2025/36 - Feeling hot, hot, hot!

 And yes, heatwave nr. 3 of 2025 is a fact! This morning I walked Puck at 06.00 a.m. with 18° already, and today it is expected to reach 31°, which is officially bloody hot for the Dutch Delta. That is 87.8 Fahrenheit for you on the other side of the world.

I know, I know, when you live in Mexico or South-West Asia (like many of you lovely readers do), 87.8 is peanuts, all in a normal day. But to us Northern delta dwellers it is the talk of the day. Emergency heat plans are unfolded. Old people in care homes are forbidden to leave the shade and get forcefed ice lollies, I kid you not. And for gardeners like me it means water your pots or suffer the consequences!

The Blackberries, which should be at their best now, are shriveling on the bush. There are not many birds about either, so they don't get eaten either. Such a waste! I pick them though.

My Daylillies are doing well, but I have to admit I water them. That border next to the greenhouse is dry as a desert, they would not survive otherwise.

And this naughty Bindweed is benefiting from the spillover water that drips from the tap when I fill my can.

The Lavatera looks a lot like its wild cousin.

Another plant that takes advantage of spilled water is the Nasturtium. This one is scrambling over a compost heap next to another tap.

And so is the Pumpkin.  They are in a plot which is a bit neglected, but do they mind? Not at all.

Meanwhile I rejoice in my perennial Lathyrus, which does not get watered, but is doing very well now. Mind you, I do deadhead! It is not the mass of flowers which I seek yet, but it will get there next year, it is still young.

The perfection of Scabiosa. As long as I deadhead this, it will keep going for at least another month. The bees love it, as do I.

Totally different location! This is the garden of De Bollaarshoeve, situated on the Bollaarsdijk in Oostvoorne. It is staffed by people with a mental disorder and I go there because their homebaked apple pie is lovely. And obviously because the concept appeals to me. But seriously, that apple pie!

And this garden I stumbled across when I cycled to Oostvoorne with a friend. Their Dahlias are beautiful. As you can see, their soil is very sandy, which is not surprising, as this plot is in the Oostvoorne dunes. 

It gladdens my heart when I see people making an effort to garden. Next weekend it is the next round of the open garden scheme again, and I'll be sure to show you what gardens I visited.

Alright, I'll love you and leave you. Do follow this blog when you like it. And if you want to read more of my musings, click on the link to my website: Renée Grashoff Schrijft A translation button is provided. Bye!

Renée Grashoff