I know gardeners wanted rain but it’s been a bit extreme, especially for the taller herbaceous stock in beds and borders. If your perennials have been pounded then inserting twiggy hazel sticks into the clumps will give a more natural look than just tying string around the fallen foliage.
Prevention is better than cure so endeavour to tie in plants that haven’t yet been affected and also new growth of climbers where necessary. Removing the soggy, rain-spoiled flowers from bedding plants will encourage new blooms.
My veg plot is looking more like a jungle every day. Warm soil and wet weather has produced incredible growth and the runner beans are indeed running up their bamboos. I had to tie one or two in to start them off and it was the same with the sweet peas but once they’ve got a grip, they’re away.
Harvested an early crop of peas (Feltham First), many of which didn’t even make it to the pot as they are so delicious raw. I’ll replace these with a late variety like Kelvedon Wonder. Sowings can be made this month and next for welcome crops in September and October.
I spent a therapeutic 10 minutes picking off the hungry caterpillars from my cauliflowers and cabbages. Took great delight in leaving them on the wall for the birds though maybe I should have coated them in chocolate or candy!
I’ve cut back all the Green Alkanet in the lane. It’s a boisterous plant but at least it should have a second flush of flowers late summer now, as will many early flowering perennials if cut back immediately after flowering.
Lynne Allbutt – From the Archive.
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