The fallen leaves...
So what's happened to those beautiful autumn leaves which just last week were glowing golden and red, up in the trees? They're all down on the lawns now. That was fast work! Now you see them, now you don't.
The Last Maple Tree
I've started raking. So far this week I've filled seventeen bags with (mainly) oak leaves. Not an overly difficult task, but one that indicates the imminent arrival of winter. As did the first real frost last night (my bed in the cottage was pretty chilly). Non-Gardening Partner reminds me that there are heaps more oak leaves on Duck Lawn, over the water race (he's just mowed around them).
Day One of my Leaf Raking Efforts
Yes, the garden is definitely moving out of autumn's colourful phase. It's only four weeks until the mid-winter solstice. The log-burner gets lit most mornings. Everything in the house and garden warms up by 11am, so there's plenty of good gardening time available.
I have a gardening list for tomorrow :
- Rake up Duck Lawn's leaves (but buy some more plastic rubbish bags first).
- Spread bags of horse manure (only three left).
- Trim Dahlias in Hump - try and fill the wheelbarrow three times.
Tomorrow...
I have not-so-good news. My secateurs keep on falling apart, which makes dahlia trimming rather difficult. But this morning I bought more bags for the leaves and have already filled them from the Pond Paddock. I still have to spread the horse manure, though. Forgot about that!
Jester Phormium
Two hours later...
Found yet more bags, raked and bagged yet more oak leaves from about two thirds of Duck Lawn. Seemed to take ages. Got slightly bored with raking leaves. No - got REALLY bored! But it has to be done. Came inside and put my secateurs back together, tightening the silly screw thingy. But I will need NGP to check them over. They were quite expensive ones.
Now I'm going to wash my hair and do some piano practice before going out to take my jazz choir tonight. It's only 3:30, but already getting cold. Brr...