The last of the potatoes and some of the carrots (author’s photo)

Late October in the garden

Harvest time and autumn colours

The leaves are turning yellow, orange and red and it is time to harvest the last of the potatoes and start to think about winter preparations. All those leaves that fall now will provide good coverage to the many spring bulbs that went into the ground over the past week.

The nasturtiums keep flowering (author’s photo)

There are still some roses left, even some buds, but temperatures are very close to 0°C at night, so we shall see if they continue to defy the weather. I also wanted to show you these stubborn nasturtiums — they have been slow to flower and now suddenly at the end of October, they have decided to delight me with several flowers at my seat under the apple tree.

Another new flower appeared three days ago (author’s photo)

Almost all of the trees and bushes have changed colour over the past three weeks, the hedge now sporting yellow and red leaves, and below it is the wisteria with its yellow leaves. The plum trees and the pear tree have lost theirs already, and the magnolia has turned reddish-brown.

The wisteria at the front of the garden is now sporting yellow leaves against a blue autumn sky (author’s photo)

In other parts of the garden, the hydrangea climber has turned yellow, as well, whereas the blueberry bush sports wonderful red leaves, contrasting spectacularly with a very tired sunflower.

Yellow-toned hydrangea climber, now ready with bird seeds (author’s photo), and a tired sunflower leaning on the blueberry bush — with one berry left (author's photo)

The roses behind the house are still blooming, perhaps protected by the house on a south-facing wall (author’s photos)

The low temperatures provide for beautiful sunsets whenever the sky is clear and it is time to wish the garden good night after a day full of chores, surrounded by those vibrant colours and surprising flowers.

Sunset against a clear, crisp sky (author’s photo)