Heating up

The temperatures are rising and so is the grass.

Thankfully, Herbie is repaired and back in action.

Replacement wheels, axles and bearings are fitted and two belts purchased as a back up.
So, it's time to mow..............................


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Upon completion I discovered this little fellow trotting around the garden. Thankfully, he was small enough to pass under the blades without being injured.......

.........so I placed him under one of the conifers.

Things are coming along in the garden too, despite my terribly late start.

Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Onions and a volunteer Potato all seem to be standing up to these sudden increases in heat which have hit the area. Also in there are Bee Balm (to replace the unobtainable African Blue Basil), Mint, Spicy Globe Basil and a whole load of Dill which has made an almighty comeback despite being "dug back in" at the end of last season.

Once again, the Mesclun has been impressive.......................................


These fresh and spicy tasting greens make an excellent side salad and the more you crop them back, the more they grow. Sadly, now that the temperatures are on the rise, the plants are starting to bolt so these handy greens are about at an end.

My experiment with the Fingerling Potatoes looks good up to now........................

They started off in around 3 to 4 inches of soil at the bottom and I've gradually topped it up as the plants have grown. A couple of weeks ago I reached the top of the barrel so that's as far as I can go. The plants are forming flowers now so it's important for me to keep them moist from now until a couple of weeks before harvesting. This is the period of most tuber development and allowing them to dry out can seriously affect any crop I manage to get.

Around the front of the house the tiny Rosebush, sent to me by a friend in Canada, has had lots of lovely small blooms.


Sadly it also had a whole lot of Aphids too. I doused them with Diatomacious Earth and the bugs have gone. A close inspection earlier this week revealed a lot more buds are forming so there could well be more colour to come.

Both fruit trees have set plenty of fruit. The last two years have seen next to nothing develope due to late frosts

The Fuji Apple...................................



............and the Peach..........................



.....may well supply a modest harvest later in the season. I'm planning on adorning them both with some kind of glittery bird deterrent in an attempt to improve my chances.