{"id":44840,"date":"2026-07-19T10:27:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T09:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/?p=44840"},"modified":"2026-07-20T08:49:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T07:49:56","slug":"still-waiting-for-rain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/susan\/still-waiting-for-rain\/","title":{"rendered":"Still Waiting for Rain"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"44840\" class=\"elementor elementor-44840\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1ca72b8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1ca72b8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9782ceb\" data-id=\"9782ceb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdf99d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cdf99d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The drought continues. We are doing our best to keep things alive in both the garden and on the allotment, but our efforts can only go so far. With so little rain and days of relentless sunshine, the soil dries out almost as quickly as we water it. Tap water keeps plants going, but it&#8217;s no substitute for a good soaking from nature.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Last week also brought evidence of an unexpected visitor to the allotment\u2014one that could present yet another challenge in an already difficult growing season.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The effects of the prolonged dry weather are becoming increasingly obvious beyond our own plot. Grass has disappeared from many places altogether. Allotment paths have turned to straw, and on our regular walks with Ruby, areas that would normally be lush and green are now yellow, brittle and parched. The only patches of green left at ground level are those sheltered by shade.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2559bf8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"2559bf8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;columns&quot;:2,&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;16:9&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1983.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2559bf8\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1983\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NTAsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTgzLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyNTU5YmY4In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1983.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1982.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2559bf8\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1982\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NDksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTgyLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyNTU5YmY4In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1982.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1980.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2559bf8\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1980\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NDgsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTgwLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyNTU5YmY4In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1980.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1979.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2559bf8\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1979\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NDcsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTc5LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyNTU5YmY4In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1979.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1977.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2559bf8\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1977\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NDYsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTc3LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyNTU5YmY4In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1977.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1973.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"2559bf8\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1973\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NDQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTczLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyNTU5YmY4In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1973.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b57eab4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b57eab4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1975.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-44845\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1975.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1975.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1975.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1975.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4211fef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4211fef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As the week progressed, temperatures eased a little, allowing us to swap early morning walks for a day out to Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey. Unfortunately, the day didn&#8217;t quite go to plan.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dd4881 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6dd4881\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Home and Garden<\/span><\/h3><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">We are just about managing to keep the new borders alive, and one of the newly planted clematis is now in flower.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44884\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2036.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2036.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2036.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2036.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2036.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12d3eb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"12d3eb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The patio tubs continue to provide plenty of colour despite the heat.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29c7451 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"29c7451\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;columns&quot;:3,&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;16:9&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2025.jpeg?fit=1000%2C568&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"29c7451\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_2025\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NzUsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18yMDI1LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyOWM3NDUxIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2025.jpeg?fit=1000%2C568&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"568\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2023.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"29c7451\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_2023\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NzQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18yMDIzLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyOWM3NDUxIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2023.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2018.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"29c7451\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_2018\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NzIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18yMDE4LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIyOWM3NDUxIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2018.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82a84f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82a84f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Mini cucumbers are now coming thick and fast, making up for some of the disappointments elsewhere.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44871\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2017.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2017.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2017.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2017.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2017.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-367b717 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"367b717\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Our trail camera also captured another visit from the fox. Perhaps it comes into the garden far more often than we realise.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44851\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DSCF0517.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DSCF0517.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DSCF0517.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DSCF0517.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DSCF0517.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2096d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2096d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">At the Allotment<\/span><\/h3><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Last week followed a now familiar routine of watering, weeding, harvesting and lifting another disappointing potato crop.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e250651 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"e250651\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;columns&quot;:2,&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;16:9&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2033.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"e250651\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_2033\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4ODIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18yMDMzLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJlMjUwNjUxIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2033.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1971.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"e250651\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1971\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NDMsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTcxLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJlMjUwNjUxIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1971.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac24f43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac24f43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2046.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-44916\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2046.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2046.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2046.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2046.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e71ef25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e71ef25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This time Martyn dug up two of our trial varieties\u2014<\/span><span class=\"s2\">Jacky<\/span><span class=\"s1\"> and <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Harry<\/span><span class=\"s1\">. Both produced mainly small tubers, but there was one significant difference. Around a third of Harry&#8217;s potatoes showed the small holes typically caused by wireworms, whereas Jacky emerged virtually unscathed.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44842\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1966.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1966.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1966.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1966.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1966.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As both varieties were planted at the same time, close together in the same bed, it suggests that Harry may simply be more susceptible.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44841\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1963.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1963.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1963.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1963.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1963.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88a5e34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88a5e34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Apparently, several factors influence how attractive different potato varieties are to wireworms. These include the chemicals released by the roots and developing tubers, which vary between varieties, along with skin characteristics while the tubers are forming. Some varieties simply seem more appealing than others.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Whatever the reason, Harry has now been crossed off our list. Has anyone else grown Harry, and if so, what was your experience?<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/july-2026-video\/#wire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lifting Harry and Jacky<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a578b16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a578b16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I&#8217;ve finally admitted defeat with the sweet peas. Their stems are virtually non-existent, and it seems many gardeners have had similar problems this year.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c5da05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c5da05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Thankfully, the courgettes are now in full production after receiving gallons of water over recent weeks.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a23c5dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a23c5dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The wind may have flattened the cardoons, but the bees don&#8217;t seem to mind. They are still busy browsing the flowers and, with the plants now near the ground, we have an even better view of all the activity.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f31135 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"5f31135\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;columns&quot;:2,&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;16:9&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_6859.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"5f31135\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_6859\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NzgsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR182ODU5LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI1ZjMxMTM1In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_6859.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_6858.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"5f31135\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_6858\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NzcsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR182ODU4LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI1ZjMxMTM1In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_6858.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cc2de8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cc2de8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">One unexpected discovery on the plot was several piles of roe deer droppings. I&#8217;d occasionally heard reports of deer in the area, but I never imagined they would venture onto the allotment site itself. Since finding the evidence, I&#8217;ve been told they have indeed been seen there.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44876\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2026.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2026.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2026.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2026.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2026.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A railway line runs alongside the site, and I&#8217;ve since learned that deer often use railway embankments as wildlife corridors. With high walls and fencing on two sides, my guess is they&#8217;ve found a gap in one of the boundary hedges.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fa3f4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0fa3f4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Earlier in the season we noticed some of our pea plants had been nibbled and assumed wood pigeons were the culprits. We covered the peas with netting, but now we&#8217;re wondering if we&#8217;d blamed the wrong offender. Peas and brassicas are apparently among a deer&#8217;s favourite foods. Fortunately, all our brassicas are protected under Enviromesh, and we&#8217;ve now netted more of the peas as well.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9182cf3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"9182cf3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;columns&quot;:3,&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;16:9&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2027.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"9182cf3\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_2027\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NzksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18yMDI3LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI5MTgyY2YzIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2027.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2029.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"9182cf3\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_2029\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4ODAsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18yMDI5LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI5MTgyY2YzIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2029.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2030.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"9182cf3\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_2030\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4ODEsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18yMDMwLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI5MTgyY2YzIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2030.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3954307 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3954307\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I love seeing wildlife, and I&#8217;d be delighted to know deer are living nearby. I&#8217;d just prefer they didn\u2019t venture onto the allotment. Perhaps the prolonged dry weather is forcing more animals to search further afield for food and water. My sister, for example, has an army of hedgehogs visiting her garden every night this year.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60afd40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60afd40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Out and About<\/span><\/h3><h4>Fountains Abbey<\/h4><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">By Thursday the temperature had dropped enough for us to safely take Ruby out for the day.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Our plan was to visit Beningbrough first before continuing on to Fountains Abbey. Unfortunately, as we approached Beningbrough we were greeted by the all too familiar road closure. We followed the diversion signs until they simply&#8230; stopped. To make matters worse, the satnav insisted on directing us back to the closed road.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Rather than spend the morning driving round in circles, we abandoned Plan A and headed straight to Fountains Abbey instead. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-708d568 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"708d568\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44855\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1988.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1988.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1988.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1988.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1988.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The contrast with previous visits was striking. Last time the sluices in the water gardens were open to control high water levels. <\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44857\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1993.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1993.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1993.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1993.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1993.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This time there was barely enough water to flow over the weirs, which had been reduced to little more than a trickle. The lakes were so low that the swans were standing on the lake bed while preening. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d37e62d elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"d37e62d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;columns&quot;:2,&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;16:9&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1987.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d37e62d\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1987\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NTQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTg3LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJkMzdlNjJkIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1987.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1989.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d37e62d\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IMG_1989\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ4NTYsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9vc3NldHR3ZWF0aGVyLmNvbVwvZ2FyZGVuaW5nMjAyMlwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDdcL0lNR18xOTg5LmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJkMzdlNjJkIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1989.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-width=\"1000\" data-height=\"563\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdc2f58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bdc2f58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The lawns in the water gardens remained impressively green, so I suspect they are being watered.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44929\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1992.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1992.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1992.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1992.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1992.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8822d2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8822d2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We also noticed information about plans to improve the entrance at the deer park end, with work due to begin this autumn on a new visitor centre and caf\u00e9.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44858\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1997.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1997.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1997.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1997.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1997.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cf7bcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cf7bcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">On the way back we wandered through the abbey ruins, where I made what could only be described as a rather dramatic entrance by missing a step and ending up in an undignified heap on the stone floor. <\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44870\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2013.jpeg?resize=1000%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2013.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2013.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2013.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2013.jpeg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Thankfully, I escaped with nothing worse than a skinned knee, although my trousers weren&#8217;t so fortunate and will have to be written off. On the bright side, they probably saved my knee from much worse.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-161af9e elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"161af9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2002.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2002\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2003.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2003\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2004.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2004\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2005.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2005\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2006.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2006\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2007.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2007\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2008.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2008\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2011.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2011\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2012.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2012\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"10 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2009.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2009\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"11 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2010.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_2010\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"12 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1985.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_1985\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"13 of 13\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1984.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"IMG_1984\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77ff96b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"77ff96b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Finally<\/span><\/h3><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Gardening has a habit of keeping us grounded. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We never quite have everything under control. The weather, wildlife and even an enjoyable day out can all throw up unexpected challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Looking back over the week, though, I&#8217;m choosing to wear my positive glasses. We have some welcome harvests to enjoy, the garden is still hanging on despite the drought and, perhaps most importantly, I&#8217;m still in one piece. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Now, if someone could arrange a nice, steady overnight rainfall, both the plants and I would breathe a great big sigh of relief.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d7ca91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d7ca91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As always until next time stay safe and stay well.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb73635 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fb73635\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-eac8135\" data-id=\"eac8135\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ea5b428\" data-id=\"ea5b428\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The drought continues. We are doing our best to keep things alive in both the garden and on the allotment, but our efforts can only go so far. With so little rain and days of relentless sunshine, the soil dries out almost as quickly as we water it. Tap water keeps plants going, but it&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_eb_attr":"","ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"ocs-susans-post-sidebar","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[25,69,59,71,21,24,70,68,18,26,65,19,67,73,20,52,72,27,66,62,23],"class_list":["post-44840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-susan","tag-allotment","tag-clematis","tag-courgettes","tag-deer","tag-drought","tag-dry-weather","tag-fountains-abbey","tag-foxes","tag-gardening","tag-home-garden","tag-july-garden","tag-kitchen-garden","tag-mcucumbers","tag-national-trust","tag-peas","tag-potatoes","tag-studley-royal","tag-summer-gardening","tag-sweet-peas","tag-vegetable-growing","tag-watering","entry","has-media"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2035.jpeg?fit=1000%2C563&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/wp-js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