At this time of year annual vegetables are at their peak but the warm, dry weather does not suit some of the perennials so well. I have removed all the eggs I can see from the kales, (there have not been too many), but something very tiny is making lace doileys out of some leaves. However I know not to be downhearted as this is not their best time of year. They do not seem to appreciate the warm sunshine and plants in the shadier areas are looking happier.
Keeping a close eye on the plants means that I can look after them individually. I do not generally water established perennials in the garden (those in pots obviously need daily water). I want them to be generally able to withstand whatever the weather brings, however some have plants suffered from lack of water and have been given the necessary drink to perk them up. One was starting to lose leaves so I took off those that were very droopy to help it conserve both strength and moisture.
The perennial roots – oca, Jerusalem artichoke, Chinese artichoke, skirret and others continue to grow. Some of the Jerusalem artichokes must be over six foot tall now. They certainly tower over me!
My partner did not want the growing space in the garden entirely devoted to perennial veggies, so we took up some of the lawn earlier in the year and planted rocket, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers and spring onions. We have had lots of rocket which is now past its best, two baby cucumbers – the best I have tasted for years; and now the peas are going strong. We also have tomatoes in a baby growhouse and have been picking them since June! I suspect that having the warmest, driest summer for at least six years has helped enormously.
Here are a nibbled Daubenton kale and an un-nibbled plant!
gardens of delight 