2025 /48 - My gardens are winding down... but birds visit!

 Whilst I am writing this, I am looking with half an eye at the Blue Tits that are investigating the bird peanut butter that I have put out for them. They have returned from their Summer residences, wherever they may be, to browse for insects amongst my balcony plants.

They will spend the winter in the bushes at the end of my street, but will come to visit my balconygarden. Then in April/ May they build a nest on my flat roof, raise their babies, come to visit the garden as soon as their offspring can fly, and then disappear until November.

I do my best to protect their food against the Jackdaws and Magpies, that also like that food, and fly up in very noisy, feisty pairs to investigate. Not that I begrudge them the food, but they are capable of gobbling up in 30 minutes all that the Tits take days to eat.

The large birds do very well around here anyway, as they are not above turning out the garbage cans along the footpaths, and I see them take snacks from the cat food bowls left out as well. As well as making the most of dog turds (ieuww!) and leftover fast food. Puck gets very upset when she sees them eating from the bowls by the way, as she is not allowed to. She thinks this very unfair.

This photo was before the latest storm, they have almost dropped all leaves by now. It always makes me a bit melancholy, that dropping of the leaves. It is beautifully sad, for it means we are in for months of grey skies and dripping tree branches. And working in the garden is a chilly, wet affair.

My neighbour's plot is looking ordered and well, as always.

Mine...hahahahaha. Oh well, I do my best!

Mind you, I managed to plant some self-seeded perennials, finally! It had been February I was able last to get a spade into to my soil! My Senecio Silvergleam had made dozens of babies in the neighbouring plot next door, which has been left a wasteland for the last year. So I dug up the largest ones and planted them along that drainpipe leading to my struggling leaky frog pond. That pipe is ugly as sin, so the Senecio will hopefully camouflage it a bit. The second benefit is that the bees love the yellow flowers. And the third pro is that I really like silvergrey foliage.

The Eucalyptus on that wreath is a good example. It lights up even the gloomiest day!

That photo is one of a series I am slowly accumulating, of doorways brightened up by plants. This one is in my hometown, where lots of people fortunately share my love of greenery. One day I'll be able to do an entire blog about those doorways.

Puck is a very reluctant model. It's hard to tell she was actually enjoying her walkies very much! 

Okay, time to call it a day. Do visit me at my website Renée Grashoff Schrijft

Have a good week, wherever you are!

Renée Grashoff