Summer must have taken to heart my comment last week that it had arrived early. It swiftly retreated, the temperature dropped and the sun paid us only a fleeting visit.
It has been just wet enough for any plans involving the outdoors to be constantly under review.
We had planned a day out at Dunham Massey but ended up staying local, which meant several visits to Nostell. We are avoiding Temple Newsam until it recovers from the damage caused by the recent music festival.
At Home and in the Garden
Martyn has set up supports for the tomatoes in the greenhouse.
We seem to have more success with parsnips when we pre-germinate the seeds. These have been scattered on damp kitchen paper and placed in a plastic bag. We need to keep a close eye on them, as they should be sown as soon as a tiny root appears.
At the Allotment
There is a constant battle to stay on top of everything at the moment. Although we haven’t had a great deal of rain, there has been enough to keep both the weeds and the grass growing steadily.
There are still things to plant, but we also need to find time for weeding and general maintenance.
The potatoes are looking well, with the early varieties now flowering. I hope this is a sign that good things are happening below ground.
The broad beans are flowering too. Their perfume is beautiful and will hopefully attract any bumblebees in the vicinity. I’ll be keeping a watchful eye out for signs of blackfly infestation.
Martyn planted another bed of climbing beans.
While he was busy doing that, I planted some seed-raised dahlias amongst a bed of self-sown cosmos.
Another bed is full of self-sown marigolds and poppies. I removed the weeds growing amongst them and popped a few annuals into the gaps that were created.
The strawberries are ripening quickly and there is fruit to pick on every visit. What a treat!
Out and About
Nostell
We actually had three afternoon walks at Nostell this week.
We were keen to check up on the cygnets but, on our first visit, the swan family were nowhere to be seen, which was rather concerning.
Happily, on our second visit they were back on the lake and all five cygnets were present.
On the third visit we had an even better view, as the parents and cygnets were out of the water and resting on the grass.
The cygnets are looking and behaving much more like miniature swans now.
We had to keep Ruby at a safe distance. Ruby would not hurt the swans; rather, the swans could be a danger to Ruby.
As I was taking photographs, one of the parent birds came stomping towards me, followed by the cygnets.
I’m not sure whether it was trying to warn me off or thought I had food. I didn’t stay around to find out.
Alongside the swans, ducks lazed on the grass. I spotted only one female; the others were all male. I assume the females were busy raising young, although for some reason we rarely see any ducklings.
Instead of heading through the woods, we decided to follow a path through the meadow. Although cattle have been moved into some areas of the estate, the meadow is usually cattle-free until after the hay has been cut.
A path is mown through the long grass and, as we walked along, we spotted a couple of wild orchids.
Every year, in the same spot in the meadow, a circle of daisies appears. This coincides with an area that is always boggy during the winter months.
On our second visit we headed along the wooded path, where we spotted a lone clump of foxgloves. I would have expected to see more.
There were masses of herb-robert and wood avens, whose flowers are so small that they are often overlooked.
On our third visit, a new path was pointed out to us which skirted around the area where the cattle were grazing. It is not a good idea to take a dog into a field containing cows. Signs warn that if cattle approach you, you should let your dog off the lead. The idea is that the cows’ attention remains focused on the dog rather than the owner, and a dog can easily outrun them. Knowing Ruby, she would be far more likely either to hide behind us or demand to be picked up.
The route afforded us a welcome change of scenery.
The hogweed flowers looked very pretty but were best admired from a distance. Their sap can cause skin blistering when exposed to sunlight. Parsnip foliage can have a similar effect.
Finally
The weather may not have got the memo that it is June, but nature seems to be carrying on regardless. The cygnets are thriving, the strawberries are ripening and the allotment is filling up nicely.
Hopefully, summer hasn’t disappeared altogether; it’s just taking a short break.
As always until next time, stay safe and stay well.
I have got five tomato plants, but am growing outside in pots. What are those collars around the stems, please?