Wednesday 28 October 2009

Autumn in the vineyards and in the garden

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The vine leaves are just beginning to turn to autumn colours.  Whereas in summer all varieties of vine have the same colour green leaves, in autumn we begin to see the patches of different varieties, some which turn yellow, some brown, some red.  It’s the most beautiful time of year here.

And in the garden …

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The olives are ripening and we’ll be picking them in a few days’ time.  The ones on the left above are Lucques, which seem to ripen later than other varieties.  The ones on the right are a different variety, but I’m not sure which one.  It’s a tree we bought in the first excitement of having the garden and we just wanted an olive tree, not worrying too much about what kind it was.

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I’ve harvested some of the dried lavender flowers which I’ll use to make lavender bags to put in the linen cupboard.

 

 

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The lettuces we planted last week seem to have settled in well and there are still a few small aubergines growing.

 

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We’ve planted out some of the tiny spinach seedlings which weren’t growing very fast on the balcony, and we’re protecting them for a few days with some plastic covers our neighbour gave us.

 

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The nights are getting colder – down to 8 degrees C – but it was still very warm in the sun for our lunch in the garden.

 

 

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Lo Jardinièr cleared the cucumber and melon plants, so we have a space next to the artichokes which is ready to cover with goat manure in the winter.  We’ll probably plant tomatoes here next year.  And, once again, this time this may really be the last butterfly of the season.  Although, with temperatures in the 20s, the bees were still busy on the rosemary flowers today.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I love the olives, though I don't like to eat them.

Michelle said...

The vines are lovely in the autumn, I noticed them turning colors here a couple of weeks ago. Lucques are one of my favorite green olives, I've never had them ripe though.

It's interesting how similar our garden experiences are right now. Today was the day to spread chicken manure and compost and leaves on an area that I want to plant next spring. Some summer vegetables are still coming in, but I'm clearing out many of them now also. The rosemary is in full bloom and full of bees also.

mo said...

It's looking good!! BUT it makes me feel guilty, my garden is definitely in need of some tlc!

sleepyduck said...

That all looks so beautiful!

sleepyduck said...

That all looks so beautiful!

impoftheyard said...

This looks amazing. Lovely set of shots. I love the autumn colours.

Anonymous said...

This looks so lovely. I dont like olives, but I just love olive oil!

Jan said...

Next year I really will save the dried lavender!

Stefaneener said...

That's a good reminder for me to go and check the neighborhood olive tree and ask if I might pick them. Then I'll have to ask you about curing!

ilex said...

Those are such beautiful olives!

easygardener said...

It took a while before I realised there were varieties of Olives. I don't know why I had a blind spot about it. Daytime temperatures are fairly mild over here - when they finally drop it is going to be a shock to me as well as the plants.

HappyMouffetard said...

The colours in the vine leaves are lovely.

Weeping Sore said...

Your post illustrates what we call year 'round gardening. I think we share your Mediterranean climate in East San Diego county, up against the mountains that separate us from the desert.
Having returned from a different climate recently, you helped me get my head back in the game. It's time for us to plant our cool season veggies. We have some lettuce and a few starts of broccoli and cabbage.
I'm interested to see what you do with your olives. I've been hinting I want an olive press to make my own oil, but not sure Tech Support Guys gets it. I have what I think might be Mission olives that look like your fat black ones. My foliage is more in the silver range than your bright green.

MaryAthenes said...

Tres jolies photos du jardin en automen !
Bon dimanche !