Autumn

Summer is coming to a close and while that always makes me a bit sad, in one way I’m quite relieved.  I’ve found this year to be a bit of a challenge with a cold late spring and the excessive heat of summer.  We’ve also had a lot of interesting new insects on the plot this year from scuttling nettle bugs to plagues of really annoying flea beetles and sage leaf hoppers. This did mean a few holes and marks on leaves but no real harm done and I’m sure it’s better and healthier than covering the plants in chemicals.

​​I’ve just got a tray or two of Angelica seeds to germinate and I’m keen to find out how they do. I normally prefer to sow in spring but with angelica seeds having a very short shelf life I thought I’d sow them very soon after gathering. So far so good:

​​I’ve also set some Hedge Germander cuttings which I’m hoping will take over the next month or so. I’m still amazed that little sticks of plant like these suddenly sprout roots. I’m sure there’s a perfectly understandable scientific explanation but I prefer to think it’s Mother Nature’s magic. 

I’m already excited about next spring as I’m making a few changes.  I’m often asked by visitors to Norfolk if I can provide plants by mail order and I’m pleased to say, from 2019, the answer will be yes.  As well as herbs I’m planning to have a few shrubs, wild flowers and perennial garden plants available online too. You will of course still be able to find me at farmers’ markets and fairs.
 
I’ve been really pleased this year to see the interest in bee friendly plants is growing.  A lot of herbs are very beneficial to pollinators but I’m also keen to promote the use of wild flowers in our gardens. Watch out for a few wild flowers amongst the herbs next year but if you’re planning your garden this winter please have a look at some wildflower seeds currently for sale in my Etsy shop.    Jemima's Garden - Etsy Shop

I'm offering a free packet of mixed Cornfield Annuals seeds with every seed order - bee friendly varieties

After a friend commented that he’d had a look at my blog “but it was all pictures of deer” and very little herbs, I’m determined to do better. To stop my blog being “all pictures of deer” you can read my nature blog by clicking on the picture, (of a deer).