I am neglecting the blog again. It’s been a busy month. I’m still working hard on my garden and starting to see the results. All that ‘organic matter’ seems to have worked it’s magic and the poppies are spectacular this year. Unfortunately the puppy considers any lump of horse poo still visible as a tasty treat. I’ve given up telling him to ‘drop it’ as he just goes back for more and it doesn’t seem to do him any harm. I draw a line at him bringing any into the house though. At present he is asleep while guarding the chew I’ve given him to stop him biting my ankles - he’s teething and likes to chew everything including us. His chew is a called a bull’s pizzle, a euphemism for the particular part of the bull’s anatomy which is dried and sold at an extortionate price as a doggy delicacy. Yuck!
I have now added a fan trained Morello Cherry Tree to the north facing wall on the patio so I’m reading up on how to tie in the shoots to help it keep its shape. There’s also been a lot of watering to do recently as, after nonstop rain in May, June has been very dry in Chester, with no rain at all for weeks. It’s been bucketing down south but not here so I’m pleased that a thunderstorm and heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow to fill up my newly installed water butts.
Other news since my last post is that I’m back teaching again. I’m tutoring an online adult course for the WEA in Creative Non-Fiction. I’m enjoying it despite some initial reservations about the technology. The students are from all over the country and are a more diverse group than the one I used to teach face to face. Everybody seems to have responded well so far and they are working well as a group.
That’s it for now though may add some more garden photos later.
Here we go!
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| Peas are doing well this year. Broad too though noticed today that black fly have moved in, |
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| Bought a new pot for the canna lily and it is thriving. |
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| Tomatoes are enjoying the sun we’ve had recently |
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| There are flowers on the courgettes which I grew from seed for the first time. |
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| Self-planted foxgloves |
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| This is a weedI think but left it as it looks nice. Anyone know what it is? |
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| First flower on Eustacia Vye Rose |
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Eleanor, everything looks so lovely. You must have been putting the hours in. I cannot identify your 'weed' so hope you don't mind if I put the image on a plant ID group on FB as I am intrigued. I think it is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks - would love to know what it is. Used to pull it out but as it grows all over dry rocky bank where nothing else grows, I leave it now. One Kant has flowers of purple and pink - weird. X Doris (Eleanor is my cooler alter ego)
DeleteThanks - would love to know what it is. Used to pull it out but as it grows all over dry rocky bank where nothing else grows, I leave it now. One Kant has flowers of purple and pink - weird. X Doris (Eleanor is my cooler alter ego)
DeleteEleanor, that plant identification group on Facebook is really quick. The unidentified plant is Purple toadflax / Linaria purpurea. Pollinators love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to sow it next year. I like your cool alter ego. Everyone should have one.
DeleteThanks - it’s always covered in bees. I tried plant identification apps and failed so appreciate this. Eleanor is my second name after my Great Aunt Ella who went to the USA as a young woman and lived until she over 100
DeleteIf you have a Facebook account the page is called Plant Identification UK and is a useful resource. There are some very knowledgeable plantspeople on there. Also, a few annoying folk but they should be ignored. The admins keep it sensible. Ella sounds like she might have been a character.
DeleteLook at your garden! It is beautiful and I can imagine sitting in the sun, taking in the beauty and having a chat. Morello cherries remind me of my dad. I wonder if they would grow in Scotland. We do have a South West facing wall, which might just provide enough shelter. Exciting news about teaching adults, it sounds fun. Cx
ReplyDelete