Two rows of leeks are all that’s left

Of my veggie plot endeavour

I’m searching for excuses

But I cannot blame the weather.

Poor planning was my downfall

That is why the harvest’s meagre

Now I need to go to Tesco

‘Cos there’s nothing in the freezer.

As Rabbie said ‘ The best laid plans----' but , for some reason I hadn’t done proper joined up thinking at all earlier this year. As a result of previous experience I was feart to start things off early and have them hammered by a sneaky sharp frost in May. As it happened we had a clear run of good weather (well – good by Ayrshire standards) and crops didn’t get held back at all. In amongst all this disorganised approach there were one or two flashes of inspiration. I grew the Italian Kale (Nero di Toscana) and it has turned out to be a success. A useful plant in that you can pick a few leaves at a time and come back for more. It tasted great as a side veg’ with a dod of butter and seasoning and is also a handy addition to a pot of soup.

Staying with the Italian theme (I had two years of night classes but still can’t get the hang of it) I also had a good result with Italian beetroot called Chioggia. According to the description on the seed packet the alternate red and white rings of this beet can be ‘an interesting talking point at the dinner table’.

Possibly true, but if you find you can discuss the merits of beetroot all the way through main course until malt and cigars then might I respectfully suggest that you get a life. [ A good cooking tip for Chioggia. To preserve the colour – peel and slice thinly. Blanch in boiling water for one minute. Drain, toss in vinaigrette and olive oil and serve with salad leaves.

The flower garden had mixed fortunes this summer. Things started well for the sun lovers such as Livingston Daisies but the grey skies eventually took their toll and, as with previous years, the Begonias have come through to brighten the borders.

I had a good day out at the Dundee Flower and Food Festival. Plant of the year seems to be the perennial Salvia. A host of cultivars were on show with exotic names such as Silas Dyson and Larasha. This plant, whether it is the ornamental herbaceous type or the evergreen shrub as in culinary Sage, originates from warmer climes such as Mexico and generally prefers dry soil and as sunny a position as possible – not easy to provide in Scotland.

However, there is one exception – Bog Sage (Salvia uliginosa) which I managed to overwinter and seems to enjoy living in North Ayrshire. Bright sky blue flowers on long stems, this will add a splash of colour right the way through to the first frost.

As usual I found the Dundee Festival to be inspirational. A glorious display of vases stuffed with flowers cut from local herbaceous borders. Anemone, Helenium, Phlox and Rudbeckia and more. A good opportunity to see how the plants look at maturity and buy young stock at the trade stalls in the next tent.

The Food Court wasn’t bad either. Enthusiastic selection of artisan bakers, butchers and jam makers (loads of them). Also a chance to see local Masterchef champion Jamie Scott demonstrating dishes using PGI lamb. A big struggle to get my wife to move along. Wham Bam, what a day.

And now the weather forecast. There is the old adage – ‘Many haws, muckle snaws’. So far I have found haws pretty thin on the ground but there has been a tremendous crop of rowan berry this year. Does the prophecy still apply?

Either way it is an ideal opportunity to make rowan jelly – a lovely golden accompaniment to Scottish venison.

Sloe gin enthusiasts (me included) were disappointed with the pickings in 2015 but this season looks more promising. I recently got a tip on taking the flavour to ‘another level’ – add orange peel and one coffee bean per jar. This apparently adds depth to the overall taste. I’ll let you know!

Now that the growing season is over you could consider planting some bulbs either in pots or in the grass sward. Barring another heat wave (unlikely) I would guess that grass has stopped growing now and this will make bulb planting quite straightforward. Mow, or strim, the area down to an inch high and remove the clippings. Nip out to the garden centre and make a choice.

If the position is sheltered go for big and bold daffodils such as February Gold or the fancy Tahiti. For more exposed areas choose the compact forms like the multi-headed Hawera, Minnow or Tete a Tete.

Now that the gales are howling in it is time to get the step ladder out and take down the hanging baskets. A bit of a shame as the trailing begonias are still looking good but a couple of days of this wind soon shred them. Make way for the winter pansies!

HAPPY GARDENING

General Points

With the weather still mild you may just have time to patch the lawn with some seed. Toughen up the grass with a potash fertiliser.

Check trees ties to make sure they are secure but not too tight after this years growth.

Good time to get on with hedge trimming and general shrub pruning.

Now that the nights are turning chilly so the mice look for a cosy retreat. Beware!