November days have come and gone,
The light of summer spent,
The winter solstice fast approaches
And Christmas, too, is nigh.
Well my friends, the weather is atrocious. This first photograph was taken on this week in 2016. What a difference! If it wasn't for the tree being so bare it could be a beautiful summer or spring morning, but no, this was taken in late autumn six years ago.
Fast forwarding to the present and I cannot state strongly enough how much I am already fed up with the hand dealt to us by the weather this past week. It's
been wild, wet and windy every day, with those dreaded little black circles on the weather map
indicating winds constantly well over 45 and 50 miles an hour, torrential
downpours, and plenty of hail. It certainly
hasn't been weather for going outside, and the two lovely people who have been
helping me with my garden I've had to cancel for it is not fit for man nor
beast out there.
Appalling weather aside, all is not well in the garden. Things are in bloom and flowering that shouldn't be for a few more months yet, in fact they shouldn't be in flower until May or June. As for finding strawberries in fruit I think that's unheard of. this is the price we are paying for climate change. Everything is out of kilter everywhere.
Here are just four photos of things that should not be in flower now. Violets, Verbena bonariensis, a neighbour's Cordyline palm, and some strawberries. Madness, utter madness!
On a happier note, the pink camellia seems to be absolutely chock full of blooms, I don't think I've ever seen so many so come January and February I'm hoping it's going to be spectacular! The buds are plentiful and look healthy and strong.
Until next time
Stay safe, stay well
Debbie xo
Deb, your garden is looking so different than mine. It's quite concerning to have so many blooms now! While working in our yard yesterday I didn't see a thing anywhere close to what you have there. Makes me wonder what you will have when spring comes. Your camellias will surely be gorgeous! Sorry to hear about the dreadful weather with such high winds. Hang onto your hat and stay safe, my friend. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend. I have just been reading an article on the BBC. It's says that, despite the bad weather of the winds and the rain, the temperatures are apparently quite mild for November. Consequently, we are having springlike conditions, and this could be behind everything coming into flower so desperately out of season. I'm really looking forward to seeing the camellia. It should be a riot of pink at the end of winter. Holding onto my hat! xoxo
DeleteHere everything is just looking wet and bedraggled - nothing appearing out of season. Only problem is that the grass keeps growing but too wet for my battery mower to deal with.
ReplyDeleteThe camellia planted by the previous owners right under 3 young trees died a death over the dry summer which is a shame but there was no way I could water everything
Thank you, sue. Sorry to hear about your camellia. Is it a total loss? I was told if you cut them right back into the old wood they regenerate. So if it's not too late, maybe it's worth a try. Apparently, they're tough as old boots when it comes down to it, and I think you'd know as soon as you cut into the stem whether there was still sap or not.
DeleteMost years strange things seem to happen. I think many plants were just waiting for a bit of rain and maybe went dormant during the dry summer. I don't expect it to become the norm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. Yes, strange things do seem to happen every year. However, the things that are in flower now haven't had a break. They've just kept on going all summer since May/June. A lot of people around here seem to be having the same thing happening in their gardens too.
DeleteSo sorry weather has been so poor for you recently. I much prefer autumns that are cold frosty and sunny. You are so right so many flowers are blooming early or late ie out of season. Climate change is a very worrying situation. Birds nest early too and don't always time it right e.g. Blue Tits and caterpillars.
ReplyDeleteRoll on the Winter Solistice and the start of the light returning.
Thank you, Ragged Robin. Yes, we've certainly taken a pasting with the weather and so early in the season too. I've already noticed birds trying to nest. And I'm getting quite concerned over that. It's all wrong. Bring on the solstice!
DeleteWell, if it's any consolation, our weather has been much the same as yours. Cold and windy and sometimes very wet, too. It's that season.Do your best to keep cozy. Soon the Solstice will be here.
ReplyDelete