It is time to think about bringing in pumpkins, squashes and marrows before the frosts. Also pick and store the remaining apples and pears. We have a bumper crop of Worcestershire black pears and medlars. These latter can stay a bit longer. They are best used bletted that is a bit soft and going over as the flavour improves then. They make a lovely red jelly. The black pears like quinces can’t be eaten uncooked and both bake very well. Marmalades and jellies can be made with the quinces. Both medlars and quinces have been great favourites since medieval times.

There is still time to buy some bulbs for pots and the garden but the sooner they are planted the better except for tulips, which don’t need to go into the ground until November. Why not try some colchicums, or naked ladies, as they are sometimes known because the flowers come before the leaves, for next autumn. Spetchley Park has a wonderful display of them throughout the grounds. 

Don’t bring in the Cannas or the Dahlias until the frost has blackened the foliage, and then keep them cool and dry until next spring. We bring in the Agapanthus as soon as the tomatoes are finished.

My hanging basket still looks good so I have given it a good feed to keep it going as it is in a very sheltered position.
Check the pond and remove fallen leaves and dying water lily leaves. I am replacing my net with a new one as it has got holes and tears in it. I need this as Mr Heron shows a great interest in my fish and also to stop leaves polluting the water.
Look round the borders to see what would look better next year and what will need staking. You might be able to get end of season bargains in stakes and plants from the plant centres as they prepare to flood their shops with Christmas stuff. Cut down untidy plants and collect seeds for next year. Do leave cover for animals and insects for winter shelter by leaving some plants standing.
The nearby arboreta are beginning to look at their best with autumn colour now so do treat yourselves to a nice day out. Also looking fantastic is Picton’s garden in Colwall with their asters arguably the best in the country.

Remontant Iris
This iris called Coral Chalice is now blooming again in our garden. It is known as a remontant iris. In America from where most of these iris come they are known as rebloomers. The second blooming is usually triggered by unusually warm weather in this country and is not reliable. The time is usually August. There are only a few iris which have this trait bred into them.  Personally I don't like to see irises in the hot summer time but in October I find it a rare treat.

There are 7 acres of lawn and stunning borders at Burford House Gardens.
These sweep along the banks of the picturesque River Teme.
The gardens were originally designed by the late John Treasure in 1952 and contain a
National Clematis Collection. During the summer there could be as many as 80 clematis in
flower in the gardens at any one time, but some of these you might have to look a
little hard to find as they intertwine with other plants or trail along the ground.
There are many varieties of plants, including one of the garden's great wonders, the giant
Wisteria macrobotrys 'Burford', which in May cascades spectacularly down
the back of the house and was planted originally in 1960.
The racemes hang sometimes two feet in length.
A Georgian turfed bridge spans the Ledwyche Brook and takes you to an area of
wildflowers, trees and meadow, offering contrast to the intensively nurtured gardens
around the house.