The 7 Day summer
Blink and you missed it, well almost.
Summer arrived Mid Month, temperatures here reached 32℃ for most of the week, hot sticky nights which made sleeping difficult, very hot uncomfortable days which had me running for the cooler conditions of the shade.
Luckily I had already booked the hottest week of the year off from work in order to have a rest and a chill out, unluckily I came down with a dizziness bug at exactly the same time.
In the Garden it’s all about the beginning of the harvest from some of my crops….
As usual at this time of year I’ve become a slave to the watering of my tubs, pots and baskets.
I don’t mind really, not when I’m starting to pick so many crops.
Sunflower Earthwalker
The first of my Sunflowers started to bloom, I think so far I’ve lost 50% of my plants to slugs.
striped Marigold
My Annual flowers are really getting into their stride now adding bursts of colour throughout the borders.
I’m really pleased with how some of my summer perennials are performing….
A fast favourite so far is my Sanguisorba lilac squirrel.
Sanguisorba lilac squirrel
The plant is growing quite big and I may have to edit some surrounding plantings to allow it to reach its full potential.
Crocosmia flower buds
Based on my photographs taken at this time last year, many of my plants are behind in their development, my Crocosmia for example is currently still in bud, when it was in full flower this time last year….
Bees loving the Echinacea
I only appear to be able to grow the standard purple Echinacea, which is a shame for me as there are loads of more colourful ones around which I’m quite partial to….
At least the Bees are happy.
Seed Saving has begun.
The hot weather has started to ripen up some seed which I’ve collected, all being well I will have a few species to send on to the Hardy Plant Society Seed list this Autumn.
I knew those plastic takeaway tubs would come in handy.
Veg patch
My little veg patch has been very productive so far, Onions, lettuce, Radish, Peas, and all manner of other edibles have been harvested.
I’m in the process of growing on some winter veg for the colder months and will be planting them soon.
Finally…
I’ve got high hopes for my Courgettes, I have really gotten into Courgettes, I like Courgettes…
Unfortunately, I’ve discovered I’m not the only one.
SCREAM.
Many thanks to Helen as always for hosting this Meme…
That’s a very beautiful sunflower, that Earthwalker. Where did you get it from? Sanguisorba lilac squirrel is wonderful and well named. Sorry to see the evil things are attacking your courgettes. Maybe put beer traps next to the courgette plants and see if that helps?
LikeLike
Hi, I got the seeds of Earth Walker from http://higgledygarden.com/ he has a lovely seed shop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have failed to harvest any courgettes, the slugs have had them all.
Lilac squirrel is fab, I need more sanguisorbas.
LikeLike
I’ve already bought another Sanguisorba, I think its called Beetle Wings. I’m still to find somewhere to plant it though.
LikeLike
Awesome update thank you for sharing have a blessed day
LikeLiked by 1 person
My squirrels are still not even showing anything like flower buds though the crocosmia have been blazing away for ages and are getting a bit droopy. Slugs got the sunflowers and chrysanthemums and the last of my dahlia tubers rotted over the winter. The daylilies mostly chose a rainy day to flower and so I missed them. At least the summer bedding’s making up for the lack of flowers elsewhere. Though I think autumn must have arrived already, given the amount of leaves I’m removing from the lawn every day – one tree’s going decidedly brown!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I was scrolling down I was thinking, must comment about the sunflower, must say how lovely the sanguisorba is, must admire your echinacea and then I ran out of room in my head! All looking lovely, hope you have plenty of courgettes coming on to make up for the thieves. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden is beautiful. I zeroed right in on those shiny tomatoes. I have better luck also with the regular purple coneflowers. The hybrid Echinaceas that I’ve tried are very short-lived and disappointing. susie
LikeLike
Hi Susie,
I’ve bought and killed many a colourful Echinacea over the years, the purple one is the longest lived….and it was cheap from B&Q..
LikeLike
Your garden is very 😃😃😃😃
LikeLike
You comment is very 😀😀😀
LikeLike
Looking good June. Love the sanguisorba and the echinacea. All the best- Karen
LikeLike
Pingback: End of Month View of the Garden: The End of August. | The Cynical Gardener