Rain!

We had some rain 2 days ago, and some more today. Not the torrential downpours I was hoping for to fill the water butts, but better than nothing.

Front garden update

Apart from the rudbeckia. I haven't planted out any summer bedding (I grew some coleus) as the heatwave/drought has continued. Several of the heuchera have died (I must admit I forgot to water the front garden during the early part of the summer). However, the euphorbia seem to be coping well so I'm planning on planting more of them in the autumn, and the oxalis seem to be growing back after their trim on 4th July.

Courgette update

This variety, Astia, seems to grow more upright than the usual ones that creep along the ground. Nice!

Spinach update

Doing well.

Wallflowers planted out

Wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to plant these seedlings out during a heatwave/drought but I did it anyway.

First tomatoes picked

Two small Marmande and three Gardener's Delight.

Wild rose

A lot of the wild rose has died, probably due to the severe cold weather in the spring. Fortunately, there is some new growth. I cut the dead stuff away (or at least as much as I could fit in the garden waste wheely bin - will cut the rest later).

Hellebore update

None of the hellebore seed that I sowed on 2nd June have germinated. However I did find a couple of seedlings in the container where the hellebore is growing so I potted them up.

Drought/Heatwave continues

Apparently the last time it rained here was 29th May. Thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow, although not everywhere will get them. Hope we get a good soaking, and filling for the water butts.

Spuds batch 2 planted

I planted out the spuds I got from Dobies. Quality looks good. I bought 2kg which amounted to 25 spuds so I planted 4 rows of 3 in the greenhouse bed and 3 rows of 3 and 1 of 4 in the large bed.

Rudbeckia planted out

I was a bit unsure about planting out the rudbeckia during a heatwave, but was also afraid they would begin to suffer if I waited much longer.

I also cut back the oxalis.

Drought/Heatwave

It was one of the driest Junes on record, with hot weather that has now developed into a heatwave. The 3 water butts ran out about a week ago, and there's no rain forecast for the next 7 days.

Batch 1 spuds harvested