The lack of rain has had my veggies bolting so all the garlic and some of the onions have been pulled. I suspect the broccoli has also bolted with the cabbages not far behind. Even the basil in the greenhouse is beginning to flower. Still, I may still get a harvest of green beans if I sow them in the gaps now.
Can you make out the carrots in the center of the middle picture? They have taken an absolute age to germinate!
The sweetcorn is looking perky as are the potatoes.
Just loving the mophead and lacecap hydrangeas that are beginning to bloom.
Now we’ve had a little more rain, which I find ridiculously thrilling, the plants and the lawn are beginning to green up again.
There seems to be a constant rumbling of distant thunder these last few days, which has given Annie the heebie jeebies and has her retreating to her quarters behind the couch.
I’m surprised at how slug-damage-free the hostas are this year, well the ones the drought didn’t kill….
The first flush of roses are fading now but I have high hopes for a second blush soon.
The lavender has exploded in the raised wall and the bees are just loving it.
Oh, and the first water lily is out!
Littl’Urchin came to stay for four nights recently, as daughter was abroad for work. Oh my, the energy they have, especially at five forty five in the morning! The house seemed so quiet when she went home, we’re still missing her, there’s nothing quite like kids to keep you young!
For the first time, hubs and I took ourselves around the local National Open Garden Scheme and I have to say it was an out and out treat. So many of the gardens were quirky and delightful and you could see how they had aged and evolved over time.
And Finally…
Two collared dove chicks left their nest in the courtyard honeysuckle on Saturday morning and took to the study roof. Sadly, by three pm Buddy had killed their parent and no second parent has been seen since.
Thankfully the chicks have figured out what seed is and are now self-feeding. I’ve yet to see them drink but have rigged the pond out with planks as they were struggling to reach the water. Given how far on they are I don’t think taking them to the rescue is in their best interests, unless of course they suddenly decline, in which case I’ll rear them. The downside is that we can’t let the dogs out as they are often on the ground in the courtyard and back garden.
Still, it should only be for a couple of weeks as they seem to be quick learners and are growing up fast so hopefully they will wise up soon. I have my fingers crossed for them, they really are such sweet, gentle little birds.
Until next time, stay safe guys.xxx
Our potatoes look sad as we couldn’t fit in watering them. We had rain too so I hope that it hasn’t come too late for them. I hope the chicks keep well away from Buddy. Ruby just likes watching birds but then again it’s a breed thing isn’t ii.Some are natual hunters.
Thanks Sue. Yes, some breeds are born hunters, Jacks are one of the worst.xxx
I think I must be losing what is left of my bloody mind !!
I swore I left a comment here, but I don’t see it .. then again it could have been the case of ” I’ll be right back and say that ….”, heaven only knows … The variety of flowers (especially those lovely lavenders and roses) and veggies, trees, herbs, the whole of your gardens is amazing and especially with the new garden structures .. so pretty !
Lil’Urchin is a hoot painting away there .. she is very lucky to have wonderful grandparents creating a happy, warm space for her and of course you reap the rewards of her sweet affection and enthusiasm for life , happy and care free. Remember when as kids we felt that way .. seems centuries ago right ? LOL seeing it in her little face is a treat I am sure.
We are supposed to have an intensely hot August this year … and I am wondering ????? July isn’t hot enough so far ?
Nothing to be done about it but get through it … Roll on Autumn I am saying already … haha
Enjoy your summer and all that plant and animal life .. hope the two young doves make it .. they almost look like adults .
Take care and stay cool if you are having any heat waves !
Thanks Joy. Oh the weather is downright weird here too. We seem to have a drought each summer followed by a rainy/stormy season. The poor plants have no idea how to cope. Littl’urchin is wonderful, how quickly they seem to grow though. I do hope you are feeling better.xxx
It all looks and sounds good, apart from the bolting items. I’ve had the same problem with my carrot seeds.
Lovely lavender, and I hope that you get some butterflies as well as buzzing bees.
I hope that the collared dove chicks will be okay.
Thanks, and you too. xx
Thanks Flighty. All went well with the collared doves.xxx
Your garden is looking amazing. I guess the rain helped the veggies to grow like Topsy. I also love your roses, I don’t remember you having many roses in the garden, you are doing a good job with them, I think roses can be tricky to grow.
Lovely to see Littl’urchin trying so hard to paint her little pony she looks as cute as a button. I know exactly what you mean about being exhausted looking after her…it is the early mornings that knock me sideways, when we are looking after our grandchildren.
Thanks Gerrie. The roses are scattered across the gardens, I do have a problem each year with blackspot but fortunately it doesn’t affect the blooms.Oh yes, those early mornings sure are killers.xxx
The concentration on LilUrchin’s face! Priceless. I imagine not only quieter but somehow emptier after she went home, full of stories tell Mum.
Someone has entrusted me with a live green thing, possibly a cactus or a succulent of some kind, it’s called Colin and so far seems to be surviving my gardening style of abuse 😂
Thanks Anne-marie, Yes, the house sure felt emptier! Oh goodness, I hope Colin survives!!! Good luck with that!xxx
Lots of veggies to enjoy. We had a really good rain last night, isn’t it heaven? The best sound in the world to a gardener weary of constant watering. We have collared doves in the garden here and they are pretty. Unlike the wood pigeons which are nothing but a nuisance. Fun to have babies to watch.
Thanks Chloris. You beat listening to rain, it’s so soothing and even better when it saves us all a job! I have to agree about the woodpigeons!xxx
The weather has been playing havoc with gardens (and farmers).
We were so pleased to get some much needed rain today.
I think your garden is looking good though, such beautiful colour roses.
Love the photograph of Littl’Urchin 🙂
Like others who have commented before me, I too hope the doves will be okay.
Enjoy your July days.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan. Thankfully all was well with the dove chicks.xxx
Despite the weather woes, your garden is looking lovely. I’m glad you’ve gotten at least a dollop of rain to help things along. Those hydrangeas are especially lovely, and the lavender. Of course, there’s little more lovely than a vision of a child deeply engaged in creative activity — it’s always a treat to see her here. I can imagine it takes some adjusting when that bundle of energy arrives, and some adjusting to the silence when she’s gone!
I hope your doves do well. A hawk got one of mine yesterday, although the dove population here is so large that the loss of one, presumably to hawk chicks, is little more than a reminder of the circle of life/food chain. On the other hand, a squirrel appeared at my feeder this morning minus a tail! I’ve never seen that before, and had to study up a bit. It certainly will be a handicap for it, but with food and water readily available without having to forage, it might survive for a while. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Your mention of thunder as a doggie irritant reminded me of fireworks, which will be abundant in outlying areas tonight. They’re prohibited in town, but a friend who lives in the county and who has horses always stays home on the night of July 4th to try and keep the horses calmed down!
Thanks Linda. How true about a child’s energy upon arrival and departure! She was good as gold though and a pleasure to look after. Oh, your poor squirrel, I wonder what happened to it, I do hope it makes it, there’s hope while you’re feeding it. It’s the same here every bonfire night and New Years Eve with fireworks which go on for weeks. It drives the dogs crazy.xxx
Oh, I hope those little orphans make it, at least they’re a good size already. I was looking at lace cap hydrangeas in the garden centre last week, they’re so pretty. I’ll have to see if I have room to squeeze one in I think. Such a shame about many things bolting, there hasn’t been much rain to speak of, though I think that’s why the hostas are slug free this year, I don’t think the slugs will be enjoying this weather. It’s been a bit too hot for me too but it’s cooled down a little now, not that I’m complaining.
Thanks Jo, thankfully the dove chicks made it. I do hope you find room to squeeze a lace cap in. It’s been a good year for the hostas here too, I suppose the hot weather has it’s perks.xxx
Your garden is looking wonderful and I bet it smells fabulous with all those roses and lavender. I’m sure you were in heaven having Littl’urchin staying for 4 days – even if you needed a lie down afterwards! :O) Fingers crossed for the 2 dove chicks; they are very lucky having you to keep an eye on them. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. Yes, it was a please looking after the child. The bees have smothered the lavender for weeks, sadly it’s going over now. Thankfully, all went well with the dove chicks.xxx
Everything looks as though it is doing really well, lots of lovely veg and so much colour with your beautiful flowers, your lavender looks magnificent! Hope your collared doves chicks do well, they are in the right place if not.x
Thanks Pauline, yes, all went well with the dove chicks.xxx
Oh, I’m sorry about all the bolting going on! I have learned that if I keep basil growing in bright shade, it won’t bloom and will keep producing leaves from year to year. I’m on my third summer with the current lot. Of course, our winters aren’t nearly as wet and cold as yours.
Love seeing your roses and how well they’ve done despite the drought. And the lavender! Amazing abundance. I remember you propagating them years ago — are these the same plants, transplanted to the raised wall?
While the lily is lovely, I love those shiny round leaves just as well. Such a pretty picture. How fun to be able to get out and enjoy the novelty of other gardens.
Four days with your Lil’ Urchin sounds fun but also exhausting. When I spent just a few hours with my cousin’s kids, it felt like constant questions, activities, requests, and more questions. So much going on in their growing brains 🙂
Good luck to your dove chicks. And to the rest of your veg garden.
Goodness, lucky you keeping basil alive for three years, I didn’t know it was even possible! Yes, most of those lavenders were from cuttings. Yes kids are full on! Thankfully all went well with the dove chicks. Thanks Anne.xxx
I’ve missed your blog posts recently so it was good to see one appear today. Your veggies look abundant, the roses and hydrangeas beautiful. I can imagine the fun you had during your days looking after your sweet granddaughter. The Open Garden Scheme is a great way to visit other gardens. Take care. Have a happy July.
Thanks Linda, I really did enjoy visiting all the local gardens, each one was totally unique.xxx
The gardens are looking beautiful despite the weather struggles! I especially love the hydrangeas and lavender. Just glorious. And what potato feasts are ahead!
The garden tour sounds heavenly. I bet it was a fun adventure, and what a perfect way to be inspired…and feel pleased about all the progress you’ve made in your own spectacular garden!
Sounds like you had a great time with Li’l Urchin. What precious memories you’re giving her!
I do hope the doves survive. You’re doing all you can, given Buddy’s indiscretion. Keep us posted! And give sweet Annie a hug for me. 💕
Thanks Kitty, one hug to Annie has been delivered. Visiting other gardens sure does provide a wealth of inspiration, there are so many good ideas out there. We are now harvesting the potatoes, you just can’t beat home grown!xxx