August in the Garden

 

I must confess that I haven't spent an awful lot of time in the garden this year, whether it be for work or for pleasure. The constant rainy weather has meant that neither the sun shade nor the paddling pool have enjoyed an airing this summer, and I'm not sure they will going forwards. Until last week the lawn was ridiculously overgrown, and it was all I could manage to get it cut before a strimmer would have been necessary. It took me ages to mow, but looks so much better for it. I'll just overlook the bare patch beneath swing-ball!

I did replace many of the plants which had succumbed to the extreme cold last winter, so at least the border around the seating area looks much more pleasing to the eye. Most of the plants have finished flowering now and the purple lavender will need cutting back before much longer. The white lavender, which I grew from seed, has established itself nicely, and so I might need to split it again in the spring. The Hydrangea is just beginning to flower, and will probably be the last of any colour I get in the garden this year. 

My favourite little lemon trees continue to surprise me. One of them is much larger than the other, but they are both growing new leaves and I am excited to see whether or not they will produce blossom some time during the next few years. I planted them during the first lockdown, and I believe it can take around five years for them to produce fruit. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, so watch this space. You can see one of the apple trees, which I planted at the same time, next to the bird feeder in the top photograph. 

Having fully intended to leave the raised bed completely empty this year, I found three incredibly sad looking tomato plants in a cupboard at work, which someone had forgotten about, and I could not bear to see them simply thrown away. Somehow, I managed to revive them and I planted them out, not expecting them to come to much, but they are huge, and now appear to be producing a decent amount of fruit. They just need some more sunshine to help them to ripen. 

With the tomatoes on one side, the other half of the bed was looking rather bare, and so I picked up a very inexpensive tray of sweetcorn while I was at the supermarket, for Lily to plant just as a bit of an experiment. I suspect we were a little late in planting them, but they appear to be growing well, so we will just have wait and see if we get any results. 

On sunny days, the cats both enjoy being outside. Boo, especially, has a habit of sitting beneath swing-ball, while Lily is knocking the ball around at ridiculous speed. Luckily, the ball cannot reach him, but he doesn't even flinch! And talking of cats, next week Mog has an appointment for an x-ray, just to rule out anything untoward. Naturally, booking her in for this incredibly expensive procedure has resulted in her having no symptoms whatsoever for the last few days! :)

J. X

In the Garden

As well as going out for many walks and picnics in the local area, the warm sunny weather has meant I've also been spending much of my time in the garden. Recent restrictions have made me realise just how fortunate I am to have this little plot and I can't begin to tell you how much I have come to appreciate it, especially during recent weeks.

In the damp winter months I can feel quite resentful of what I feel is wasted space. Being so wet and muddy it rarely gets used during this time of year and aside from clearing up the leaves and repairing any storm damage I tend not to give it too much attention. Instead, I allow my mind to wander to thoughts of a house extension, surely it would be much more beneficial,  and how wonderful it would be to have that large dining kitchen I've always hankered after. I get  like this every year, so you would think I'd know better by now. Oh well, I can always dream.

Recently, however, I couldn't imagine not having this precious little patch of earth. Whether I'm sowing seeds, being able to grab a handful of spinach to enjoy in a sandwich, pegging out the laundry, or simply enjoying sitting in the sunshine with a cup of tea. As long as I don't have the dilapidated shed in my field of vision I am quite content. And I am hopeful even that might  get replaced before the end of the summer. I also must not forget the importance of this space for digging, making mud pies and poking worms, the opportunities for making a mess are endless.

Anyway, here is a little glimpse as to what is out there just now.

The Sweet Peas are doing well. I planted these using harvested seeds from last years plants. There is some new growth on the Lavender and I am keeping the mint in a pot from now on after it all went a bit wild last year. There are Sunflowers and Rosemary in the background. Just out of shot are eight tiny chilli seedlings.

Beetroot.

Sunflowers. I plant these up against the fence so they are supported as they grow. There are twelve of them at the moment. Some are from the seeds I got for Lily's birthday last year and the rest are a smaller variety which I think are red in colour. Some more Lavender.

Strawberries. It  looks as though there will be a plentiful supply this year.

Tomatoes. I was later to sow these this year but it looks like they are beginning to grow a little faster now.

There are also some carrots and spinach in the vegetable patch, and each morning I take these little pots outside to sit in the sun. Lily and I have planted some apple and lemon seeds. They've grown even more since I took this photograph just the other day and I'm looking forward to seeing how they progress.

As the temperatures are set to rise, the garden will have another purpose this week. We're setting up the new paddling pool!

J. X

Spring Weekend

This weekend has been a happy jumble of all sorts. Days have passed slowly and gently, unhurried  and relaxed. I have given over trying to maintain too much structure to our time at home, instead I'm learning it's better to take things day by day and adjust my busy mind accordingly.

Lily and I had lots of messy fun making Chocolate nests. A few weeks ago I had made sure to get in the ingredients we would be using, and I can't tell you how difficult it was not to help myself to some of the chocolate during that time. It was calling to me, even from the highest shelf.

Talking of chocolate, we have eaten such a lot over the weekend, in fact, the Easter bunny arrived super early here, with foil covered eggs hidden all over the garden.  

As well as the chocolate nests I also baked an orange and rosemary cake using some of the fresh rosemary from the garden. It was delicious, if a bit sticky, served with a marmalade glaze.

I have been very fortunate to receive some plants from a nearby garden centre which, sadly, would otherwise have gone to waste, so the garden has been treated to a much needed injection of colour. I returned  home from a lovely afternoon walk to find I had been gifted several pots of tulips, some fritillaria and some blue anemone. Some beautiful flowers, which are quite clearly enjoying this sunny weather.  The sweet peas, which I saved from last year's crop are already looking promising and the spinach in the raised bed is growing fast. Over the weekend we also sowed the carrot and beetroot seeds, and the two different varieties of sunflowers, always a favourite of ours, have  begun to sprout. Once again, I'm feeling such gratitude to have this outdoor space at the present time.

Home learning begins again this week and I am happy to be able to put this in place once more. I'm easing us in gently, however, although the topic this term is much more fun, and it helps that we are getting a little more input from the school. Each afternoon we are getting out for our daily walk, making the most of this time to stretch our legs, appreciate our surroundings and enjoy the gloriously sunny weather.

J. X