Rain, never thought I'd be saying 'not enough' but at the moment this is true. We have had some rain but the subsoil is still very dry and it looks like it may well be into the New Year before there is enough to get the soil thoroughly soaked. In the mean time there is still a lot to see and enjoy in the garden but the weed seeds have germinated with a vengeance after the recent rains.

Although the fruit has looked well, the skins have been very tough and sweetness lacking. I realised, too late, that I should have soaked the roots thoroughly at least once a month during the dry spells!

Some new asters including Aster novae-angliae 'Bishop Colenso' named after a onetime local resident in South Norfolk 

Chrysanthemum 'Suffolk Pink' a conservation plant now growing and thriving in South Norfolk.

It has been a seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness - and as yet no frost!

photographs by John Metcalf.