“Flaming June” was a common English expression in the early twentieth century, used to describe the hot, bright weather often associated with the month.
Following an exceptionally wet June in 1903, newspapers are said to have begun using the phrase ironically, and the association has lingered ever since.
This year June has certainly struggled to live up to its fiery reputation. After the warm, dry spell in May, many parts of the UK have seen a return to cooler temperatures, strong winds and frequent rain.
Some meteorologists refer to a recurring early-summer weather pattern as a “European monsoon”, when moist Atlantic air brings unsettled conditions to parts of Ireland, the UK and north-west Europe. Whether or not that description is entirely accurate, it certainly feels as though summer has temporarily gone into hiding.
For most of last week, gardeners and plants alike took a battering from the wind, something that is not entirely unusual for this time of year.
Every year our cardoon is damaged by strong winds. As it reaches full size each summer it invariably becomes a casualty of the wind.
Sunday was noticeably calmer and a little warmer, which made me wonder whether the first phase of this unsettled spell might be beginning to ease. Time will tell
Ruby certainly wasn’t impressed by last week’s weather. Any thoughts of longer walks had to be abandoned in favour of shorter outings around the park.
At Home and in the Garden
We managed to dodge the showers long enough to visit the local garden centre.
We returned home with a couple of fuchsias destined for the tubs on either side of the greenhouse door.
Martyn planted out some tomatoes into a raised bed behind the greenhouse and spent time converting the greenhouse into summer mode, while I tackled some weeding.
Bindweed has established itself across a sizeable area of the garden and is proving difficult to control as it threads its way through densely planted borders. For now, all I can do is keep pulling it out and try to prevent it from gaining the upper hand.
Martyn sowed some radish seed in a large pot standing on an upturned plant saucer in a tray of water. The idea is to create a moat that slugs and snails cannot cross. Whether it proves successful remains to be seen. Can slugs and snails swim?
At the Allotment
There was still plenty of planting to do at the allotment so, despite the unpleasant conditions, we carried on regardless.
Another bed of brassicas was planted and protected beneath enviromesh. It often feels as though every crop requires protection from something intent on eating it before we can.
Some of the parsnip seed that had been germinating on damp kitchen paper had developed tiny roots and needed sowing. The windy conditions made the job challenging, but it had to be done. More seed is currently being pre-germinated.
We also planted beetroot seedlings and sowed a row of spring onions.
Leeks went in too. Each young plant was dropped into a deep hole and watered in before the bed was covered with an enviromesh tunnel. As well as keeping pests at bay, the tunnel offers a degree of protection from the wind
At this stage of the season, weeding occupies a large proportion of our time on the plot and, unfortunately, doesn’t make for particularly exciting photographs.
The strawberries continue to crop well and we have started lifting our overwintered onions. Many have bolted, although there is still plenty of usable onion. I know that planting the sets later can help reduce bolting, but previous attempts at doing so have not worked for us and sets just don’t grow.
Finally
Although June wasn’t flaming last week, there was little we could do about it.
The crops still needed planting, the weeds still needed pulling and Ruby still expected her walks regardless of the weather.
For now, we’ll have to make the most of the dry spells, keep an eye on the skies and hope that summer turns up.
As always, until next time, stay safe and stay well.
