Autumn has arrived

With a chill wind and darker nights autumn has certainly arrived. My first casualty of the frost are two potted Bolero's. The tomatoes have all been cut down and the remaining green fruits are ripening rapidly in the kitchen. Although the main crop of tomatoes were hit by blight I have still managed to get a good amount of fruit (I haven't bought tomatoes for a good number of weeks). An added bonus was the later sown tomatoes. I cut those plants down last weekend, before the frost got to them.

Peppers are starting to ripen too. There are 5 small peppers and 1 large pepper. I'm pleased to have got some fruit as least. They have certain not saved me any money though.

Sweet peas are in bloom still. I watched Gardeners World a few weeks back which said "cut down your sweet peas, they have now finished". As I move my secateurs closer I noticed new growth and though that I might wait for a few days to see what might happen. To my amazement the sweet peas have put on a brilliant display since.

I have noticed a few different birds visiting the garden during the last few weeks. 1 Coal tit and what I thought might be 4 long tailed tits. Chaffinch and blue and great tits. There is always food available for them, seeds, peanuts and water but I may try fat balls too.

The Cosmos plants have grown to a staggering 6 feet tall this year, twice as high as last year, with masses of flowers.