At last the hot humid and wet weather has gone and we have lovely warm sunshine. It’s not forecasted to last long so guess I better make the most of it while I can.
Think I understand why the rainforest is so lush………we have had what
seems like mini rainforest conditions here in Scotland and the effect on
the garden is incredible. Every thing is fresh and green and blooming. 
My herbs are really thriving; I planted a lot of new ones earlier this year. 
Some
herbs I started indoors and some I sowed from seed into the containers
in the garden. I’ve almost lost track of what I have in the garden but I
h've started to harvest them more this year. 
I
try to take a few leaves from all the plants as often as I can. This
year I’m freezing my herbs in little tubs. It’s like using fresh herbs
and now that I’m used to doing it, I prefer this method to drying them. 
In
my freezer I have rosemary, thyme, coriander, basil, oregano, dill,
chives, lemon balm, mint, chocolate mint, peppermint, lovage, parsley
and marjoram. I’m also harvesting the lavender as it blooms. 
My one potato barrel is doing well, I wish I had planted more potatoes because the little new potatoes taste wonderful, so much better than shop bought ones.
I’ve
thought about harvesting what I have and then re seeding the potato
barrel to get at least two crops. I have onions and garlic in
containers and from what I see, they are all coming on ok. 
And
at last my new vegetable plot, which is in the middle of what was my
lawn, is ready to use. I know it’s very late in the season to plant root
veg but this vegetable garden has taken me so long to do. The weather
has held things up and the problems with the fence made it difficult to
get on with other things in the garden. Anyway, this evening I planted
two small rows of carrots, two rows of beetroot and two rows of parsnip.
Maybe I’ll get a late harvest from them or maybe I could overwinter
them and dig them in the spring. What ever happens, its good practice
for next year, I can start planting in spring. 
Despite
the high winds and the chaos building a fence I am getting a little
fruit. The white currants are ready for picking and the gooseberries are
ripening on the bush. 
I think its going to be a very poor harvest, I’ll be lucky to get enough to make one pot of jam, but considering the rain/ wind/ frost damage I’m surprised the fruit canes survived at all and with luck, they will be bigger and stronger next year and the harvest will be better. Even with out the awful conditions they are all young and not fully mature.
When
I look at my garden from the pavement I can’t help thinking other
people must think it’s a very odd front garden. Most people have flower
beds and neat lawns at the front of their house, my garden looks more
like an allotment or some sort of urban farm. That’s because the only
private garden I have is this little bit at the front, the land at the
back is all communal garden, shared with neighbours. 
The
fence still isn’t finished. More cement is needed in the post holes of
the panel’s already in situ and there is one final panel to go in at the
very end of the garden. 
My latest garden purchase
As
I have dug up most of my grass I no longer need my big electric hover
mower. It’s a hassel getting it out, getting the extension cable sorted
and then having to make a mad dash as soon as one little spot of rain
comes down. AND it takes up far to much space in my small shed. It’s too
big to fit around the tiny bit of grass I have. 
So I bought an eco friendly, non electric, hand mower. I thought I could save on electric and get some exercise all at the same time.
Trouble is…… I HATE self assemble……………..but this one was quite easy.
13 Comments
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forgetmenot525 wrote on Jun 29, '11
Oh
Brenda I wish................but not much chance of that, I get the
impression my neighbours think I'm a bit excentric.........can't imagine
why :-)
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Maybe your neighbours will copy your idea about the vegetable garden. 
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forgetmenot525 wrote on Jun 29, '11
Oh
me too Deb.............I've used it and much prefer it to my bigger
electric mower. I know if you have huge area of grass this little mower
would not be enough, but for me its just perfect...............AND .....
doesn't it look so cute and pretty sitting in my garden ??
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forgetmenot525 wrote on Jun 29, '11
Thanks
Vero, I love when its 'FREE'..........not just because you don't have
to pay but also because there is far too much waste and its good to
recycle things. If you look at the little plastic tubs on my table, they
were originally full of ready made 'fillers' for baked potatoes or
sandwiches. Using the containers sort of makes me feel better about
buying ready made fillers and not making my own . I also have a
collection of yogurt pots that I start seedlings off in..............
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veroniquemariquita wrote on Jun 29, '11, edited on Jun 29, '11
You
certainly are making great use of your gardening area. Love the idea of
the herbs in pots. So much prettier than just sticking them in the
ground. I have found a wonderful (free) container for freezing small
bits of stuff. Plastic tubs that Gerber baby food comes in. Our "baby"
is five now but she still loves eating the sweet potatoes and carrots
so that Grandma can have the containers. lol
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brendainmad wrote on Jun 29, '11
I
always enjoy seeing what's new in your garden. Maybe your neighbours
will copy your idea about the vegetable garden. I remember how good the
food was from our garden when I was growing up.
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I think it looks great. Why should there be a standard idea of what a front garden should look like?
Go for the vegetables, although I don't know how short your season is, I think there is hope. You could maybe put a fleece on at the end to lengthen things out a bit. We ate some new potatoes last night. :-) |
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starfishred wrote on Jun 28, '11
wonderful :) we had 37C yesterday it was 24C all night today it is suppose to rain a bit hope so it is hot
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forgetmenot525 wrote on Jun 28, '11
I
love basil, my basil this year hasn't done as well as last year but its
Ok and maybe it will pick up a bit now the weather is better.
Sage.............thats one I forgot, I should find some seeds and plant
it.
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esoterika713 wrote on Jun 28, '11
Very
nice. We have a co-op member do our lawns. Luckily, I don't have to
worry about it. Although I have to weed around the gardens which means
taking grass out here and there.
Your plants look wonderful. Gardens provide such happiness. By the way, we planted a lot of herbs this year too. We planted Basil (tons of it), sage,rosemary, thyme, parsley,coriander, zucchini, cucumbers,raspberries and tarragon. |
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