PADRONS, LEOPARD EARTHBALL, BISTORTA

POT'S GROWING ON? 20/10/23

Our padron peppers must know their end is nigh because they are pumping tasty padrons out right now, we almost have more than we can both eat from six plants! I find the longer they are on the plant the hotter they are. If you like them mild, pick them while a bit smaller. We just sautee them and cover in a little sea salt, it’s one of our favourite dishes.

Much less edible is leopard earthball, Scleroderma areolatum, a fungus we have growing around our farm under oak trees. Poisonous but fun to spot emerging as this patterned blob, before it bursts open to puff spores into the air when it rains.

Miscanthus ‘Graziella’ has struggled to establish in some parts of our garden. The one above in our herb bed is still quite small for whatever reason. However, it’s perfectly placed to catch the light of low autumnal sunsets.

Bistorta amplexicaulis ‘September Spires’ is about a month later up here in Yorkshire compared to down south, making it more October spires. I’m not complaining, in fact I’m delighted to have this colour at this time of year! Sadly with the frosts arriving this week, it won’t last long in the colder weather. A fantastic last hurrah.

Our main garden is starting to fade to the browns and beiges of dead stems, which grows more beautiful as more plants dieback for winter. Some stems can be almost black which stand out against the lighter beige of the grasses. It’s a wonderful transition to watch, best on dry days because rain can make it all look a bit soggy.

p.s. I’ve stocked up on my books available signed from my shop ahead of the present giving season. If you’d like one dedicated to you or a friend, please just let me know as I can write whatever you’d like!