Catching up ....

Spring and early summer is probably the busiest time in the garden, so not ideal (from the gardening point of view) for a long holiday - but most things seem to have survived our absence, thanks mainly to the efforts of helpful neighbours.  Preparations for and catching up after holiday have left no time for blogging, so there's a two-month gap to plug here!

Tulip 'Cairo' - back in May

It would be nice to report that summer weather has arrived, but it hasn't.  June has been miserably wet and July is starting in the same vein.  The sun is nice when it's shining, but that isn't often.  At least the garden hasn't needed watering, although the weeds have run riot while we were away and I'm still trying to get on top of them.  There's lots of flowers for cutting: the sweet william near the house are in full spate (the patch in the shade at the bottom of the garden are just starting to bloom); plenty of roses; the sweet peas are coming back after their first flush has been cut; the blue penstemons are looking excellent, especially the one in the big pot.  Most of the alliums, which have been really good, are fading (A. cristophii is still in good shape), but the philadelphus is now out.  Sadly we missed the late tulips, though 'Uncle Tom' and 'Cairo' did well.  I think my favourite of the new bulbs was Narcissus 'Silver Chimes', which I planted so late - tiny, but beautiful little clusters of powerfully scented flowers.  I look forward to them again next year.

Sweet william - not a bad show!

Blue penstemon

 The veg plot is looking a bit patchy.  There are a few strapping kale plants and a couple of cabbages - neither showing much damage from wildlife - and broad bean plants lounging all over the place.  The leek seedlings are fattening slowly, and the potatoes look good, but few of the shallots are still around (the result of the partridges' dust bathing, I suspect) and only one garlic plant.  I can't even see the apple cordons for weeds.  Before we went away I optimistically planted out all six courgette plants, with 'Slug Gone' for protection, certain that there would be some casualties from slug/snail attack all the same - but no, all six are thriving and fruiting!  I will do as the Greeks do and eat them very small, to keep on top of the glut!  In the greenhouse there are five aubergine plants, two pepper plants and three tomatoes, but all are still very small from lack of attention; seedlings of various brassicas were stood outside while we were away and have all succumbed to slugs. Gooseberries and blackcurrants are ripening nicely (time for some protection against hungry birds ....).

Pyramidal orchid in the lawn

Back in the spring I spotted some orchid leaves appearing in the lawn, and fenced them off from the mower.  Two are Early Spotted Orchids (one has flowered), as last year, but there are three of the taller and chunkier Pyramidal Orchids over by the plum tree - rather fine flowers.

Forward planning: the biennials are sown and germinating, and I'm starting off more salad plants.  Better late than never.

The birds are still busy, but fewer species coming to the garden at the moment.  Lots of sparrows and woodpigeons, and a few blackbirds; the wren comes daily to search around the patio pots (which still have the spring bulbs in them); and the robin shows up occasionally, but is mostly based down in the bottom hedge.  A young woodpecker is coming to the peanut container with its dad, and is not pleased when I'm in the garden.