September Gardens

September: The long hot balmy days of summer are fading away, new school terms beckon. This is the month when we are at the threshold of the season of mists and gentle fruitfulness, just as Keats described in his poem ‘To Autumn.’  The gardens and orchards of Devon begin to bear forth their bounty, with apples, pears, plums and blackberries providing the cook with the opportunity to make fabulous sticky crumbles and pies. Autumnal roses hang with heavy heads as the sun’s strength begins to soften and its rays caress the rolling, rugged Devon landscape and coastline in a honey gold light. September is simply one of the best times to have a garden in the country, whether you are and avid vegetable gardener or a lover of flowers.

Seeking a property with a garden that enables you to enjoy the harvest of the year is on many people’s wish list - and why not - when Devon has so much it can offer to both experienced and new gardeners.  The fertile soil and fresh clear air is sought by many a green fingered person and is clearly a strong feature of living the rural life. For gardening inspirations then Caroline Quentin’s Instagram page, ‘cqgardens’ is one to follow, for gardening fun, humour and frustrations, from her simply beautiful Devon garden.  

Across the county there are numerous National Trust and private houses opening their gardens where inspiration can be gleaned and usually followed by a cream tea with pure Devon clotted cream! 

Pinneys Cottage, Chardstock. A charming 16th century 4 bedroom stone cottage with perfect cottage 2/3rd acre gardens on the edge of the village retaining wonderful character features including a Prayer Room with notation dated 1751.  Overlooking the Blackmore Vale country living doesn’t get better than this! Humberts www.humberts.com 01404 42456. 

Stone Court, Membland, near the twin villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo and walking distance to beaches and the South West Coast Path. Built in the 1970s within the walled garden of Membland Court and fully updated and refurbished this spacious house extends to over 3,000 sq.ft.  Overlooking its delightful gardens enjoying privacy and seclusion. Luscombe Maye www.luscombemaye.com 01752 872417  

Betty’s Ground. Shute. Near Colyton -6 miles from the coast. An impressive Edwardian house sitting in 3.25 acres including extensive landscaped gardens including fruit and vegetable gardens and two paddocks.  The period house has 4 receptions rooms, 6 bedrooms and a 3 bedroom annexe making it a superb family home in a quiet and secluded spot adjoining Shute Woods. Jackson Stops www.jackson-stops.co.uk 01392 214222.  

So as Autumn beckons there is still plenty to do outdoors whether visiting open gardens or putting your own to bed for the winter – soon there will be warming winter fires and home - “It’s all about coming home.”  

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