Having a short time away from home, the garden has decided to take matters into its own hands.  On my return I had a walk around assessing what needs to be done.  I couldn’t believe how many baby strawberry plants have sprouted from their mothers, giving me a new supply to replenish the old tired plants or give away to friends.  I have finally managed to plant out the baby kale plants.  They have settled happily because the soil is so warm still after the fabulous September weather.  I have discovered that I no longer have only one toad I have a whole family and some newts as well.  I am pleased to see them and hope they will stay to eat any slugs and snails.  My blueberry bushes have now turned a spectacular shade of red.  In fact the whole garden looks so colourful and bright.

There is a tremendous amount of berries on our Holly and Sorbus trees, which will give the birds lots to eat.  I must remember to get out the bird feeders and give them a good wash ready to fill them for the Winter time.  I had a lot of trouble with squirrels last year, they managed to take down, destroy and try to bury any bird feeder I hung up even the square ones!

I have a lot of self seeded Verbena Bonariensis that seeded into the driveway.  I moved them into pots and they are now ready to plant out into the main herbaceous border along with the Guara  Lindheimeri that I have grown.  They should settle in quickly because the soil is still so warm.   I am an avid seed collector and have been out collecting the seeds of Nicotiana Sylvestris, fennel and coriander ready for next year.  I store them into paper bags that I have brought my market fruit and vegetables in or brown envelopes or sometimes I have asked my local camera shop for the plastic film cases that they just throw away.  All are great for seed storage.