I am rather pleased with this dramatic effect which happened when I tried combining the last dog walk of the evening with a photograph of the moon. Who knew that a torch could be so effective.
When I first read an article by Mick Kelly the founder of ‘Grow it Yourself’ about growing garlic I realised that I had found someone with a similar approach to mine. I had not known that garlic could survive here but was determined to try growing my own from then on. I have had great success until this year when both my onion and garlic crop were disastrous. This is my 2005 garlic crop seemingly very happy in the snow. Fingers crossed.
My rhubarb was also a disaster this year. In Scotland I always grew the rhubarb by the compost heap and it required no attention at all. Here, in the absence of a similar site it has suffered. I have now given it a good helping of manure and covered it in straw. As you can see It is already showing it’s appreciation.
I decided not to feed the pheasants on the driveway this year as the food drew some unwelcome rodent activity. The first day that I filled the bird tables I noticed a female standing in the middle of the drive staring at last year’s feeding site. She returned the next day. By then my feelings of guilt were becoming overwhelming that I caved in. There are now at least five birds coming to feed each day, so I can rest easy. I have a solution for the rodents, too, but that is for another day!
As always, there is a little gem providing colour in the garden despite the weather even if it is only one flower. Given my own attitude to the current weather, I can only admire these brave plants.
I think that this is a Clustered Domecap (or Chicken Mushroom) although I am always open to correction when it comes to identifying mushrooms. True to the description in WildFoodUK this mushroom is growing close to the gravel at the bottom of my drive. It returns each year in clusters of seven or more. It may be edible, but as I have never seen a mushroom ‘in situ’ that I am tempted to eat I am happy to remain ignorant.
This beautiful shrub (Slender Leafed Honey Myrtle) is wasted in Horsefly Heaven especially as this photograph was taken towards the end of November. It has a wispy appearance and the leaves have a scent similar to rosemary. I need to plant another closer to the house and away from biting insects so that I can get the benefits of its scent and appearance rather than leaving it to the horseflies to enjoy.
This is either an Earthball or a Puffball but I was too taken by its interesting appearance to think of identifying it at the time. Naturally, it had gone when I next went to look. I never have any interest in eating any fungi that are not selected by someone else, as I have a healthy respect for my wellbeing and confess my ignorance in the area.
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities in the winter in West Cork. I made this wreath using foraged materials under the guidance of Liz O’Leary at Kilcoe Studios in Ballydehob. I should be able to gather much of the material from the garden for my next autumn creation. Christmas wreathes here I come!
Another lovely shrub (Eucryphia Pink Cloud) gracing Horsefly Heaven and again in flower towards the end of November. It is too attractive to live in a site that I have to avoid for most of the Summer, but as it is very happy in the sheltered spot I will leave it be.
Details of the Eucryphia on a dull November day.
The Tree Company have been and trimmed many of the overgrown shrubs in the garden. In an effort to get shelter quickly I over planted the open spaces and completely misjudged how quickly the Eleagnus would grow. Some of them are now so high that I have not a hope of trimming them back on my own. Despite this, they have done the job of providing shelter and allowing other more delicate shrubs to grow. At this time of the year, I am also reminded that the relatively insignificant flower has a lovely scent in the evening which is more than enough compensation for its speed of growth and requirement for endless care.
This Hydrangea is causing me a lot of grief as I swither each year about keeping it. As you can see it has a beautiful flower but this turns to a horrible black cluster in very short space of time. For some reason the plant currently has a few fresh flowers and these seem to be refraining from turning black for the first time. In the photograph below you can see that it has a very attractive grey blue stem. It also grows rapidly and can be propagated very easily from cuttings. You can see why I have problem making a decision about it.
The lovely grey blue stems of the Hydrangea Ayesha.
And of course we can’t forget my constant companion. Or is it companions? I currently feed the birds in six different areas of the garden which is about an acre and a half in size. Wherever I go, there is always a Robin waiting for me. I cannot tell them apart – so how many do I have? Is it one or two following me from feeder to feeder or six protecting their individual patches. I don’t suppose that I will ever know but enjoy the constant company.