Garden latest- October 2-16

I missed my September garden update.   There's a reason for this.
I have been a complete sloth when it comes to the garden in September. Poor neglected garden.
Anything it has done has largely been autonomous with little nurturing from human-intervention.

There has been a constant stream of windfall red apples. They are very sweet and delicious. I've steweed absolutely loads of them with honey and frozen them for winter treats. Similarly, the pear tree in the middle of the garden has had masses of windfalls, most of which are bruised so I've salvaged what I could and stewed them up and frozen. I did try to go up the ladder and pick some first but they are largely unreachable sadly.

Over in the vegetable bed, I have had an absolute glut of tomatoes- they are tiny Cherry tomatoes- like Gardener's Delight and they are still coming. I am supposed to have trimmed off all the lower leaves like Monty Don suggests but I have been too lazy for that.

Several of the leeks are growing robust and proudly, others remain as pathetic little Spring onions.

The runner beans are still growing but there has been little fruit. A disappointment as otherwise, they look rather good.

The courgettes have been frankly pathetic.  Nothing, male flowers occasionally appear.
Finally, one of the plants turned out to be a  Butternut squash plant and it has taken over the bed but not produced much fruit, just some embryo ones which is annoying because in my Mum's garden, the same plants (she gave it to me) have produced enormous squashes...

The roses keep appearing all round the garden and it appears every time I have ruthlessly and callously hacked them back, it is all for their benefit as they return.

On the patio, I've had a fair few raspberries from the Autumn-fruiting one I've got in a pot (won't be allowed into the ground until we buy a house).  The lavender flowered and then went away. The strawberries are investigating their surroundings with several runners.

The fig tree is looking happy. The Aldeburgh mint is looking a bit sad, the peppermint is looking well and the lime-mint is still in a glass and not a pot- oops!

What's on its way?  Well, the holly, despite my best efforts, seems to be doing well, and has put out its berries.

 The littler pear tree (e.g. reachable) is fruiting and hopefully will be very to pick- do you think these are ready?

 My cucumbers showed so much promise but I've only picked one already and this one is growing slowly. all the others seemed to have shrivelled (no doubt due to neglect and less clement weather)

 Here's the current state of veg bed.

 A couple of these flowers have made an appearance.

 So, a poor show from me, but my garden is still behaving...

How did your garden grow this month?

xx