I never intentionally brought in nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus), arriving on their own somehow, but now each year they successfully swallow the plant bench here and attempt the same on the greenhouse. I thin them quite hard during the summer as they germinate, but by September their vigour is such that I just leave them alone. The garden in September is to be celebrated for its fullness of growth and it’s a time when I begin to relax about tending it and really enjoy the time spent. And so into October and there’s still plenty of colour with many plants flourishing in the mild and moist prospect that the month offers. Check out the dahlias (David Howard, Cafe au lait) never happier than now, Verbena bonariensis and Helichrysum bracteatum continue in flower without hesitation and the crimson of Hesperantha coccinea ‘Major’ is making a welcome appearance now. The mint between the shed and the roadway cut back in late August is fresh and harvestable once again. Curiously a small willow defoliated late September, its stem colour vibrant against a backdrop of green. Nigella damascena, having spilled its seed in August, begins its next cycle, although many of the seedlings will be weeded out or culled by winter weather. There are also browns appearing here and there, most notably the sweetcorn planting which I’ve not been in a rush to clear away this year.
Tend&Grow 