The jury's out as to whether or not we're going to have any cobs from our sweetcorn, at least ones we can eat. We have the flowery bits at the top, and the shaggy hairy bits at the sides (sorry hope that's not too technical) but as it's already nearly the last week in August, and given the leaden skies, I'm not too optimistic. I'm rethinking our veg beds and probably have to admit that more sun is required for longer each day in order for crops to thrive. How to achieve this is what I'm thinking about since the veg area is largely surrounded by trees and a high fence, both of which cast great shadows. Maybe I'll just keep to those things that do well like beetroot, salad leaves, runner beans and courgettes. We have the new asparagus bed so will, of course, hang on to that for the next three years (!) until we can taste the first spears, but other fancy veg might be jettisoned. We are really enjoying our potatoes though and I'm still harvesting those as and when required. I am leaving them in the soil for as long as poss to avoid any chance of them going green in storage. So, definitely more of those next year too.The rest of the garden is looking good, with sweetpeas still flourishing and despite the stems getting shorter and shorter, the blooms are still wonderful and so so fragrant. Cosmos are also coming into their own, as are the dahlias with tight orange and vibrant red blooms gracing the borders now. My newly acquired euphorbia melifora cutting has established well and is upright and strong and this inspired me to acquire a few more euphorbias, all five of which are now planted in the borders and for which I have high hopes of success next year. A cutting of evening primrose, kindly given to me by my friend Mary, also appears to have taken well so fingers crossed there too.
In recent weeks the garden has come under scrutiny from a variety of friends visiting for the first time, from Wales and Derbyshire as well as some more local who've not been here before. All complementary comments (five 'wows' from Kathy) have been most gratefully received! For a change I too have been visiting other gardens - some for the first time, others repeat visits, but all of which have given me inspiration to think ahead to possible changes I'd like to make in our plot. I have a plan to devote more of the large flower bed to big grasses and shrubs, making it more manageable - at least that's the theory. But that would restrict my space for sweet peas which I really can't do without, so more thinking is needed. Whatever the outcome, I know the garden will continue to give me pleasure, as well as a reason to get up and move, regardless of the weather.
