IN THE HIATUS, FLYING FLOWERS

 In August there is often a hiatus in the garden where things are either over or not yet coming. On the trees here the rowan has berries - in early August! The seasons seem awry. 

We have had a lot of low pressure and heavy showers which flatten plants I have not staked etc.

In the veg garden we are harvesting broccoli (Broccoli cheese tonight as no cauliflowers.) 

The first September raspberries are ready and I have pruned out the old wood from the black currants and trimmed back the side shoots on the red currants. The Conference pear is loaded with fruit and I am nurturing a secret marrow.

In pruning the red currants I came across a bird's nest I had not noticed when picking the fruit. It is probably a goldfinch nest though I had hoped it might be that of a long-tailed tit - but no lichen on the outside.

The insects are struggling with the heavy rain. This half drowned bee in a cosmos flower was given a little glucose to help it revive.

Once the sun comes out the cosmos Purity shines as does the self sown feverfew.

In the shaded area under the big sycamore the white honesty has self sown also forming a carpet of leaves. Some will need transplanting for next year as they are biennial.

Monday - the so-called flower meadow will need cutting soon and there are plenty of yellow rattle seed heads for next year so it will parasitise the grass roots and keep the grass down a bit letting the flowers dominate. The flowers have been there this year but it is clear that it is going to take a few years to properly establish what I want - a hay meadow. 

R has been dead heading the alchemilla,  I mowed lawns and found a willow tree snapped off at base so had to move that. 

The roe buck is getting inquisitive sniffing the camera.

Also badgers trundling through, one thin one, one fat one.

The petunias in the pot outside the kitchen are a mass of flowers though now I wish I had more than one colour.

One flower that I love is the masterwort or astrantia. the delicacy of the petals and stamens and the gentle shades of pink and green are a delight.

Friday - so time to strim the meadow grass (well Sam did it) and leave the cut stuff for a day or two before removing so seed can settle. The area has been scalped as yellow rattle needs contact with the soil. More meadow seed ordered.

Weeding, R cutting back catmint - we should get regrowth though the oriental poppies regrowth is very poor.

Sam (gardener) thought he saw a RED squirrel in the big tree but I think it was probably just another grey. Still, we live in hope. 

My hands are tingling from pulling out nettles - should have worn gloves.

Lots of butterflies now - small copper, speckled wood, painted lady, gatekeeper, large white, and these four - small tortoiseshell, small white (caterpillars on the broccoli), red admiral and peacock. There are also commas around.

At first I thought this might be a fritillary but it is, of course, The Wall butterfly - found by the pond.

Flowers with wings? I have just looked out the window and the breeze is blowing the feathery seeds off the white rosebay like a snowstorm.

Cup of tea and a biscuit.