August Garden

Things are starting to look a little autumnal now that September is approaching. There are more grapes on my vine than I have seen in former years, however they are really only decorative and not for eating.

 I decided to give tomatoes a rest this year and am trying sweet peppers, Capsicums. I planted several pots and this one is showing the most promise.

 I'm picking courgettes every few days, quite small but sufficient for my needs. The runner beans are pathetic, only just starting to set so I only have three very tiny pods.

 The fuchsias are flowering well and the Japanese Anemones are putting on a good show as usual.

Some knitting

It may seem that knitting has taken a back seat recently as I have been so absorbed with the garden, not so. I have been knitting when it was too wet to go outdoors. I am trying to fill a box to send to  Loving Hands charity, still a way to go.
The sad news recently is that Coats are closing all of their haberdashery concessions in the UK which means I shall be losing my only source of Rowan yarns locally in Beatties. The only good thing is that the goods have been greatly reduced in price. I managed to get this in the sale this week.......

......and have started this sweater. I made this pattern some years ago but it turned out too small for me so I had to give it to my sister. This time I'm making a larger size and as the pattern is for DK and I'm using worsted, it looks as if it may fit.

July Garden

News good and bad this month. The Tayberries are cropping well.

I'm picking courgettes every few days although some are quite small. 

The runner beans are flowering. These are Mergoles, stringless and 'set well in all summer weather' according to the packet.

  

The roses have been affected by Black spot. 'Mary Rose' lost all its leaves but is sprouting again. 'Gertrude Jekyll' was also affected but not so badly. 

'Bonica' was not affected and put on a good show.

The Clematis have wilt but if cut down will hopefully recover next year. I'm reluctant to spray as I try to garden organically. I think the warm damp summer we are having has affected several plants. The one thing that isn't affected is the bind weed with which I have a constant battle, and I think it is winning!

June Garden

Very late with this, I'm sorry. The garden looks at its best in June. The roses are flourishing.

The new clematis is flowering.

The border is starting to fill out, although something seems to be eating the Lupins.

The vegetable patch is starting to show promise, lots of flowers on the courgettes although they are in quite a shady site. The runner beans are starting to climb and I've picked a few radishes and rhubarb.

May Garden

It's difficult to know which plants to choose this month as everything is bursting into bloom.

The Montana Clematis is putting on a magnificent show as usual

 

The Azalea, planted last year, is blooming well.

This rhododendron was originally planted in a pot which became buried under the mass of weeds. Now it has been retrieved and replanted in the ground and has managed a couple of flowers.

Lastly a more humble plant but none the less welcome, Solomon's Seal.

April Garden

I've been pretty busy during April mainly clearing this area around the pool , although it still needs attention especially the nettles growing under the Spirea.

The Camellias  have done well as usual, although this one was being choked by the winter Clematis growing on the fence.

The wild life is also flourishing. This small black bumble bee is very attracted to the Pulmonaria flowers. I believe it is the hairy footed flower bee. Not one I've seen before. Also the Robins have hatched their first brood and I keep disturbing young robins in the shrubbery.

March Garden

Sorry this is so late. The photos were taken in March but I haven't got round to posting them.

Everything seems very slow this year, or perhaps I am impatient for things to get going. The first frog didn't appear in the pond until the 16th and spent a lonely time until the others joined him and frog spawn appeared on Easter day. The frogs have now disappeared but I will soon have tadpoles.

The pussy willow is starting to open.......

.......and so is the viburnum.

This was a very shady area but now my neighbour has pruned his trees it gets quite a bit of sun so I'm hoping to have a row of runner beans growing up the side of the shed.

February Garden

Not a lot has changed from last month. The winter Irises have made a small effort but the best they have managed is three blooms at one time. The crocuses are now in bloom.

These are Pickwick.

 The daffodils are in bud but not open yet although I have seen some more advanced in nearby gardens.

There are no Frogs in the pond yet although it has been iced over on most recent mornings so perhaps they are waiting for warmer weather.

January Garden

The mild weather continues and the garden is beginning to wake up.

Snowdrops are appearing in odd corners.

The hellebores are in full bloom.

And a clematis I planted last year is putting out new shoots.

The main disappointment are the winter Iris. There has only been occasional single blooms appearing probably due to lack of sun last year.

December Garden

 The first Iris unguicularis opened on the 9th of the month. 
Due to the exceptionally mild weather we are having, the Bonica rose is still in bloom. No sign of spring bulbs yet, although daffodils are blooming in some parts of the country.

November Garden

The garden is preparing itself for winter although a few things are hanging on.

These Welsh poppies have found a sheltered corner.

The winter Jasmine is flowering but is actually 'borrowed' from next doors garden.

Lots of berries on the holly in the middle of the month, but I doubt there will be many left by Christmas as the birds have been busy.

October Garden

As winter approaches, clocks go back at the weekend, the garden takes on an autumn tint. I have been doing some pruning but the Viburnum at the back is too tall for me to cope with, so I'm getting some help with the higher, thicker branches.

The Hydrangea has put on a good show but is now fading gently.

The roses are past their best especially on this rather damp morning.

 I picked the last of the tomatoes at the beginning of the month and the green ones soon ripened on being in the warm house. In total I had 6 kilos 680 gms 14 lbs 11 ozs. The largest weighed 250 gms. Luckily I had no blight this year.

September Garden

Harvest time has arrived. The tomatoes are ripening well and I have been blessed with no blight this year so they are able to ripen outdoors instead of having to be picked green and ripening inside.

There is also a berry harvest for the birds on the Cotoneaster -which attracts the Blackbirds and occasionally Redwings and Fieldfares. The Anemones will soon be developing fluffy seedheads which attract Gold finches.

   There are still some flowers blooming, I deadheaded the lupins and have been rewarded by a fresh flush of blooms.

Unfortunately I haven't been lucky with my Spinach beet which the slugs think was intended for them.

August Garden

Some of the early flowers are past their best but this Pelargonium near the conservatory continues to put on a good show, accompanied by Marjoram which attracts the bees and butterflies.

The Acanthus Spinosus (Bear's Breeches) is in a rather too shaded position and has developed mildew.

Japanese Anemones are in various places around the garden.......

......and the Lacecap Hydrangea is blooming well. This was a cutting from my uncle's garden and must be twenty years old now.

July Garden

This side of the garden is looking good ( we won't mention the weeds and overgrowth on the other side.)

 The border in the front garden is colourful as usual. Originally a large Leylandii hedge occupied this space, needing constant trimming, so I had it removed.

 Most of the roses have finished their first flush of bloom, but Bonica is still in flower, unfortunately with no scent.

And the Marmande tomatoes are starting to set. Last year's record was one of 275 grams (10ozs).