Fri, June 26th. Rain and Sun, Work in Garden

It has obviously rained quite a lot overnight as the water butt is full again. It's just what the garden needed, especially the vegetable plot. This afternoon it's been hot hot hot. I did manage to weed the 3 beds in the front garden though. With a little help from Buster and BlackJack on occasions. Then I weeded the rest of the Fairy Hill and planted some bulbs I've removed from a circular bed that didn't do very well this year. I've planted them mostly on the fairy hill. So I feel I've achieved even though I felt a bit drained from the heat.

Joe the builder has been constructing the doorway between my room and the old cottage. It's taken him some time as he's had to make steps down into the studio too.

Jim bashed his little toe coming down the stairs from his den upstairs and his foot is now all swollen up. He's off to the UK again on Tuesday for 3 days, so I hope it's better by then.

I had a phone message left for me today from Ann Broderick, the lady I visited yesterday afternoon. She said her sister thought I was a lovely lady and really enjoyed my visit. I was quite chuffed!

The Vegetable Plot

A few days ago I took some photos of Jim's vege plot so I'll post them today:








The peas are growing fast and the pods developing. I like to eat them fresh off the plants - Jim tells me off.
















The sweetcorn is looking strong and healthy



















It won't be long before we are eating broad beans.





















We have already had some salad leaves and small chard leaves and rocket. I love its peppery taste.












Here is Jim inspecting his carrots. They're doing brilliantly as are the potatoes, I don't think they've ever grown as well. He's worked hard on the plot this year.













It seems that every day I walk around the garden, something else is in flower. Here's a few photos from today.








This deep red clematis flower has just come out today




























Old fashioned marigolds always remind me of my parents' garden where there were lots of them.














This little primula window box is bursting with double flowers.























These are the 3 beds I weeded today. The sweet williams are in the top one, the red acer and yellow acer plus grasses in the middle one and the magnolia stellata in the front one. There is also a rose bush, taken from a cutting, and it is covered in buds. You can just see one or two flashes of red among the magnolia leaves.











Our Silver Jubilee rose flowered today for the first time, and what a lovely flower.












There is just one drip left from the rain on a petal.






















The other rose to flower today is this lovely yellow one





Baskets








The three hanging baskets are coming along well.
















































Buster

Buster was all hot and bothered too and decided to usurp one of our garden benches:








Well, it is under the parasol!
I do like this photo of him.

















Jim took him for a walk to the wood by the lake when it had cooled down a bit.




Butterfly







This speckled wood butterfly was in our porch so I photographed it before Jim carefully put it outside.






Plans

















The long white garden wall is a bit of a problem. We were going to make a flower border along its base but have discovered that the concrete comes out about 3 feet under the lawn. After some discussion, we have decided to make a raised bed, probably with stone as we have lots of it. Don't hold your breath though. Think of all the lovely plants I can fill it with!

That's it for today. I gather the sunshine will last a few more days which is great. I have caught up with my art making for now so can play outside some more...