Just-in-time weeding

I practise just-in-time weeding.  Given the task of keeping on top of what has become a very weedy plot, I manage by targeting specific weeds just before they can set seed and make the problem worse.  The vetch is very nearly all out (that is to say, the flowers and most of the stems ripped up; the roots of course are another matter entirely).  The herb robert is coming out as and when I spot it, and the lesser willowherb too.  I've been tacking the creeping buttercups, and the herb bennet is next in line before its burrs can ripen.  The grasses are also in flower; in what is meant to be an open space by the hedge they are waist-high in some places, with their plumes providing a romantically summery haze around the geraniums (which are also weeds in this case).  So far I'm keeping ahead of the seeding ...

Windy spells have knocked the poppies around, but the roses continue to come out: the albas and Old Blush China are in flower, Mme Hardy is just starting and Comte de Chambord and Gallica Officinalis are showing colour on the buds.  And the honeysuckle, which I always forget to mention because it's out of sight at the bottom of the garden, is in full flower, as is the purple Verbascum under the ash tree (it has made a rather better showing this year). 

The sweet peas planted last week seem to have settled in.  To my surprise I also found two winter squash seedlings; these had failed to germinate indoors and before we went on holiday I dumped the seed tray outside out of the way.  Only noticed last week that two of them had in fact come up; so they have been put into a clear bit of ground in the veg plot.  I'm also trying to provide a better screen for the gas tank.  Some years ago we bought a Photinia (I say 'we': it wasn't actually my choice) and it has sat unloved in its pot since then for want of anywhere to put it.  A Buddleia and several ash seedlings germinated in there, and it looks as if the root competition has kept the Photinia's rootball small; this made it ideal to plant in the very shallow, stony soil in front of the tank.  I hope it's happier there.  I'm also trying a row of rosemary plants in front, which should like those conditions and help hide the tank once they grow up.

Pondlife 1: Damselflies on the iris

There were several damselflies (I counted four at one point) around at the weekend, especially near the pond.  The pond life is doing quite well; there are at least two smooth newts in there, and the iris and waterlilies are in flower.  On the bird front, there is still much feeding of little ones, with the sparrows, blackbirds and robin very active; a baby robin flew into the summerhouse at the weekend and I had to leave the door open to let it escape (which I think it did, though you can never be sure).

The weather has been on the cool side mostly, but is to warm up for the next week or so.  Dare we hope for summer?

Pondlife 2: Waterlily