Category: Six On Saturday

Six on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations.

Phew, what a scorcher! It’s at least three weeks since we had any rain here in Berkshire and it may be another week before there’s even the prospect of any. I was tempted to make this week’s update pictures of things dying from the effects of extreme heat and lack of water, except there would be many more than six to choose from. Also it would be defeatist and I think gardeners are by nature optimists. Gosh how we need to be at the moment. From amongst the wilted and withered, here are my six:

One – Dahlia ‘Missis Amy’ flowering in one of the raised beds in the (very hot and sunny) front garden. The first time I’ve grown dahlias so pretty chuffed.

Two – Crocosmia ‘Hot Spot’ doesn’t seem to mind its hot spot in the garden.

Three – Despite putting shading over the greenhouse, the temperature is still reaching over 40 degrees at times.

Four – This hosta has found itself a shady spot in order to produce flower stalks. Garden hose in background model’s own.

Five – Squash trying to make a getaway from one of the raised beds in the front garden. This photo was taken a week ago and there are now fruits forming but you’ll have to take my word for it because it was way too hot to go out to take another picture.

Six – Rather out of focus bee trying to get the last of the nectar from a drumstick allium.

Do check out the posts of other participants by following the links in the comments section of Jim’s post. If you fancy taking part yourself but don’t know where to start, here’s the participant’s guide.

Six on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations.

Another heatwave on the way. This is now getting boring as well as frustrating. On the bright side a few of the things I featured last week have moved on significantly. Plus I had my first ever sighting of a hummingbird hawk-moth. It was visting the verbena bonariensis in the front garden but I wasn’t quick enough to grab a picture.

One – The first rings of flowers have appeared on the teasels. This is the first time I’ve grown them and what strange beasts they are turning out to be.

Two – The first crop of Charlotte potatoes grown in a bag planted up on 30th March. Hardly any blemishes, thin skins and delicious taste. Admittedly, it’s not the most cost-effective way of growing potatoes.

Three – Continuing the theme, we harvested the first climbing French beans (the variety is ‘Cobra’) and a couple of admittedly very small ‘Romanesco’ courgettes. Not a great haul but enough to accompany supper.

Four – The borage seems to be loving the weather. It was only sown a couple of months ago and is already flowering.

Five – Not far away the fennel has also started to flower.

Six – Strangely enough, although our pond has almost dried up because of the lack of rain, the plants in there don’t seem to mind. Here’s pickerel weed enjoying what is now more like a bog garden than a pond.

Do check out the posts of other participants by following the links in the comments section of Jim’s post. If you fancy taking part yourself but don’t know where to start, here’s the participant’s guide.