Dark and dismal November

The days are shortening fast and good daylight is at a premium. When did we last see the sun for more than 5 minutes? Still, there’s plenty to do outside and we have spent the past month emptying the wire bins of leaves to build the new compost bins behind the house, mixed in layers with the now rotting grass cuttings. We’ve also planted lots more narcissus bulbs around the garden, tidied up the daffodil lawn after the final strim, covered the vegetable patch with manure and are just starting on the leaves.

On Thursday Becky and Mike cut back the ivy above the pond, working off ladders. There is a problem with water retention in the pond- we shall have a good look while water levels are low.

It’s lovely to see the meconopsis rosettes looking good where I’ve planted them out for next spring- they generally survive if planted early enough. Also the late flowering Japanese saxifrages which are beginning to spread. Still a few trees, acers, sorbus and enkianthus turning colour and they brighten our day.