I've just been reading Veg Plotting's post about her GMT tidy-up. The clocks go back in the UK tonight, from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and VP says she uses this as a moment to remind herself to do an autumn clear-up and square everything away for winter. I think it's a really good idea.I was pottering about in the garden today too, impelled not so much by the time change as the fact that for once - for the first time for weeks - I didn't have to do anything tedious like go to the tip, or tidy out the garage, or stack books.
There's something very calming about autumn chores. Sunshine is a bonus, rather than an expectation, and the earlier dusk drives you indoors for a cup of tea before you get over-exhausted. It doesn't matter if you accidentally stand on something or chop something back by mistake, because unless you're very unlucky, it's about to go over anyway.
And autumn chores are cheaper! In spring, there seem to be endless temptations to splurge - buying new plants and new pots to replace those damaged by frost; buying new plants and pots because, ahm, I can't resist them and so on.
Tidying, on the other hand, doesn't cost anything, and there isn't the same sense of urgency as there is in spring, when everything is growing at 100 miles an hour. I felt very virtuous as I swept leaves, cut back dying annuals and subsiding perennials, and put unused pots away in the garage for winter.
9 comments:
You're right Victoria, the tidying up has been a soothing time in the garden here at VP Gardens too.
Suddenly a couple of hours is an entire afternoon at this time of the year - it's so much more satisfying to think of it that way than the drop in the ocean it feels during the summer.
I don't tidy away everything though - there's still plenty of leaves and stems - even ivy - for all the wildlife to enjoy over winter.
WV says mightfu which sounds like Scottish for having a mighty full time of it!
Please don't mention pots. I did go back to the pot shop after Malvern and spend a fortune! They told me they are frost proof. I hope so as they are too big to keep moving!
I like autumn chores, too.
our time doesn't fall back until 6 nov. currently, the garden is covered in icy gook from our first winter storm (alfred, by name).
What wonderful autumn colours in your garden Victoria, I love the Autumn tidy up - it is a bit like re-discovering the garden, although I have not got very far with the cutting back yet.
K
Love the autumnal scene in your garden. Lovely bird feeder/light? as a focla point.It is a delightful time of year everywhere with all those rich fall colors. And yes, to go into the house for a cuppa and toast a crumpet by the fire! Do you know how homesick I can get with such thoughts.
Dear Victoria, in your words, the autumn chores sound almost romantic! I have a garden full of perennials yet. I want to clean it while it's sunny and relatively warm, but some plants still look good. I guess I will fight rains and cold again this year! You have a great week!
Your Autumn garden photo is beautiful!
Virtuous. Hmm... now there's the incentive I needed to hear. I've been avoiding garden choring but you are so right. It is cheaper and one must not be as meticulous either since the garden is more forgiving this time of year.
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