Autumn is one of my favourite times of year. The days are still warm but the evenings and mornings are starting to darken and cool hinting at the winter weather to come. The light softens and the garden is going from full floral glory to slightly shabby chic and if you've got a veg patch or a couple of fruit trees then this is the season that you get to see the fruits (literally!) of your labours. After the hot and humid summer my top 3 producers this autumn have got to be my grapes, chillies and Cavelo Nero.
The grape is a mystery one I inherited with my house and has gone ballistic this year! Its been pruned twice and I still have enough sweet fruit to share with everyone I know and the birds! As for the chilli, I love it! Its called 'Asian Fire' and this one has been perfect in both its abundance and the lovely heat and freshness it brings to a dish. Last but not least is the 12 Cavelo Nero plants that I planted back in September that have been the gift that keeps on giving. Cavelo Nero (also know as 'Tuscan Kale') has a beautiful dark blue tint to the leaves and you can cut the leaves as you need them (hence the plants still going strong five months later).
Sometime soon I'm going to have to find some time to clear the beds and start from scratch ready for winter but at the moment I'm enjoying my harvest, hope everyone out there has had some wins too.
Julie