Garden Diary – Say hello, & sadly wave goodbye

As Monday dawned last week and we said hello to December, we didn’t realise that by the end of the week we’d be saying goodbye one of our elderly cats.

The week and month started with bright frosty days, which most of us prefer to the dark wet days that were soon to follow. The mass of berries on the pyracantha froze solid and the regular visiting blackbirds and robin had to wait for them to defrost!

Making the most of the break in the rain, the gardeners mate and I had a big weed blitz in the raised beds. The asparagus bed had the biggest make over, as we’d decided to lift the crowns, it had also become infested with annual weeds.

There’s nothing like homegrown asparagus but it’s a large perennial, taking up a permanent position. Ok if you have a large growing area.

I decided last year to re-design the kitchen garden and set about drawing it, then re-drawing it a good few times, finally settling (for now) on a plan. I was hoping it would have been done this year but unfortunately the house renovations have taken a bit longer than expected!

So, in preparation for next year we weeded the asparagus bed, and lifted the crowns, retaining one to re-plant. We then covered the bed in cardboard to stop more weed seeds from germinating. We just need to get some fresh compost to cover it with.

There’s not too much going on in the garden now, so I’ve been looking back at photos to see what really thrives as I plan what’s going into my new flower border. It’s lovely to see the bright colours of summer, you forget so quickly!

I have quite a few young perennials in the greenhouse which need an occasional spot of water. And we’re are hanging on to a few chilli plants to try and nurse them through the winter. There are a few chillies drying in the airing cupboard.

I don’t mind winter, and positivity love the trees when they’re bare, you get to see their magnificent structure. I visited a local churchyard, where unlike most people that seem to feel uncomfortable in graveyards, I always feel very calm. The stunning trees are a bonus.

Our animals are literally one of the family, part of our every day life. We feed them, clean up after them and play with them. We love them and they certainly appear to love us in return.

All our cats have loved being in the garden, whether it’s climbing trees, drinking out of the pond or just finding a nice comfy place to go to sleep.

But sadly, just like people the time seems to go so quickly, one minute they are a kitten running around like a mad thing, then flopping to sleep. The next they are elderly just wanting life’s comforts and a bit more fuss from you.

And so to the dreaded day that so many of us have had to endure, taking our beloved cat on a one way trip to the vets, leaving us with grief but holding onto all those happy memories.

Monday 1st December 2025

For 1st December, the month of Christmas 🎄 I give you frosty pyracantha berries from last week 🍒🍒🍒💙

Unfortunately the December weather is not feeling Christmassy with rain forecast all week ☔️💦☔️💦☔️

#December #1stDecember #Christmas #berries

The gardeners mate & I made the most of a dry, sunny day yesterday to blitz the weeds 🌱☀️

The one raised bed had become so overwhelming with annual weeds, so it’s had the cardboard treatment, just need some compost to go on top now. Feeling on top of things 😊#gardening #weeding

Tuesday 2nd December 2025

I prefer trees when they’ve lost their leaves, you can see their magnificent structure 🪾I also love churchyards, goes back to a childhood spent in three that were close to family houses 🪦 #thicktrunktuesday #trees

Wednesday 3rd December 2025

Taking you back to the warmth of June on this frosty morning. The amazing colour of Rose ‘Rhapsody in blue’ 💜💜💜

#RoseWednesday #roses

Thursday 4th December 2025

What’s hanging in your airing-cupboard? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

#chilli #chillies #dryingchillies #homegrown #growyourown

Friday 5th December 2025

Had to look twice at the clock this morning, as so dark.

So, whilst counting down to the 21st (shortest day) let’s look back at the flowers of summer #flowersonfriday #lupins #flowers #bloom #bloomscrolling #summergarden