Late summer garden
Late summer in the garden is a difficult time, most plants are going to seed, the annuals have given up the ghost and everything in general is in a state of transition. In the picture above you can see the odd last ditch attempt at flowering, but mostly it is a sprawly, mixed up mess, that desperately needs attention. But I am in a state of indecision. Is now the right time to pull plants up, trim them back or just leave them till the last minute, before I need the space to plant my spring bulbs.
Bare earth, at this time of year, just invites weeds to take up residence. I know what will happen; it will get to the stage where I can't stand it any longer, and I will be brutal - chop everything back to within an inch of it's life - and then wonder what I am going to do to fill all the space.
I have already begun the autumn clear-up - the cornflowers and nicotiana have been thrown on the compost heap, the tomato plants have been unstaked and felled, and my overlarge Kolwitzia shrub, that badly needed pruning, has been despatched, waiting to go to the tip.
In a few weeks the garden will be unrecognisable, only the bare bones left, ready to start anew in the spring.
Just thought I would share this picture with you of last evenings' sunset. Amazing or what!
You start earlier on your cleanup than here. I see blooms though and I wouldn't cut anything back as long as there are blooms. :)
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
So fast? You are preparing for winter already. In my case, summer is never-ending.
ReplyDeleteI usually don't do much clearing up until the first frost, and leave much of the plot pretty much 'as is' until late winter or early spring.
ReplyDeleteThat's a terrific sunset! Flighty xx
Wonderful sunset there, I know what you mean about the fading summer, it's always a bit sad but when you mentioned Spring I cheered up immediately! Bring it on! Lovely thoughtful blog:~)
ReplyDeleteI think you have the right idea Flighty, trouble is i can't help interfering to help the process along. Maybe I'm just not as laid back as you.
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