Bulb planter on fire (that one's for Morrissey fans)

Well, another week in Autumn has passed and it brought changing weather and warmth. Perfect time of year, fantastic light and time to get stuff done before the dark days set in. The bulbs have arrived at Heale, many, many of them and we made a start planting some in the Sundial area of the garden. Before we could start, the grass area needed mowing in order to a) define the shape of rough planting and b) allow us to see the bulbs on the ground by mowing up all the leaves.

I found bulb planting great fun but I appreciate that doing it on your own, thousands of bulbs later, it may become tedious. I worked with Michael and he did the hole making, I did the filling. I love stuff like this, a real impact will be ahead when the flowers come up, well worthwhile. We were playing with the weather a bit, do we scatter 500 bulbs and the rains come or do we wait? We did it in quick speed and I thought the planter may start smoking. We planted Tulip saxatalis mixed up with less Crocus versicolour 'Picturatus'. We also have many Alliums, Camassia, Daffodils, Narcissi and Crocus to plant too.

We spent quite a lot of time re-edging the Harold Peto Pond beds, which has several small lawns, each with ever increasingly hairy edges. Michael decided it was time to use a line and turf cutter and re-instate and define the lines. Takes time but worth it to smarten it all up.

Amongst all this, I had a bonfire (love this at this time of year), Cleaned some of the Greenhouse of Coolglass, cut some Pumpkins down, fed the Kune Kunes, chatted to some Chickens and watched the mist rise as I arrived early doors. The colours on the Liquidambar are vibrant right now and the light has a certain glow to it.

As an added bonus this week I go to go on a tour at Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, with the OldHorts group. What a place and at this time of year. We were spoilt for choice, where to look, every tree had glorious colour or form and the guide was very informative. Lots of men (why is it always men?) with tripods, setting up for the perfect shot.

 I would highly recommend a visit, big specimens planted randomly and experimentally, which was really interesting.