Motivation - how do you get it in September?

I would recommend Narcissus "Baby Moon" delightful miniature Jonquil type. Absolutely beautiful scent, best in a sheltered spot in pots as it's a slug magnet.

Which reminds me I need some more bulbs.

 

As disappointing as it’s been to see plants wilt and wither this year, I find that that what Mother Nature gives us is fascinating and brings variety to life. I think about what has worked well this year so I can repeat (sowing Cosmos and Strawflowers was successful) and also planning extra bulbs for Spring so we can have some cheer after the dark Winter. Pots usually need plenty of water so this Summer has been a full time job, the only plants looking vaguely healthy (not all), but in Spring the rain will keep them watered so I’m going to do extra pots of mini daffs etc and these pots can be used for Summer annuals after that.

 

I'm lucky in that much of my garden is dappled shade, and doesn't seem to have suffered too much. Persicaria "Fat Domino", purple toadflax, achillea and geranium "Joseph Green" have all flowered well and are still going strong. In the front garden which is south facing and completely baked the ancient Hypericum bush is looking fine without any watering. The other younger shrubs are getting the washing up water a few times a week. The grass is completely brown of course; I've been cutting into that over the last couple of years to make flower/shrub beds and that will be a project for this autumn - make a couple more beds, maybe a border along the pavement edge, transfer a buddleia from the shady rear into the sun, decide on some more shrubs and possibly a small tree. It's only a little garden but I always like the look of the completely crammed ones! And it leaves less space for the neighbourhood cats to do their business too.

 

Try Anemone blanda @Tinkerton, I grow the blue one. It's fine in containers.

 

I haven't had time to think much about the garden. I've got runner beans, tomatoes, potato's and raspberries to harvest, on a seemingly, industrious scale. Despite the dry weather and very little watering our potatoes have grown enormous (normally blight stops the early), the beans have loved the warmth and all our neighbours freezers are full of them and the autumn raspberries are going mad (I'm averaging 1-1.5kg a day of fruit). The sweetcorn is nearly ready as well and I have 40 of those.

The garden itself is looking quite frazzled but I'm quietly thinking of shrubs or shrubby perennials to swap with the poor performers. I stopped growing annuals as they aren't worth the effort and want things that can establish and fare better in the long run.

 

I've got a few bulbs to plant - just tete-a-tete daffs and ruby giant crocus from the local shops. I'll put them in pots then plant out in the spring when they're growing/starting to bud (that's what I normally do, and in any case this year the soil is far too dry to even think about planting anything in it). Usually I order lots of bulbs but the drought is totally demotivating and I haven't bothered this year. Maybe next year when I've seen whether the February-to-August (so far) drought has affected the bulbs that are already in the ground.

I ought to go out and cut back some of the stuff that's gone over early, but I don't feel very motivated (it's a bit depressing out there to be honest, lots of brown) and in any case it's too hot to be outside for long today. I will look out of the window at my salvias which don't seem to mind the hot dry weather.

 

@Tinkerton the botanic tulips are made of sterner stuff than all the nancy hybrids - shorter so not destroyed by winds and they come back. I like Thalia too @BB3 and have some more on order and I have bulbs in pots that need to go out in the borders when (if) we get some decent rain - assorted alliums, narcissus and Dutch irises.

I also have a huge pile of wood chippings for doing a deep mulch but first I need rain so I can get in and weed, lift and divide and bung in some bulbs, especially in the rose garden which hasn't many for ealry spring.

The autumn daffs - sternbergia lutea - will show their flowers as soon as we get some rain too and I'll lift the oudoor tomatoes to prep their beds for some autumn sowings of rocket, fennel and coriander. Need to take cuttings of assorted salvias too as they have done very well in the heat and drought this year.

For now tho, it's just a case of watering, harvesting and crossing fingers nothing else goes crispy before the rains come.

 

I've checked online and can't see any Motivation for sale so I'm back to square 1

 

@Philippa I think you have to buy the wool and knit it yourself unless someone is motivated to motivate you.

 

The last time I knitted anything was in Primary school @BB3 and that wasn't exactly a success.

 

More Baby Moon ordered plus some more scented daffodils Yellow Cheerfulness, Erlicheer and some hyacinths.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I like the sound of Baby Moon.
So far, ordered aconites, Jet Fire daffies, Scillas and specie crocus. And bought 16 shortish dark raspberry pink double tulips in the sm, though they're not for the containers.

Addictive, isn't it? Not to mention expensive!

 

Free postage on Farmer Gracy until midnight tonight. And J.Parker's has free shipping on orders over £20 till 9am tomorrow.