Battling the elements in the garden during a very wet November

I mentioned in my post of late October that I would be planting my Narcissi Paperwhite bulbs in the hope they would be in bloom indoors for Christmas.  A delicate Narcissi they actually don't do very well outdoors in the UK, it is native to the Mediterranean, but will grow happily in a pot indoors and, in theory, if sowed that last weekend of October should be in flower for Christmas - flowers 8-10 weeks after planting. The first flower bloomed 30th November, just four-and-a-half weeks after I popped them in the pot! All being well there are plenty more of the delicate little flowers to come, and I am tole they last some time, so fingers crossed they can still form part of the centrepiece for the Christmas table. 

Confession time, I am behind where I wanted to be clearing the plot and generally tidying up for winter. Late October and November have been wet to say the least, and it has been difficult to find the time to get all the jobs done in such rubbish conditions. I don't know about you, but I much prefer a crisp chilly day than one when it is tipping down with rain and it is so much easier to get jobs done in the cold rather than the wet. Fingers crossed it might be a bit drier over the coming days. I need to clear the last remnants of the Tomato plants from the Greenhouse and give that a thorough clean inside so I can house the various Agapanthus in their pots in there over the winter, the French Lavender in its pot has already been moved in, thankfully before the torrential downpours we had, as that would not have enjoyed the conditions at all. This is at least one job I can do despite the rain. 

The Leeks, Carrots and Parsnips on the Veg Patch all seem happy enough, a couple of the Leeks have gone somewhat lopsided in the wet soil, but they'll be fine and are easily stood up to attention again with a little soil packed around them to keep then upright. Ironically, I was hoping to test the winter hardiness of the Eskimo Carrots but there is more chance of them floating off into next doors garden than getting frozen into the soil at the moment! 

The leaves are falling at a rate of knots at the moment, and they will naturally be raked up and added to the leaf-mould bin though that is a job easier in drier weather than wet. The lawn is also unnaturally long at this time of year following all the rain and I may give that a light clip over as and when the sun shines or it will be knee high come next spring! 

Cheers 🍺