July/August 2021 - Week 5/1

This week there are a million jobs that need doing in the garden and I'm on a deadline because it is less than 2 weeks until we go away on our mini break.  As the jobs mostly comprise weeding and really needed doing yesterday, I've decided to spend less time blogging and more time working in the garden so I'll limit this to WPITG and the job list.  Enjoy the pictures 😁

What's poppin' in the garden

First of the prairie clover

First cosmos purity

First sunflower

Sunflower Peredovik

Black eyed Susans are popping out

Black Eyed Susans with Coneflowers and Shasta Daisies

Buttercup squashes are coming along nicely in the minefield

Buttercup squash

White Campion in the wildflower meadow, it's very pretty but considered an invasive species in North America so it might have to go

White Campion and tiny wasps or something

The naughty squirrel is really taking the mick in the bird box

Little blighter just sits there for hours

A ruby throated hummingbird on the runner bean flowers - no photo, it was too quick for me

Jobs for this week

Weed the north side of the house where the mystery big leaves have totally taken over July 28.  It was much easier to pull out the large leaves than it is to remove the small ones in spring and it had achieved the impossible and crowded out the monster hostas

Weed the herb bed July 28.  Now I need some part shade, mouse proof perennial plants for year round interest and attracting pollinators

Cut back the wildflower meadow July 27

Mow front lawn

Prick out foxgloves July 28.  Now I've got 25 seedlings in little pots which is plenty for my little garden and I've still got about 18 not pricked out yet.  I really don't like throwing away plants but I'm running out of pots so these might have to go.

Rationalise small patch of second veg bed that isn't covered in poppies August 1.  Pulled out a bunch of spent poppies and planted a row each of radicchio, and turnip tops and some bush beans 

Hunt down and pick giant runner beans hidden in foliage on the patio July 27