We’re all busy bees!
The hot weather has been good for our honeybees, which have been very active. Some days I’ve had to re-think my gardening plans so as not to disturb them and one day there were so many around I donned my bee suit to dig potatoes! They are particularly drawn to a small leaved lime tree in the orchard that’s in full flower and smells wonderful. They’ve also made up for lost time with swarming and we’ve caught and re-homed three swarms in a week. We’re happy to see them go to new homes with fellow beekeepers as we have five hives and don’t have the space or time to look after more.
Garden plants are less happy with the heat. I’m cutting back or deadheading those that are flagging in the hope of a second flush of flowers. Looking good still is Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’, which does well here despite the dry soil. Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is striking and buddleias are in flower, ranging in colour from deep to light purple.
Courgettes, carrots and potatoes are being harvested along with the first tomatoes in the greenhouse. Unfortunately, a rabbit got under the veg plot fence and feasted on lettuce so I now have to sow replacements!
Tales from a Country Garden 