Suddenly plants that shot from the soil have slowed down their urge to get as tall as possible, and instead have set their minds to producing seed or fruit.
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| My echinacea has flowers |
Since we have had a couple of very rainy days this week, everything is looking fresh and sparkly instead of washed out, dusty and tired. That patch of figs next door is starting to waft that fig scent I adore, I wish I could take it home with me. Us teachers are on our last legs, one more week to go, but a few hours a day in my cottagy garden or in my balcony jungle keep me going and help me combat the stresses and frustrations that work throws at me. There was a hummingbird moth on my canna a few days ago, it made my day!
So what is going on in Hunky Dory? Well.
My tomatoes are as tall as me, and a few even taller, and their friends the marigolds are so leggy that they have fallen over, trying to trip me up on the greenhouse path. So I have bound them to the tomato stakes, where they cling like a tipsy woman on Friday night.
(Before you take offence and accuse me of sexism, tipsy men don't cling, they are loud and make stupid jokes, so I could not use them for a metaphor)
I have not taken off the bottom shoots and leaves, so they are not half as full of flowers as those of my clever neighbours, which suits me just fine, as I don't know what to do with kilos and kilos of tomatoes. Note to self: eight tomato plants are six too many. I live and learn.
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| Slowly some height at last |
But the two cucumbers are perfect. I can just about keep up with their production, and give away a cucumber here and there, but not so often that folk turn away when they see me coming whilst trying to avoid the allotmenteer desperation. Two paprika plants are fine as well. And about my two courgettes, well, the slugs have discovered them and one of them is not a pretty sight.
But the flowers are well into their stride now. When I approach my borders I can hear a buzz from metres away. All kinds of bees and hoverflies are very busy, and there are plenty of butterflies as well, with the cabbage white most dominant.
Every time I enter the greenhouse surprised butterflies flutter around, and I have met some small birds several times. Mr Waddles is hiding amongst the veg, I have not seen him for weeks now. I hope he's okay. Must find out how old toads can become.
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| The side |
Okay, time to slice up some cucumber. Next time I have some exciting news for you, so keep your eyes peeled at Instagram@songsmith2962 . Have a lovely weekend!
