to enjoy and plenty of seasonal jobs to be getting on with. Not least of which is starting to plan what to buy for planting over the next few months.
Rightly or wrongly, I feel I’ve rather neglected our garden this year and I do regret this as it’s my happy place, my go-to for self-care and destressing. So I want to make up for it with lots of colour, fragrance, and new things to look forward to in 2020. But in the meantime, I do hope you’ve enjoyed my monthly ramble, and I’ll look forward to updating you again next month 🙂
* Items marked * were kindly gifted with no obligation to include in this blog post.
I am IN LOVE with the crimson firework explosion. I haven’t seen that one before, but now I feel like I need that for my own garden lol
Ah, thank you so much, I’d better try and identify it then, hadn’t I! 🙂
You had me at homemade rhubarb vodka! I’m very interested to hear reports on how that turns out. I love your idea of stealing a few seeds when you see a plant you like when out and about. The unknown crimson firework explosion is so pretty! I didn’t know we could grow kiwis here either?! They look incredible x
Sophie
Well, I have made rhubarb vodka before, and it was delicious last time so 🤞 and I’m really curious as to how the kiwis will taste too, haha! X
Oh my gosh there are so many beautiful things going on in your garden! I love the look of the sunflowers they’re my favourite flowers and the kiwis look amazing!
Kayleigh Zara 🦇✨ http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
Thank you, I think the weather has a lot to do with it, we’ve been lucky! I’ll have to update how the kiwis taste next month 🙂
These are all so beautiful.
xx
val
Thank you very much 🙂
Your garden is amazing!
Thank you very much 🙂
Always love your garden updates Lisa one of my favourite regular posts!
I’ve had similar issues with tomatoes and the bloody woodlice keep eating those that are ripening 😩 however I put some green ones in a plastic bag in a dark cupboard with a banana and a little hole in and 2 weeks later they ripened a treat so maybe give that a go? Even if only good for salsa/passata?
Love the cosmos I’ve seen so many doing well this year while riding about, I’m going to get some to try for next year and more dahlias as my miniature ones done well again.
Rhubarb vodka sounds amazing, I’d try it with ginger beer
Ah, thank you so much, Gem! And for the cracking tip about what to do with green tomatoes, I will definitely try that, I hate throwing away anything I’ve struggled to grow, haha. Yes, do give cosmos a go, you get such a lot of flowers for your outlay, the seeds will last for years as you only need a few at a time. I have to say, I can’t wait for December, the vodka looks so lush! X
All the flowers! Why don’t I have a garden?! I love all the vegetables you are growing! that is something i will have in my garden when i have one!
Oh I’m definitely more of a flower and fruit girl, vegetables are far too much maintenance for me, haha!
I absolutely adore your garden posts, it makes me wish I was better with plants to be honest! Your garden is literally so beautiful!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Ah, thank you, Amie, that’s so kind. TBH everything you see is as a result of trial and error, there have been plenty of errors but they don’t photograph so well! x
Your garden looks so colorfull and nice. I would love to sit there in the sun, with a cup of coffee and a good book.
It is lovely to be able to sit outside as often as I can, although my refreshments tend to be more of the alcoholic persuasion, haha!
The dried sunflower seedheads look like alien pods. I could spend hours in your garden and not be bored. Can’t wait to try your rhubarb vodka recipe. Thanks for sharing xx
Oh they do now I look at them again, how funny! And thank you, what a lovely thing to say 😍 hope you enjoy the vodka too! Xx
Yaay Lisa!! I love love love these updates – I feel like I know your garden better than I know my own (hehehe) no complaints though, your garden is absolutely beautiful with so many interesting things going on! I’m loving the variety of different coloured flowers, so bright and cheerful, and your photography is fabulous too! I fully support the fact you are preparing your Christmas alcohol already, that is the kinda festive forward planning I can get on board with. Rhubarb vodka sounds tasty, I’d be interested to hear how it turns out 🙂 I love that the sunflower seedheads also make a nutritious snack for the birds, isn’t nature fascinating. Always nice to see Flora’s little garden too, it looks very lush and green at the moment! Also, is that a real frog on that stone? It’s HUGE! haha. Thanks for sharing lovely – always a joy to follow your garden throughout the seasons <3 xxx
Aw, Bexa, you always leave the loveliest comments, thank you so much! I hadn’t thought about the vodka in terms of festive planning but of course you’re right, how very organised of me, haha. And yes, Flora’s patch is very lush and green (aka needs weeding) but no, it’s a frog ornament, the real ones are tiny, albeit very noisy 🤣 xxx
Your garden is honestly amazing, and definitely goals.
I haven’t the slightest green finger and all I can manage to keep alive seems to be cactus and some succulents haha.
I love that you’re using the sunflower heads as food for the birds for winter – the weather’s been tough this year and I’ve noticed less berries around for them to eat.
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Thank you so much – but you’re doing better than me on the indoor plant front then, my houseplant game sucks!
I would love to have such a great garden – I loved reading about all the different things you have going on right now plant wise! Perhaps it will inspire me to start growing more produce and flowers in my garden! Thanks for sharing xx
Thank you – our garden is a result of lots of trial and error but that’s all part of the fun, I think 🙂
Those dahlias are beautiful! I particularly love the pink ones!
Jas xx
Thank you, so do I 🙂
Your lemonade cosmos is so beautiful! We have to deadhead ours everyday, but they’re still lasting absolutely ages, which is very satisfying 😁 That unidentified wildflower is really pretty and delicate; the best plants are often the free ones. I’ve just about got all our lavender cut now, and I’m saving the dried flowers to stuff into pincushions!
Cosmos are the plants that just keep giving, aren’t they? And yes, always good to go for free seeds and cuttings, nothing to lose! Good luck with the pincushions 🙂
Your garden is so beautiful and colourful! It’s great you can grow so many fruits of your own too! there’s a special deal on at our supermarket here where you get free seeds when you spend a set amount and surprisingly they seem to be sprouting so we will hopefully have something like this in our own garden soon!
Hope that you are having a great weekend 🙂
Thank you so much! And that sounds like an amazing deal at your local supermarket, I wish ours would do something similar, it’s a really good idea. I hope your seeds continue growing successfully, how exciting! X
Oh wow, your garden is beautiful, I love flowers, my Nan always had so many beautiful plants in her garden, I don’t have a garden these days, but I miss it.
And all the fresh produce growing is fantastic, I would love to grow my own food!
Lainy, BookishBitsBlog
Ah, thank you. TBH I prefer growing flowers to veg, veg take much more maintenance and are far less colourful 😉 but anything that survives I count as a win!
I love how many beautiful flowers and fruits you are growing in your garden! I never knew Japanese anemones were a thing. And the dahlias look gorgeous, I love the color!! 😍
Thank you, it’s definitely a labour of love but worth it in the end 🙂 Especially when all the colours come together! x
Homemade Rhubarb vodka? I love the sound of that! Good post, keep writing x
Thank you – based on last year, it should be delicious! x
Your garden looks so so lovely!
I’m really liking all the colours! 😊
I bet you spend hours in it.
Love Lozza xo
Thank you so much – and yes, I do spend a long time in it, haha, although not as much as it really needs! X
I’ve probably said it before and I’ll definitely say it again, but I love dahlias! Yours are so beautiful too 🙂
My sunflowers haven’t done so well. They’re only just flowering and aren’t very big.
Ah, thank you, I love them too, they’re such lovely flowers, so rewarding 🙂
What lovely cosmos and dahlias you have! Ours too are blooming but are beginning their descent.
Our one fig tree died but I love fresh figs! They are so sweet and crisp and the flavor is unique. Another thing in your garden I love is eggplant grilled or made into a delicious tomato sauce to be eaten with bread.
Thank you, we’ve been very lucky this year 🙂 Fingers crossed for our figs and oooh, that’s a great idea for the aubergines, thank you! 🙂
A pleasure!
Always love your garden posts Lisa. There is so much color in your garden. Love the pretty flowers and the veggies you grow. I can imagine you putting in so much work to maintain this beauty. 🙂 Love it.
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
Ah, thank you so much, Via, that’s so kind – yes, as you know, our garden takes a lot of work and time, but we don’t mind, for us it’s all worth it! x
I love how well your sunflowers are doing! Hard to believe how big it’s getting, and I like that your leaving the dead heads out for the birds. That’s such a great idea. I’ve never seen a flower like that ‘crimson fireworks but I think it’s a great addition to your garden, something a little bit different. If you do make some lavender bags, I’d love a tutorial!
I really need to try and i-d that dahlia, I’ve had so many compliments about if, MUST TRY HARDER… And thank you, but I don’t think our lavender bags will be anything to brag about, neither of us are particularly accomplished seamstresses, haha 🙂
Haha, nor am I, so it might be ideal! If you do ID it, let me know. 😊
Definitely! x