Crisp and toasted!
A developing family garden and allotment in Staffordshire, with year-round interest.
Well! What an unexpected treat the long run of hot weather has been. However, it did bring its challenges. With our water butt empty, we carefully targeted what we should water at home so we weren’t indulgent.
The perennial borders became rather wilted and the geraniums and cornflower that had the ‘Chelsea chop’ really struggled. The combination of the World Cup and drought left our lawn looking rather sorry for itself, but we remain optimistic it’ll recover when the rain comes.
The heat has been particularly challenging at the allotment. There were casualties of the high temperatures – plants bolting, the chard never recovered after I harvested the outer leaves, plus the infant carrot and flower seedlings were scorched. Leeks have been very slow to establish, the potato leaves have crispy edges and the runner beans were toasted. But, the courgettes, rhubarb, radish, spinach, broad beans, salad leaves, raspberries, cabbage and white, red and blackcurrants are all doing well. In the garden the lilies, including ‘Elodie’, are thriving and along with the marigolds, petunia, busy Lizzie and orange zinnia ‘Profusion Double Fire’, bring a blast of colour and an exotic holiday feel! Several self-seeded hollyhocks are in flower in rich pink and red, reminiscent of hibiscus. At the front of the house, a collection of young Yucca aloifolia ‘Variegata’ give a tropical touch in the golden gravel.
I’ve transferred my tomato ‘Moneymaker’ seedlings into a growing bag in the mini greenhouse with canes secured to the structure. Along with salad leaves, peppers, basil and cucumber plants, they have really benefited from the hot weather.
The arbour has had a lick of white paint and the dianthus and geraniums in pots look lovely and summery there. There are busy Lizzies underneath and roses, clematis and honeysuckle over the top. Rose ‘New Dawn’ is particularly lovely with its pale pink flowers and delicate scent.