By the Shores of Baltic Sea

I love walking along the shore of the Baltic sea in any weather, except for rain :-) The shallow part of the Baltic sea is called the Gulf of Finland. The city of St. Petersburg is located by the gulf coast. 

In autumn, few people can be seen on the shores. Now the water is cold, the sand is damp, but this did not prevent those who like to walk along the coast to breathe in the fresh sea air.

It was windy that autumn day. The wind drove away light clouds and then blueness appeared on the sky and the sun sparkled, reflecting in the sea water. Waves rolled over the sand, bringing in seaweed and pebbles.

 

 

But suddenly heavy clouds appeared, which were ready to rain down. But it rarely rains over the Gulf and the clouds quickly drifted towards the city.

 

In such weather, there were many kite-boarding enthusiasts on the shore. They trained under the guidance of a coach. How beautiful these brave people looked, sliding along the waves on their boards and controlling their kites. I admired them. Ah, if I were younger ...

 

 

 

By the evening, the wind died down and the rays of the sun made their way through the clouds. Together with other walkers, I enjoyed the view of the water and sky.

 

 

 

I often talk about the sea and the Gulf of Finland, maybe you are interested then read here and here  and here

 

 

 

Silverberry (Elaeagnus Argentea) In My Garden

 

I will tell you a story about this plant in my garden. 

Several years ago I heard on TV a story about a Silverberry and it was said that "it can drain the river." I wondered if I should buy this plant. I had no intention of draining the river, but there was a small swamp in the garden area. I wanted the soil in the garden to be dry and suitable for other plants.

 

 

Soon I bought a little silverberry in the Garden Center. The seller said that it is an invasive plant, but that did not stop me. So the silverberry appeared in the garden and was planted in the middle of a small swamp. Poor fellow! It did not know that it had to drain a swamp and suffered in  for several years. Silverberry did not grow and remained the same small. Then I realized that it urgently needed to be transplanted to a good place, sunny and dry. 

 

Wiki: 'Silverberry (Elaeagnus Argentea) is a deciduous shrub or small tree, with simple, often silvery-scaled leaves. Yellowish-white scented flowers appear in late spring, followed in autumn by silvery fruit'. 

 

 

Silverberry quickly began to grow and bloomed in small yellow and very fragrant flowers the next spring. 

A few years later, I transplanted him again, and again it was unsuccessful. The fact was that next to it there were chokeberry bushes that took away moisture and nutrients in the soil from Silverberry. 

Last year, all chokeberry bushes were cut down.

 

 

Silverberry feels good now when other plants don't bother it. After flowering, small silvery fruit appeared on its branches in August. That is why the bush got its common name. 

 

 

 

 

I love Silverberry and often passing by I touch its silvery leaves.

August Harvest

August ended, this month was warm and very cold up to + 10C, rainy and sometimes sunny. In general, a normal northern August, without any climate change. It was hard for the vegetables in such weather. 

I used to be  so happy with the large tomatoes and big red peppers. Therefore on cold nights, it was necessary to tightly close the greenhouse and additionally hang a covering cloth on the door.

 

Of course, it was not without disappointment. Black spots began to appear on some of tomatoes. In the morning entering the greenhouse, I touched tomatoes and peppers and they were wet. Why be surprised that a fungus has appeared on the fruits?  

But most of the crop was in good condition. I began to cut healthy vegetables and put them in plastic baskets in a cool, dry place.  

 

Fortunately, the berries and apples ripen well in such cold and rainy weather. I collected several bowls of cherry plums and red plums. I will make plum jam and freeze some of the berries for compote. 

The plants in the garden are not affected by the weather yet, the hydrangea and flowers are still beautiful. 

It was sunny this morning and I put the chair on the terrace. But already in the afternoon it became cold +12 C and I had to take the chair into the house. Still, I'm looking forward to warm days!