My gardening DIARY

MONDAY

Some of our squashes seem to be producing no more than one fruit. Disappointing! Squashes store so well that even in the dark days of winter, you can enjoy them. I’m going to give them an extra feed and hope they’ll set more.

TUESDAY

Because the weather’s been so hot, flowers are lasting for a shorter time than usual, which means deadheading has to be carried out more frequently. Individual flowers of heleniums, for example, rather than looking good for a fortnight or so as they would in cooler weather are fading after a week. The only good side of this is that the embryonic buds further down the stems that might not develop fully in colder weather will come on more quickly, prolonging the display.

WEDNESDAY

The Viburnum opulus (guelder rose) has set masses of its bright red berries. Close by, two rowans have lost the majority of their fruit to the blackbirds. Though they looked lovely while they lasted, I suppose that’s their best use.

THURSDAY

Our nameless rose, which nobody remembers planting, is once more laden with buds. It’s been in flower since early June and even at its most sparse has boasted several of its pretty pale pink, deliciously scented flowers.

FRIDAY

After a very slow start, our peppers have finally decided to get a move on. Once fruit has set, it grows rapidly, helped this year by the kind of temperatures of its native home, Central America and Peru.

SATURDAY

Planting more honeysuckle further down the hedge so we can enjoy its sweet nocturnal perfume all the way down the hedge.

SUNDAY

Although onion sets went in late, leaves are starting to shrivel and foliage is now pointing north to give the onions themselves the benefit of the sun. Soon we’ll be able to lift them.