...when you have loads to say you have proportionately less time available in which to say it!  Its such a busy time of year that I have been spending the time gardening not writing. And to be fair there has been an electrician working in the house all week so the computer has been switched off for much of the time too!

The weather is in a cold and dry period. When the sun shines the greenhouses are very warm but the wind is still very cool. I connected up our leaky hose irrigation system yesterday because young plants are needing water. It had a hole in one of the transmission pipes but I have replaced this section with new hose and we are up and running (must remember to go outside and switch off when finished writing.)

The greenhouses are planted with tomatoes and cucumbers in final postitions. There is more lettuce germinating and some hardening off in the cold frame for planting out. Courgettes and pumpkins are still snug in the greenhouse. Runner beans are germinated, so too the pea beans. The borlottis have germinated but seem to have no leaves - I can't decide if the leaves never came or if they were eaten by something. I have some Purple Queen dwarf french beans hardening off too - I trying t stop them getting too tall and falling over this year. Or perhaps you will tell me that french beans always fall over! Last years parsley is just starting to bolt so I have planted new seed and await germination. The potatoes look lovely - their lush foliage makes the garden look as though something is really happening.

Its aquilegia time in the flower garden and although there is some naturalisation taking place we still have some really pretty varieties. I especially like the little white double thats growing amongst the Achillea 'The Pearl'. Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere is in bloom and enjoying life in the sun - its was behind an apple tree that died last year. The sweet peas are planted out and growing away quickly and we have noticed seedlings of a lovely annual poppy from last year so thats good news! And the lawn needs cutting of course! I have been planning some autumn tulip planting in my head - I think I will go for yellow as we are short of colour at this time of year.

I am off to switch the water off - happy gardening.

Susy