And yesterday was another burst of hail, but it didn't last long.

The Sarracenias seem untroubled by frost and hail. Some are even growing new pitchers. I'd like to put Daina's Delight beside a particularly rich dark red purpurea. And put the yellowy green ones together. I'm expecting much greater growth this year - and they're into bigger pots.

Buds on the Early tulips. I wonder what variations I'll get this year. There was a nice yellow-red last year that I know I never planted.

Anemone blanda is coming into flower and the Galanthus are still popping out in various niches as they get more sun.

I'm wondering how many of my Hosta seedlings have survived the winter. There was a nice albescent but, if it's gone...natural selection. This year I'm hoping H venusta will flower. I have Plans (which may come to ordinary.)

No sign of the doubled trumpet jonquil so far, though the leaves are through. Later? Or a resting year?

Five more bags of Z-D to spread - and the compost is nearly ready to decant. I have some gloopy patches in mind.

Soon there will be three water capture barrels in operation. Could be needed as there hasn't been a lot of rain so far - despite the Weather Events. Guilt-free watering of the veggie treats!.

So far September is moderate and spring is going on as it should. However, once the persimmon comes into flower, there is bound to be a nasty frost.

I've been digging out self-sown bulbs - mainly Narcissus - and I'm thinking seriously about the changing garden pictures I want to produce across the seasons. With the least in flower in summer to conserve effort and water.

Emptied the compost heap into various areas of the yard that haven't been fed recently. It's worth it just to see the improved production, water-holding, and plant resistance against the Invertebrate Horde. This year's pest looks that it's going to be earwigs.

The Fritillaria pontica have Gone Mad this year - and the Erythroniums. A very welcome Madness, I do say. But no sign of the Rhodohypoxis. Pan after pan showing plain brown potting mix. Patience, little gardener. All in good time.

Two free home-made 'tufa pots. Could be time to give the Aechmea recurvata a fresh start. It's coming into gaudy flower again. I do like it.

Vast amounts of weeding done and plants moved/repotted for the coming season. The Hosta seedlings mostly survived and are starting to unfurl. The plantagineas are very much to the fore - and will probably go to new homes once they've gained in size and presence.

I wonder why I'm shying away from veggie planting. I always knew I was basically a lazy gardener!

The Albuca excelled itself this year: at least 2' tall.

Everything seems to be about two weeks behind but we seem to have escaped the dreaded November dries and freakish heat waves.

A clutch of chance mollis azalea seedlings. They might come to something. And some cuttings from R johnsoniamum, and the azaleodendron.

I've been trying to track down an azalea problem I've seen - flowers look bleached and distorted. I suspect the buds got caught earlier in the snow and chilled. I think it's a kurume so it wouldn't have appreciated the weather. The two Shikos are booming and have some lovely flakes/splashes. I wish I could get more of the satsukis but mostly only gumpos are offered.

Garden growth is clearly improved by the autumn application of compost - things simply head out into the sun with very little check. Some more Z-D would be useful, too, for using in planting holes, though it can be a bit too cluggy for some things.

I am hoping the Galtonias have both got the message - and the benefit of a hefty dollop of rich compost. The leaves are on their way through - but will there be flowers? The Hippeastrums are responding...There's just Ismene and Galtonia left to persuade they are safe from upheaval and disruption. (Not quite true but I won't say a word!)