An autumn of plenty

Nature is fickle—I assume it is a combination of factors such as sunshine, rain, frost, heat and cold in varying amounts that determine whether the grass grows much or little, how vegetables will grow and how much fruit trees will produce. I do not profess to be much of a gardener—what I like is to observe and gather.

This year we have had a profusion of fruit, starting with cherries. Usually the birds get the lot before they’re even ripe enough to pick, but this year we ate our fill, and made pies and jam. Then the mirabelles, small yellow plums, reappeared en masse after some years where there were few and far between. And greengages on a tree where I’d never seen any before.

We also have walnuts, although I saw a red squirrel skitter up the tree—there are enough for everyone.

The crabapples are the dog’s delight for a mysterious reason (they are hard and sour).

The pears are ripening slowly, as are the apples.

We still have raspberries which stain my morning yogurt a vivid scarlet.

And lovely courgette flowers—they are delicious split lengthwise and sautéed quickly with a drop of lemon. And the courgettes themselves, of course. Together with late tomatoes and green beans.

Finally, lots of flowers still. It is a delight to be outdoors, even though there’s a chill in the air.

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Author: M. L. Kappa

I’m an artist and writer based on a farm in Normandy, France, where we breed horses with my husband.

11 thoughts on “An autumn of plenty”

  1. In England, a year when there is a huge excess of berries, nuts, and friut is called a ‘Mast Year’.

    ‘A mast year is when certain nut-bearing trees and shrubs produce an unusually large crop of fruits, nuts, and seeds (called “mast”). This phenomenon occurs roughly every three to five or five to ten years and serves an evolutionary purpose. By creating an overwhelming abundance of food in a single year, trees ensure that enough of their seeds will escape consumption by predators and have the chance to grow into new trees, securing the next generation of woodland.’ 

    In our garden, there has been an abundance of acorns falling from the Oak trees, and I will soon have to sweep them all up. Best wishes, Pete.

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    2. Here, too, in the south east. We’ve got a bin that seems half full of acorns.

      And raspberries are still coming. There are still flower buds, too, and a little bee who has pollinated them is still buzzing around.

      Sadly, though, our pears and apple trees have had a poor year. 0 on the pears and only 12 on the apple.

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  2. Am smiling looking at the photos and reading your story about the current nature’s profusion ‘your way’. In faraway Australia we are at the other end of seasons currently enjoying the lengthening days and rising temperatures. Love the huge fruit tree and wish I could reach for the courgette flowers! Do enjoy 🙂 !!!

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